Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Sikh culture
open-in-new
<h2 id="cultural-societies-of-the-sikhs">Cultural societies of the Sikhs</h2> <p>There is a common misconception that all Sikhs belong to the <a href="/facts/Punjab_region/gyyuKVSp">Punjab region</a>. The religion's birthplace of Punjab itself has been called "India’s melting pot",<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> and many other parts of <a href="/facts/Northern_India/tIUqMm15">Northern India</a> due to the heavy influence of invading cultures, such as <a href="/facts/Mughal_Empire/yRg2kAy5">Mughal</a> and <a href="/facts/Medieval_Persia/0Q0WRDqo">Persian</a>, that mirrors the confluence of rivers from which the region gets its name(from <a href="/facts/Persian_language/jfUYbHbt">Persian</a>, "panj" پنج meaning "five" and "-āb" آب meaning water thus meaning land of the five waters). Thus, Sikh culture is to a large extent a result of groups of various cultures uniting together, thus forming a unique one. </p><p><a href="/facts/Sikhism/obh7aQIr">Sikhism</a> has forged a unique form of <a href="/facts/Sikh_architecture/jsJmKu7J">architecture</a> which Bhatti describes as being "inspired by <a href="/facts/Guru_Nanak/WlaxsDrN">Guru Nanak</a>’s creative mysticism" such that <a href="/facts/Sikh_architecture/jsJmKu7J">Sikh architecture</a> "is a mute harbinger of holistic humanism based on pragmatic spirituality".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> The keynote of Sikh architecture is the <a href="/facts/Gurdwara/R9K3uCF6">Gurdwara</a> which is the personification of the "melting pot" of <a href="/facts/Indian_culture/GjHPLXPR">Indian cultures</a>, full of <a href="/facts/Mughal_architecture/nC0bQTXE">Mughal</a>, <a href="/facts/Aryan/9qU7xRQ2">Aryan</a> and <a href="/facts/Persian_people/4GhM3jl2">Persian</a> influences. The reign of the <a href="/facts/Sikh_Empire/RpnHH4Ty">Sikh Empire</a> was the single biggest catalyst in the creation of a uniquely Sikh form of expression, with Maharajah <a href="/facts/Ranjit_Singh/FWAquX13">Ranjit Singh</a> patronising the building of forts, palaces, bungs (residential places), colleges, etc. that can be said to be of the <i>Sikh Style</i>. The "jewel in the crown" of the <i>Sikh Style</i> is the <a href="/facts/Harmandir_Sahib/zQt7novv">Harmandir Sahib</a>. </p><p>Sikh culture and identity are heavily influenced by militaristic motifs, with <a href="/facts/Khanda_(Sikh_symbol)/LXmlGd3R">Khanda</a> being the most obvious; thus it is no surprise that the majority of Sikh artifacts, independent of the relics of the <a href="/facts/Sikh_Guru/G8UIrbYC">Gurus</a>, have a military theme. This motif is again evident in the Sikh festivals of <a href="/facts/Hola_Mohalla/4Fkw5BoG">Hola Mohalla</a> and <a href="/facts/Vasakhi/Mo2kU50o">Vasakhi</a> which feature marching and practicing displays of valor, respectively. </p><p>The art, culture, identity, and society of the <a href="/facts/Sikhs/V7yh2L8b">Sikhs</a> have been merged with the different localities and ethnicities of different Sikhs into categories such as 'Agrahari Sikhs', 'Dakhni Sikhs' and 'Assamese Sikhs'; however there has emerged a niche cultural phenomenon that can be described as 'Political Sikh'. The art of prominent <a href="/facts/Sikh_diaspora/vuPU4uqK">diaspora Sikhs</a> such as Amarjeet Kaur Nandhra,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> and Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh (<a href="/facts/The_Singh_Twins/eQznlnVj">The Singh Twins</a>),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> is partly informed by their Sikh spirituality and influence. </p> <h2 id="physical-culture">Physical culture</h2> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Sports_in_Punjab/MQSr72Pg">Sports in Punjab</a> and <a href="/facts/Indian_physical_culture/4I26XUS4">Indian physical culture</a></p> <p>Physical fitness is a major part of Sikhism, having been a major part of the religion in the context of military preparedness from the time of the gurus.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> This saw the community become termed as a <a href="/facts/Martial_race/N5JjpueD">martial race</a> by the British during the colonial era (see also: <a href="/facts/Sikhism_and_the_British_Empire/qcJFojgR">Sikhism and the British Empire</a>).