Punjabi Sikhs

Last updated

Punjabi Sikhs
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿੱਖ
A painting of a Sikh family, circa late 19th century.jpg
A painting of a Sikh family, c.late 19th century
Total population
c.24–29 million approx.
(Worldwide) [1] [2] [3]
Regions with significant populations
Punjab, India 16,004,754 (2011 census) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Haryana 1,243,752 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Rajasthan 872,930 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Uttar Pradesh 643,500 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Delhi 570,581 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Uttarakhand 236,340 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Maharashtra 223,247 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Madhya Pradesh 151,412 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Chandigarh 138,329 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Himachal Pradesh 79,896 (2011) [4] [lower-alpha 1]
Languages
Ethnic language
Punjabi (various dialects)

Sacred language
Sant Bhasha
Code language
Khalsa bole

Contents

Other languages
Religion
Sikhism
Related ethnic groups

Punjabi Sikhs (Punjabi : ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿੱਖ; romanized:Pañjābī Sikh) are ethnic Punjabis who are adherents of Sikhism; they constitute the second-largest religious subdivision within the Punjabi people, after Muslims, with a population numbering around 24 to 29 million. They form the largest religious community in the Indian state of Punjab. Sikhism is an indigenous religion that originated in the Punjab region of South Asia during the 15th century. Almost 97% of the world's Sikh population are Punjabis. [5]

Punjabi Sikhs are primarily inhabit in the Indian state of Punjab, the only Sikh-majority administrative division on Earth. Punjabi Sikhs make up roughly 60 percent of the state’s population. [6] Many have ancestry from the greater Punjab region, an area that was partitioned between India and Pakistan in 1947. In the contemporary era, apart from Indian Punjab, Punjabi Sikhs are found in large numbers across the Indian states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Large numbers are also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, as various immigration waves over the centuries better prospects and career. [7]

History

The Sikh religion founder, Guru Nanak (1469–1539), was roughly a contemporary of the founder of Mughal Empire Babur in India. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in a Punjabi Hindu Khatri family, which was initially a community of scribes and traders. [8] In Un-divided Punjab region, the eldest son of every Punjabi Hindu families was nominated and was represented as Sardars and had protected their family and Indic communities from the tyrannies of Mughal rulers and their torture. [9] [10] [11] A huge number of peasants from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds in Punjab have converted to Sikhism for various motives (such as conviction, fear, or economic) since the starting of new faith. [12]

Martial race

Indian Punjabi Sikh armies during their military training Soldier Sikh LI INF of the Indian Army practices aim during MALABAR 2006.jpg
Indian Punjabi Sikh armies during their military training

The militarization of Punjabi Sikhs began after the execution of Guru Arjan Dev (5th Guru in Sikhism). Following his execution, a conflict erupted between the Mughal Empire and Sikhs which led to the last guru, Gobind Singh, establishing a militarized order known as the Khalsa, in 1699. [13] Punjabi Sikhs were regarded as one of the toughest and fiercest warriors by the British during their rule in the Indian subcontinent. Punjabi Sikh soldiers constituted a significant chunk of the British Indian Army due to their distinguished service in action. [14] [15] Despite being only around 2% of India's population, Punjabi Sikhs constitute around 20% of the Indian Armed Forces, with the Punjab province being the 2nd largest contributor for manpower after Uttar Pradesh. [16] [17]

Language

Punjabi Sikhs speaks the Punjabi language as their mother tongue. Various dialects of Punjabi language such as Bagri, Bilaspuri, Bhateali, Majhi, Doabi, Malwai, and Puadhi etc are spoken by Punjabi Sikhs across India and abroad as their mother tongue. In Indian Punjab, Punjabi is written in Gurmukhi script, While in Pakistan's Punjab, Shahmukhi script is used respectively. [18] Gurmukhi is written from left to right, while Shahmukhi is written from right to left. [19] [20] The use of Gurmukhi script generally started and developed during the time of 2nd Sikh guru, Guru Angad Dev (1504–1552) who have standardized it. [21] It is commonly regarded as Sikh Script. While Shahmukhi script have been used by Punjabi Muslims since from the time of the 12th century, when Punjabi Sufi Poets have used it to write Punjabi. Shahmukhi is a Perso-Arabic alphabet script. [22]

Culture

Festivals

The Punjabi Sikhs observe historic festivals such as Lohri, Basant and Vaisakhi as seasonal and cultural festivals in Punjab and outside of it. Other seasonal Punjabi festivals in India include Maghi and Teeyan respectively. Teeyan is also known as festival of females, as women enjoy it with their close friends. On the day of maghi, people fly kites and eat their traditional dish Punjabi dish khichdi. [23] Other festivals observed by Punjabi Sikhs includes the festivals of Sikhism like- Gurupurab, Bandi Chhor Divas, etc.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Figure is total Sikh population on census.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikhism</span> Religion originating in Punjab, India

