Sikhism
Sikhism emerged in the late 15th century in the Punjab region as a spiritual movement that emphasised devotion to one God, social equality, and community service. It developed during a period when Indian society was deeply influenced by religious divisions, caste hierarchies, and ritualism.
The founder Guru Nanak Dev (1469–1539 CE) advocated a path based on truthful living, devotion to God, and service to humanity. Sikhism evolved under the guidance of ten successive Gurus, who institutionalised the faith and shaped its social, religious, and martial traditions.
The Guru Granth Sahib, compiled by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan in 1604, is regarded as the eternal Guru of Sikhism. It contains devotional hymns written in Gurmukhi script using Sant Bhasha, a liturgical language combining elements of Punjabi, Hindi-Urdu and other North Indian dialects.
Sikh teachings revolve around principles such as Ik Onkar (One God), Kirat Karo (earn an honest living), and Seva (selfless service). The religion strongly rejects caste discrimination and promotes community equality, symbolised through practices like Langar (community kitchen) where people of all backgrounds eat together.
Major Features of Sikhism
| Feature | Explanation |
| Monotheism | Sikhism believes in one formless, timeless, all-pervading God (Ik Onkar). |
| Guru Granth Sahib | The sacred scripture containing teachings of Sikh Gurus and saints. |
| Equality and Social Justice | Rejects caste system and promotes equality among all humans. |
| Seva (Service) | Selfless service to humanity is considered a central religious duty. |
| Langar Tradition | Community kitchen in gurdwaras where everyone eats together regardless of social status. |
| Five Ks (Articles of Faith) | Symbols of Sikh identity followed by initiated Sikhs. |
| Spiritual Philosophy | Emphasises truthful living, remembrance of God (Naam Simran), and service to humanity. |
| Community Orientation | Sikhism emphasises collective welfare and brotherhood. |
The Five Ks of Sikhism
| Article of Faith | Meaning | Symbolic Significance |
| Kesh | Uncut hair | Acceptance of God’s will and natural form |
| Kara | Iron bracelet | Discipline, unity, and remembrance of God |
| Kanga | Wooden comb | Cleanliness and order |
| Kachera | Special undergarment | Moral restraint and modesty |
| Kirpan | Ceremonial sword | Courage and duty to protect the weak |
Major Sikh Pilgrimage Centres in India
| State/Region | Pilgrimage Centre | Location | Significance / Key Details |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Gurudwara Chatti Patshahi | Srinagar | Located near Hari Parbat Fort; dedicated to the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind. |
| Gurudwara Nanak Dev Ji | Leh | Associated with Guru Nanak’s journey to Tibet, commemorating the travels of the first Sikh Guru. | |
| Himachal Pradesh | Gurudwara Paonta Sahib | Paonta Sahib (Yamuna River banks) | Dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh; he composed parts of the Dasam Granth here and established a martial academy for Sikhs. |
| Uttarakhand | Hemkund Sahib | Chamoli district (Himalayas) | Located near a glacial lake; dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh; accessible only for a few months due to extreme weather. |
| Punjab | Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) | Amritsar | Holest shrine of Sikhism; established in 1604 by Guru Arjan; surrounded by the Amrit Sarovar (holy tank). |
| Akal Takht | Amritsar | One of the five Takhts (seats of authority); established by Guru Hargobind representing spiritual and temporal authority. | |
| Gurudwara Tarn Taran Sahib | Tarn Taran | Founded by Guru Arjan; famous for its large Sarovar (holy tank). | |
| Anandpur Sahib | Rupnagar | Founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur; site where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in 1699; Hola Mohalla festival is celebrated here. | |
| Damdama Sahib | Bathinda | One of the five Takhts; site where Guru Gobind Singh compiled the final version of Guru Granth Sahib. | |
| Fatehgarh Sahib | Fatehgarh Sahib | Associated with the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons — Fateh Singh and Zoravar Singh, who were bricked alive by the Mughals. | |
| Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak | Gurdaspur | Site where Guru Nanak spent his final years; linked to the Kartarpur Corridor leading to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. | |
| Delhi | Gurudwara Bangla Sahib | New Delhi | Associated with Guru Har Krishan, who helped cure people during a smallpox epidemic. |
| Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib | Chandni Chowk, Delhi | Built at the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by Aurangzeb in 1675 for defending religious freedom. | |
| Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib | Near Parliament House, Delhi | Marks the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur’s body was cremated by Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara. | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Gurudwara Sri Guru Ka Tal | Agra | Marks the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur was arrested by the Mughal authorities before being taken to Delhi. |
| Bihar | Takht Sri Patna Sahib | Patna | One of the five Takhts; birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. |
| West Bengal | Gurudwara Bari Sangat | Kolkata | Founded by Guru Nanak during his visit to Bengal; later became an important Sikh centre in eastern India. |
| Maharashtra | Takht Sri Hazur Sahib | Nanded | One of the five Takhts; place where Guru Gobind Singh spent his final days and passed away; houses his weapons and relics. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor | Gwalior | Associated with Guru Hargobind’s imprisonment and release from Gwalior Fort along with 52 kings; commemorated as Bandi Chhor Divas (coincides with Diwali). |
| Gujarat | Gurudwara Lakhpat Sahib | Lakhpat, Kutch | Commemorates Guru Nanak’s visit during his travels to Mecca and Medina; contains relics such as wooden footwear and palkhi. |
The Ten Gurus of Sikhism
| No. | Guru | Period | Key Contribution / Significance |
| 1 | Guru Nanak Dev | 1469–1539 | Founder of Sikhism; preached devotion to one God (Ik Onkar), equality, and truthful living. |
| 2 | Guru Angad Dev | 1504–1552 | Standardised and promoted the Gurmukhi script, which later became the script of Sikh scriptures. |
| 3 | Guru Amar Das | 1479–1574 | Institutionalised the Langar system (community kitchen) promoting equality and social harmony. |
| 4 | Guru Ram Das | 1534–1581 | Founded the city of Amritsar and initiated construction of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). |
| 5 | Guru Arjan Dev | 1563–1606 | Compiled the Adi Granth (early version of Guru Granth Sahib) and completed the Golden Temple; first Sikh Guru to be martyred. |
| 6 | Guru Hargobind | 1595–1644 | Introduced the Miri–Piri doctrine (temporal and spiritual authority) and promoted Sikh martial tradition including Gatka. |
| 7 | Guru Har Rai | 1630–1661 | Promoted herbal medicine, environmental care, and humanitarian service within Sikh society. |
| 8 | Guru Har Krishan | 1656–1664 | Youngest Sikh Guru; known for serving victims of a smallpox epidemic in Delhi. |
| 9 | Guru Tegh Bahadur | 1621–1675 | Martyred for defending religious freedom, particularly protecting Kashmiri Pandits from forced conversions. |
| 10 | Guru Gobind Singh | 1666–1708 | Founded the Khalsa in 1699, institutionalised the Five Ks, and declared Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru of Sikhism. |
The Five Takhts of Sikhism
In Sikhism, the term Takht (or Takhata) literally means a throne or seat of authority. These Takhts represent the highest centres of religious and temporal authority in the Sikh community. Important religious decisions, doctrinal clarifications, and community guidance are often issued from these institutions.
There are five Takhts, each associated with important events in Sikh history and with the lives of the Sikh Gurus.
| Takht | Location | Established / Associated Guru | Historical Significance |
| Akal Takht | Amritsar, Punjab (opposite Harmandir Sahib) | Guru Hargobind (1609) | The highest seat of temporal authority in Sikhism. Represents justice and political sovereignty, complementing the spiritual authority of the Golden Temple. |
| Takht Sri Patna Sahib | Patna, Bihar | Associated with Guru Gobind Singh | Marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh (1666), the tenth Sikh Guru. |
| Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib | Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar district, Punjab | Guru Gobind Singh | Site where Khalsa Panth was founded in 1699 during the festival of Vaisakhi. |
| Takht Sri Damdama Sahib | Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda district, Punjab | Guru Gobind Singh | Place where Guru Gobind Singh prepared the final version of the Guru Granth Sahib in 1705. |
| Takht Sri Hazur Sahib | Nanded, Maharashtra (on the banks of the Godavari River) | Guru Gobind Singh | Site associated with the death of Guru Gobind Singh in 1708; the gurdwara complex contains Angitha Sahib, marking his cremation site. |