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="culture-of-sikh-communities">Culture of Sikh communities</h2> <p>Dusenbery (2014) states that Punjabi Sikhs form the majority of the Sikh population. He notes that "some Sindhis and other South Asians have been affiliated at the margins as <a href="/facts/Nanakpanthi/GsDFPtnE">Nanakpanthis</a> (‘followers of Nanak’s path’) or <a href="/facts/Sehajdhari/aubvfAUR">Sehajdhari</a> (‘slow adopter’) Sikhs" but in the main, "the Sikh Panth has remained largely a Punjabi affair".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> However, the Sikh community is varied and includes people who speak the <a href="/facts/Pashto_language/hc2ndCqx">Pashto language</a>, the <a href="/facts/Sindhi_language/fQFk8mVz">Sindhi language</a>, the <a href="/facts/Telugu_language/yV5dQWhw">Telugu language</a> and many more. The many communities following Sikhism are detailed below. </p> <h3>Afghani Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Sikhism_in_Afghanistan/vdBeLXq0">Sikhism in Afghanistan</a></p> <p>The Sikhs of <a href="/facts/Afghanistan/v63Auu1C">Afghanistan</a> have a unique culture which has elements of the <a href="/facts/Culture_of_Afghanistan/w7NpKunB">culture of Afghanistan</a>. Tatla (2014) states that there were 3,000 Sikhs in Afghanistan in his book The Sikh Diaspora which was published in 2014.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p> <h3>American Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Sikhism_in_the_United_States/rcN6vLTw">Sikhism in the United States</a></p> <p><a href="/facts/Yogi_Bhajan/guL29wzQ">Yogi Bhajan</a> is credited with <a href="/facts/3HO/ELl0eanK">raising awareness</a> of Sikhism amongst the non-Asian community of the United States of America. This community is known as the white Sikh community which practices Sikhism and maintains a distinct culture.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p> <h3>Assamese Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Sikhism_in_India/nyHYGHJc">Sikhism_in_India § Assamese_Sikhs</a></p> <p>The presence of <a href="/facts/Sikhism/obh7aQIr">Sikhism</a> has existed in <a href="/facts/Assam/64Hs7TwB">Assam</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> for over 200 years. The community traces its origins to the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who took his army to Assam and put some influence of the religion towards the locals. According to the 2001 census, there were 22,519 <a href="/facts/Sikhism/obh7aQIr">Sikhs</a> in <a href="/facts/Assam/64Hs7TwB">Assam</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> out of which 4,000 are Assamese Sikhs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> </p><p>Assamese Sikhs follow the Sikh religion and celebrate Sikh festivals. They also celebrate cultural festivals such as <a href="/facts/Magh_Bihu/brSyQRxu">Magh Bihu</a> and wear traditional Assamese dress. Their language is the <a href="/facts/Assamese_language/rS7BqK0P">Assamese language</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> </p> <h3>Agrahari Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Agrahari_Sikh/GujVe40I">Agrahari Sikh</a></p> <p><a href="/facts/Agrahari_Sikh/GujVe40I">Agrahari Sikh</a> is a <a href="/facts/Sikh/V7yh2L8b">Sikh</a> community found in <a href="/facts/Eastern_India/8CFJmsg7">eastern India</a> including the states of <a href="/facts/West_Bengal/0B5bxvbW">West Bengal</a>, <a href="/facts/Bihar/T5Ga9JF8">Bihar</a> and <a href="/facts/Jharkhand/eYFQURjk">Jharkhand</a>. Agrahari Sikhs, also known as <i>Bihari Sikhs</i>, have existed for centuries in <a href="/facts/Bihar/T5Ga9JF8">Bihar</a> and <a href="/facts/Jharkhand/eYFQURjk">Jharkhand</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> </p><p>Bihari Sikhs share their culture with the local Bihari community. The men generally wear the local dhoti and women wear the sari. They also celebrate cultural festivals such as the <a href="/facts/Chath/Es8BzUDl">Chath</a> festival.