Sikhism, also known as Sikhi, is an Indian religion and philosophy in particular for the Sikh ethnoreligious group that originated in the Punjab region of India around the end of the 15th century CE. The Sikh scriptures are written in the Gurumukhi script particular to Sikhs. It is one of the most recently founded major religious groups and among the largest in the world, with about 25–30 million adherents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nankana Sahib</span> City in Punjab, Pakistan

Nankana Sahib is a city and capital of Nankana Sahib District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is named after the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak, who was born in the city and first began preaching here. Nankana Sahib is among the most important religious sites for the Sikh religion. It is located about 91 km (57 mi) west of Lahore and about 75 km (47 mi) east of Faisalabad. According to the census of 2017 the city has a population of 110,135 inhabitants. Until 2005, it was a part of the Sheikhupura District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru Angad</span> Second Sikh guru from 1539 to 1552

Guru Angad was the second of the ten Sikh gurus of Sikhism. After meeting Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, becoming a Sikh, and serving and working with Nanak for many years, Nanak gave Lehna the name Angad, and chose Angad as the second Sikh Guru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru Granth Sahib</span> Primary scripture of Sikhism

The Guru Granth Sahib is the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign and eternal Guru following the lineage of the ten human gurus of the religion. The Adi Granth, its first rendition, was compiled by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan (1564–1606). Its compilation was completed on 29 August 1604 and first installed inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar on 1 September 1604. Baba Buddha was appointed the first Granthi of the Golden Temple. Shortly afterwards Guru Hargobind added Ramkali Ki Vaar. Later, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru, added hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur to the Adi Granth and affirmed the text as his successor. This second rendition became known as the Guru Granth Sahib and is also sometimes referred to as the Adi Granth.

The following outline is provides an overview of Sikhism, or Sikhi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punjabis</span> Ethnolinguistic group native to Punjab

The Punjabis, are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group associated with the Punjab region of South Asia, comprising areas of present-day eastern Pakistan and northwestern India. They share a common history, culture and language; generally speaking Standard Punjabi or various Punjabi dialects on both sides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ik Onkar</span> Religious phrase in Sikhism

Ik Onkar, also spelled Ek Onkar or Ik Oankaar ; literally, "one Om", hence interpreted as "There is only one God or one Creator") is a phrase in Sikhism that denotes the one supreme reality. It is a central tenet of Sikh religious philosophy.

Assū is the seventh month of the Punjabi calendar, as well as the Nanakshahi calendar, which governs the Sikh tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikh scriptures</span> Holy books of an Indian religion

The principal Sikh scripture is the Adi Granth, more commonly called the Guru Granth Sahib. The second most important scripture of the Sikhs is the Dasam Granth. Both of these consist of text which was written or authorised by the Sikh Gurus.

Guru Nanak founded the Sikh religion in the Punjab region of the northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the 15th century and opposed many traditional practices like fasting, Upanayana, idolatry, caste system, ascetism, azan, economic materialism, and gender discrimination.

Vaisakh is the second month in the Nanakshahi calendar and the Punjabi calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kartarpur, Pakistan</span> Town in Punjab, Pakistan and a holy site in Sikhism

Kartarpur is a town located, just 102 km from Lahore city in the Shakargarh Tehsil, Narowal District in Punjab, Pakistan. Located on the right bank of the Ravi River, it is said to have been founded by the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, where he established the first Sikh commune.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Muktsar Sahib</span> City in Punjab, India

Sri Muktsar Sahib is a historical city and district headquarters in Punjab, India. The 2011 Census of India put the total population of Sri Muktsar Sahib municipality at 117,085, making it the 14th largest city of Punjab, in terms of population. The second Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Angad was born in the village Matte-di-Sarai (Sarainaga) in the same district. Earlier the city was called Khidrana/Khidrane di dhab, the city was named Muktsar after the Battle of Muktsar in 1705 and the district headquarters in 1995. The government officially changed the name of the city to Sri Muktsar Sahib in 2012, though the city is still primarily referred to by its unofficial name – Muktsar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhat Vahis</span>

Bhat Vahis were scrolls or records maintained by Bhatts also known as Bhatra. The majority of Bhat Sikhs originate from Punjab and were amongst the first followers of Guru Nanak. Bhat tradition and Sikh text states their ancestors came from Punjab, where the Raja Shivnabh and his kingdom became the original 16th century followers of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The Raja's grandson Prince Baba Changa earned the title ‘Bhat Rai’ – the ‘Raja of Poets, and then settled himself and his followers all over India as missionaries to spread the word of Guru Nanak, where many northern Indians became Bhat Sikhs. The majority were from the northern Brahmin caste ,(Bhat ) as the Prince Baba Changa shared the Brahmin heritage. The sangat also had many members from different areas of the Sikh caste spectrum, such as the Hindu Rajputs and Hindu Jats who joined due to Bhat Sikh missionary efforts. The Bhats also contributed 123 compositions in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (pp.1389–1409), known as the "Bhata de Savaiyye". There hereditary occupations consisted of bards, poets, missionaries, astrologists, genealogists, salesmen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maghi</span> Seasonal festive gathering of Sikhs in January

