History Of Sikhism

The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 CE in the village of Talwandi, now called 'Nankana Sahib' near Lahore (Pakistan).

Right from his childhood his keen mind would not accept all the groundless rituals, superstitions and dogmas which passed for religion in those days.

Guru Nanak and the nine Gurus, who succeeded him, set a wonderful example of living spiritually, while yet taking an active part in the world.

The tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 CE) evolved the Sikh initiation ceremony in 1699 CE; and thus gave a distinctive identity to the Sikhs. The first Five Initiated Sikhs were named Panj Piaré (Five Beloved Ones), who in turn initiated the Guru on his request - an event hitherto unknown in the history of mankind.

Shortly before passing away the Guru ordained that Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Scripture, would be the ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs and the temporal authority would vest in the Khalsa Panth - the Sikh Commonwealth. Guru Granth Sahib was compiled and edited by the fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan in 1604 CE. This is the only scripture in the world, which has been compiled by the founders of a faith during their own lifetime.

Guru Arjan also built the world famous Gurdwara - Harmandar, at Amritsar, which is the nucleus of Sikhism.

During the eighteenth century the Sikhs were subjected to various suppressions and persecutions by the authorities of the time motivated by communal fanaticism. They had to make supreme sacrifices to protect and preserve their faith and separate identity.

The Mughal Empire was on the verge of disintegration. The Afghans had started invading the country under Ahmed Shah Abdali. The Sikhs availed of this opportunity to establish their own kingdom which they ultimately achieved in the sixties of the eighteenth century. Under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839 CE) the Sikh principalities achieved a unitary identity. The Sikh Empire lasted for half a century and was annexed by the English in 1849 CE.

During the freedom struggle that the Sikhs waged against the British occupation of Punjab, a large number of Sikhs kissed the hangman's noose, faced all the brutalities and braved the bullets and suffered long term imprisonment in order to achieve liberation.

The Sikhs feel that they did not achieve in 1947, when the British left the subcontinent, what they had fought for.

Although the Sikhs constitute only 1.7 percent of India's population, yet they have made a name for themselves in almost all walks of life such as armed forces, agriculture, sports, industry, education, medicine and engineering etc., through sheer dint of hard work and with a missionary dedication.

Their adventurous and enterprising nature has taken them to almost all countries of the world.

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