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> </p> <h3>Dakhni Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Sikhism_in_India/nyHYGHJc">Sikhism_in_India § South_Indian_Sikhs</a></p> <p>Dakhni Sikhs are from the <a href="/facts/Deccan_Plateau/dDtSAQnd">Deccan Plateau</a> in India located within the states of <a href="/facts/Maharashtra/4hAVYlb4">Maharashtra</a>, <a href="/facts/Telangana/oE5VoLuj">Telegana</a> and <a href="/facts/Andhra_Pradesh/d51Lb0kX">Andhra Pradesh</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> The traditional dress of women is the <a href="/facts/Sari/06V2KWyh">sari</a>. The native languages of Dakhni Sikhs include <a href="/facts/Marathi_language/uIJuwlFW">Marathi</a> and <a href="/facts/Telugu_language/yV5dQWhw">Telugu</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> </p> <h3>Kashmiri Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Sikhism_in_Jammu_and_Kashmir/5a3UzgQ6">Sikhism in Jammu and Kashmir</a></p> <p>Ethnic Kashmiri Sikhs speak the <a href="/facts/Kashmiri_language/b35X0L3H">Kashmiri language</a> and observe Kashmiri culture. They trace their religious heritage to the influence of Sikh soldiers who settled in <a href="/facts/Kashmir/Rok34JM5">Kashmir</a> under Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule in 1819. However, the soldiers permanently settled in <a href="/facts/Kashmir/Rok34JM5">Kashmir</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> </p> <h3>Punjabi Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Punjabi_Sikhs/V7yh2L8b">Punjabi Sikhs</a></p><p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Punjabis/FRTTknvF">Punjabis</a>, <a href="/facts/Sikhism_in_Pakistan/DNJhcNXL">Sikhism in Pakistan</a>, and <a href="/facts/Religion_in_Punjab/gyyuKVSp">Religion in Punjab</a></p> <p>Punjabi Sikhs follow the <a href="/facts/Punjabi_culture/QBypW3UA">Punjabi culture</a>. Their traditional dress includes the <a href="/facts/Punjabi_Salwar_Suit/lXplmj5m">Punjabi Salwar Suit</a>, <a href="/facts/Punjabi_Tamba_and_Kurta/5Nnenrtv">Punjabi Tamba and Kurta</a>, <a href="/facts/Punjabi_juti/UbSoy1g4">Punjabi juti</a> and <a href="/facts/Patiala_salwar/pILplSva">Patiala salwar</a>. </p><p>In addition to the <a href="/facts/List_of_Sikh_festivals/YuPdTful">Sikh festivals</a> using the <a href="/facts/Nanakshahi_calendar/vxCdgxs5">Nanakshahi calendar</a>, Punjabi Sikhs observe traditional <a href="/facts/Punjabi_festivals/4JljMkA2">Punjabi festivals</a> using the <a href="/facts/Punjabi_calendar/EA8RF6yR">Punjabi calendar</a>. </p> <h3>Sindhi Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Sindhis_in_India/QhRG3qGd">Sindhis in India</a></p> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Sikhism_in_Pakistan/DNJhcNXL">Sikhism in Pakistan</a></p><p>In addition to celebrating Sikh festivals, Sindhi Sikhs celebrate cultural festivals such as <a href="/facts/Cheti_Chand/Rrf5DUhS">Cheti Chand</a>, the Sindhi new year. Sindhi Sikhs speak the <a href="/facts/Sindhi_language/fQFk8mVz">Sindhi language</a>. <a href="/facts/Tat_Khalsa/IRmhU3LB">Khalsa</a> Sikhs historically had a stronghold in Kandhra, <a href="/facts/Khairpur_(princely_state)/z2u2NHSU">Khairpur</a> during the reign of the <a href="/facts/Talpur_dynasty/0mJGLAEb">Talpur</a> Mirs (1775–1955).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a> However, most Sikhs in Sindh are followers of the <a href="/facts/Udasi/0C6BPEVg">Udasi</a>, <a href="/facts/Sewapanthi/Bff4N8ry">Sewapanthi</a>, and <a href="/facts/Nanakpanthi/GsDFPtnE">Nanakpanthi</a> sects.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a> Only around 8,000–10,000 people in present-day Sindh are mainstream, orthodox Khalsa Sikh. The vast majority belong to the aforementioned sects whom may practice varying degrees of religious kinship and syncretism with Hinduism and Sufism.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a> Udasis are generally concentrated in northern Sindh whilst Nanakpanthis can be found throughout the region except in areas of the <a href="/facts/Rajasthani_languages/BKdEulmS">Rajasthani cultural sphere</a> (<a href="/facts/Dhatki_language/lxYbtbM7">Dhatki</a>-speaking areas) who practice a more mainstream, non-syncretic, and differentiated form of Hinduism.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a> Nanakpanth and Udasipanth are different sects of Sikhism, with a major difference being that Udasis adopt a life-hood of celibacy whilst Nanakpanthis freely marry and bear children.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a> Another Sikh sect, the Jagiasi, who claim to have been founded by the younger son of Guru Nanak named Lakhmi Das, were also historically prevalent in Sindh, especially during the period of Baba Gurupat, who was a descendant of Guru Nanak.