Maghi is the regional name of the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti celebrated in Punjab, Haryana Jammu division and Himachal Pradesh. In Himachal, the festival is also known as Maghi Saaji or Magha Ra Saza. In Bihar and Nepal it is also referred to as Maghi Parva or Maghi Sankranti. whereas it is known as Maghi Sangrand or Uttarain (Uttarayana) in Jammu and Sakrat in Haryana, Maghi is celebrated on first day of the month of Magh of Hindu Calendar. It follows on the heels of the mid-winter festival of Lohri which is marked by bonfires in North Indian fields and yards. The next morning Hindus see as an auspicious occasion for ritual bathing in ponds and rivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Temple</span> Sikh religious site in Amritsar, Punjab, India

The Golden Temple (also known as the Harmandir Sahib, or the Darbār Sahib, is a gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is the pre-eminent spiritual site of Sikhism. It is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, alongside the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Kartarpur, and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punjabi festivals</span> About various festive celebrations observed by Punjabis in Pakistan, India

Punjabi festivals are various festive celebrations observed by Punjabis in Pakistan, India and the diaspora Punjabi community found worldwide. The Punjabis are a diverse group of people from different religious background that affects the festivals they observe. According to a 2007 estimate, the total population of Punjabi Muslims is about 90 million, with 97% of Punjabis who live in Pakistan following Islam, in contrast to the remaining 30 million Punjabi Sikhs and Punjabi Hindus who predominantly live in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru Arjan</span> Fifth Sikh guru from 1581 to 1606

Guru Arjan was the fifth of the ten total Sikh Gurus. He compiled the first official edition of the Sikh scripture called the Adi Granth, which later expanded into the Guru Granth Sahib. He is regarded as the first of the two Gurus martyred in the Sikh faith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Writers of the Guru Granth Sahib</span>

The Guru Granth Sahib, is the central religious text of Sikhism, considered by Sikhs to be the final sovereign Guru of the religion. It contains 1430 Angs, containing 5,894 hymns of 36 saint mystics which includes Sikh gurus, Bhagats, Bhatts and Gursikhs. It is notable among foundational religious scriptures for including hymns from writers of other religions, namely Hindus and Muslims. It also contains teachings of the Sikh gurus themselves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Punjab, India</span> Overview of and topical guide to Punjab, India

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Punjab:

References

  1. "Who are Sikhs and what do they believe?". 5 August 2012.
  2. "Indianapolis Shootout: The US Has Long Lacked Understanding on Who Sikh People Are".
  3. "Behind the decline". frontline.thehindu.com. 16 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Population by religion community – 2011". Census of India, 2011. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  5. "Sikhism | History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature | Britannica".
  6. "Census 2011: %age of Sikhs drops in Punjab; migration to blame?". The Times of India. 27 August 2015.
  7. George, Usha, and Ferzana Chaze. "Punjabis/Sikhs in Canada." Mobility and Multiple Affiliations (2016): 91-104.
  8. "India - the Sikhs in the Punjab | Britannica".
  9. "From Guru Hargobind to Guru Gobind Singh: How the Sikh community militarised to take on the Mughals".
  10. Why was the first son made a Sikh
  11. "Sikhism | History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature | Britannica".
  12. Singh, Pritam (2008). Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy. Routledge. ISBN   9781134049455. A lot of Hindu and Muslim peasants converted to Sikhism from conviction, fear, economic motives, or a combination of the three (Khushwant Singh 1999: 106; Ganda Singh 1935: 73).
  13. https://theprint.in/feature/guru-arjan-dev-the-martyr-whose-death-changed-the-course-of-sikhism/401897/
  14. https://scroll.in/article/1045152/how-punjab-came-to-dominate-the-british-indian-army
  15. https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/how-british-idolised-the-loyal-sikh-soldier-and-inspired-conflict-in-indian-army/1559249/
  16. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-second-among-all-states-in-contributing-to-armys-rank-and-file-225565
  17. "Shahmukhi: The window to Punjabi culture". The Times of India.
  18. Sharma, Saurabh; Gupta, Vishal (May 2013). "Punjabi Documents Clustering System" (PDF). Journal of Emerging Technologies in Web Intelligence. 5 (2): 174. doi:10.4304/JETWI.5.2.171-187. S2CID   55699784. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  19. Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography. Springer. 2019. p. 142. ISBN   978-3030059774.
  20. "Guru Angad | Second Sikh Guru, Achievements, & Facts | Britannica".
  21. "Punjabi language | Britannica".
  22. Punjab Tourism https://punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in  › ...PDF FESTIVALS IN PUNJAB 2021-22

Further reading