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32"><sup>32</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33"><sup>33</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34"><sup>34</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35"><sup>35</sup></a> Baba Gurupat conducted missionary works in Sindh and founded many Jagiasu <i>tikanas</i> (seats; a term for a place of worship in many <a href="/facts/Sects_of_Sikhism/53nwkSo1">Sikh sects</a>) in the region, specifically in <a href="/facts/Khairpur_District/l97CPjfF">Khairpur</a>, <a href="/facts/Hyderabad_District%2c_Sindh/E4VmFbAL">Hyderabad</a>, Halani, and <a href="/facts/Kandiaro_Tehsil/BkQWM7eh">Kandyaro</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36"><sup>36</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37"><sup>37</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:38" href="#fn:38"><sup>38</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:39" href="#fn:39"><sup>39</sup></a> Sindhis may have been converting to Sikhism ever since the time of Guru Nanak, who traveled to the region.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:40" href="#fn:40"><sup>40</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Janamsakhis/d0VyecoG">Janamsakhi</a> literature narrate that Guru Nanak traveled to <a href="/facts/Shikarpur_District/fNhoypLr">Shikarpur</a>, possibly as far as <a href="/facts/Sukkur_District/U9wdroQa">Sukkur</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:41" href="#fn:41"><sup>41</sup></a> Sindhi women learnt the Gurmukhi script in-order to understand the Guru Granth Sahib.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:42" href="#fn:42"><sup>42</sup></a> A lot of converts to Sikhism came from the <a href="/facts/Amils/p8cqaScz">Amil</a> caste.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:43" href="#fn:43"><sup>43</sup></a> The <a href="/facts/Chief_Khalsa_Diwan/GS7x3bzC">Chief Khalsa Diwan</a> sent out orthodox Sikh missionaries to Sindh in the 1930s to preach towards <a href="/facts/Sahajdhari/aubvfAUR"><i>Sehajdharis</i></a> (literally "slow adopters"), which dominated the landscape of Sikhism in Sindh.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:44" href="#fn:44"><sup>44</sup></a> The result was the number of <i><a href="/facts/Khalsa/SHypwNmW">Keshdhari</a></i> (those who keep uncut hair) Sikhs recorded increasing from 1,000 in the 1901 census to over 39,000 in the 1941 census.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:45" href="#fn:45"><sup>45</sup></a> Sant Thahriya Singh was a prominent Sindhi Sikh saint of the 20th century, and many gurdwaras are constructed in his name in the region.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:46" href="#fn:46"><sup>46</sup></a> </p><h3>South Indian Sikhs</h3> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Sikhism_in_India/nyHYGHJc">Sikhism_in_India § South_Indian_Sikhs</a></p> <p>There are <a href="/facts/Sikh/V7yh2L8b">Sikh</a> communities in <a href="/facts/Karnataka/NhJAc4t9">Karnataka</a>, <a href="/facts/Andhra_Pradesh/d51Lb0kX">Andhra Pradesh</a> and <a href="/facts/Maharashtra/4hAVYlb4">Maharashtra</a> who converted to Sikhism centuries ago. </p><p>The Sikhs comprise <a href="/facts/Banjara/9bxTSY1M">Banjara</a> and <a href="/facts/Satnami/XK3p1r74">Satnami</a>. The process of blending the religion into southern India for the Sikligars began at the time of the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, who came to the Deccan and died in 1708 at Nanded (Maharashtra). </p><p>It all came by the Sikligars as they came to southern India as expert arms-making camp followers of the tenth Guru. Sikligar is a compound of the Persian words `saiqal` and `gar` meaning a polisher of metal.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:47" href="#fn:47"><sup>47</sup></a> The traditional occupation of the <a href="/facts/Sikligar/p3T1Kzck">Sikligars</a> is crafting kitchen implements. </p><p>Banjaras are a nomadic tribe who traditionally travelled with merchandise and are found across a large swathe of northern India, as well as in the south. Sikh Banjaras too travelled with armies of the past supplying them with provisions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:48" href="#fn:48"><sup>48</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="gallery">Gallery</h2> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Sikh_art/Kk3R2oFu">Sikh art</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Indian_art/fyf0XDmc">Indian art</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Turban_training_centre/BUV6olE6">Turban training centre</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sikh_architecture/jsJmKu7J">Sikh architecture</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sikh_scriptures/7YFCwXlU">Sikh scriptures</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/History_of_Sikhism/qcJFojgR">History of Sikhism</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Punjabi_culture/QBypW3UA">Punjabi culture</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Shastar_Vidya/xDunWplB">Shastar Vidya</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sikh_chola/4J6VL1WR">Sikh chola</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sikh_Ajaibghar/VmvoN1Ul">Sikh Ajaibghar</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Mehdiana_Sahib/2M9IheeP">Mehdiana Sahib</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references-and-notes">References and notes</h2> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Sikhism". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 7 August 2018. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism" target="_blank">https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Petition to Disaggregate Sikhs Correctly in the 2010 Census". Retrieved 20 November 2014. <a href="http://www.unitedsikhs.org/petitions/census.php" target="_blank">http://www.unitedsikhs.org/petitions/census.php</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Memorandum Regarding the Tabulation of Sikh Ethnicity in the United States Census" (PDF). Retrieved 20 November 2014. <a href="http://www.unitedsikhs.org/petitions/Memo%20re%20Sikh%20Ethnicity.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.unitedsikhs.org/petitions/Memo%20re%20Sikh%20Ethnicity.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>the Crafts of the Punjab <a href="http://www.craftsbridge.com/craftsbridge/scripts/gotofacts?url=/information/regions/punjab/pnlife.htm" target="_blank">http://www.craftsbridge.com/craftsbridge/scripts/gotofacts?url=/information/regions/punjab/pnlife.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>The magnificence of Sikh architecture Archived 2007-12-14 at the Wayback Machine <a href="http://www.punjabheritage.org/catagories/architectural-heritage/the-magnificence-of-sikh-architecture.html" target="_blank">http://www.punjabheritage.org/catagories/architectural-heritage/the-magnificence-of-sikh-architecture.html</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Textile artist Amarjeet Kaur Nandhra <a href="http://www.artministry.co.uk/services/delta_cms/content/communitygroup.aspx?GroupID=104" target="_blank">http://www.artministry.co.uk/services/delta_cms/content/communitygroup.aspx?GroupID=104</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Singh Twins Art Launches Liverpool Fest <a href="http://sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=168&cat=1" target="_blank">http://sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=168&cat=1</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Samachar, Asia (2025-04-15). "Sikhs and the sporting spirit". Asia Samachar. Retrieved 2025-04-22. <a href="https://asiasamachar.com/2025/04/15/sikhs-and-the-sporting-spirit/" target="_blank">https://asiasamachar.com/2025/04/15/sikhs-and-the-sporting-spirit/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Johal, Sanjiev (2002). The sport of lions: the Punjabi-Sikh sporting experience: a study into the place of sport in the socio-cultural landscape of Punjabi-Sikhs in Britain (phd thesis). University of Warwick. p. 108. <a href="https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/2890/" target="_blank">https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/2890/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Verne A. Dusenbery (2014) Punjabi Sikhs and Gora Sikhs. The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies. Edited by Pashaura Singh and Louis E. Fenech 3DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199699308.013.025 <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Tatla, D. S (2014) The Sikh Diaspora. The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies. Edited by Pashaura Singh and Louis E. Fenech DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199699308.013.040 <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Re-imagining South Asian Religions: Essays in Honour of Professors Harold G. Coward and Ronald W. Neufeldt [1] <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=qT0yAQAAQBAJ&dq=white+sikhs+culture&pg=PA43" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=qT0yAQAAQBAJ&dq=white+sikhs+culture&pg=PA43</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Himadri Banerjee Institute of Sikh Studies <a href="http://sikhinstitute.org/sikhs_living_outside/5-himadribanerjee.html" target="_blank">http://sikhinstitute.org/sikhs_living_outside/5-himadribanerjee.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (2001). "Census of India 2001: Population by religious communities". Government of India. Retrieved 3 January 2010. <a href="http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm" target="_blank">http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>The Tribune Surjit Hans 24 08 2003 <a href="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030824/spectrum/book8.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030824/spectrum/book8.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>The Tribune Surjit Hans 24 08 2003 <a href="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030824/spectrum/book8.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030824/spectrum/book8.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Deccan Herald 23 04 2012 <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244159/though-nearly-200-years-assam.html" target="_blank">http://www.deccanherald.com/content/244159/though-nearly-200-years-assam.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"Sikhs and Sikhism in Eastern and North-Eastern India". Institute of Sikh Studies. <a href="http://sikhinstitute.org/sikhs_living_outside/5-himadribanerjee.html" target="_blank">http://sikhinstitute.org/sikhs_living_outside/5-himadribanerjee.html</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Calcutta Mosaic: Essays and Interviews on the Minority Communities of Calcutta : edited by Nilanjana Gupta, Himadri Banerjee, Sipra Mukherjee [2] <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=0RrOpM9L5xMC&dq=Agrahari+sikhs+culture&pg=PA175" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=0RrOpM9L5xMC&dq=Agrahari+sikhs+culture&pg=PA175</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Zee New 18 10 2011 <a href="http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/away-from-punjab-the-south-indian-sikhs_737141.html" target="_blank">http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/away-from-punjab-the-south-indian-sikhs_737141.html</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>The Tribune 28 10 2014 Birinder Pal Singh <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>Kashur The Kashmiri Speaking People By Mohini Qasba Raina <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=5cXqAQAAQBAJ&dq=kashmiri+sikhs&pg=PA100" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=5cXqAQAAQBAJ&dq=kashmiri+sikhs&pg=PA100</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (21 December 2018). "Mirs and Minorities". Originally published on The Friday Times, republished on Academia.edu. <a href="https://www.academia.edu/38046277" target="_blank">https://www.academia.edu/38046277</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>Singh, Jagraj (2009). A complete guide to Sikhism. Chandigarh, India: Unistar Books. p. 249. ISBN 978-81-7142-754-3. OCLC 319683249. Sewa Panthi Sampardai: Literally sewa panthi sampardai means fellowship of service. It was founded by Bhai Ghahnaiya, who during the siege of Anandpur toured the battlefield carrying water and serving it to friend and foe alike. Sewa Panthis are principally Sindhi Sikhs, celibate, and very few. They have established a big dera at Goniana Mandi in Bathinda district and now are mainly devoted to the cause of education in addition to preaching Sikhism. <a href="978-81-7142-754-3" target="_blank">978-81-7142-754-3</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (26 May 2013). "The Sikhs of Sindh". Originally published on The Friday Times, republished on SikhChic. <a href="https://sikhchic.com/history/the_sikhs_of_sindh" target="_blank">https://sikhchic.com/history/the_sikhs_of_sindh</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>Ramey, Steven W. (2008). Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond (1st ed.). Springer. pp. 180–81. ISBN 9780230616226. <a href="9780230616226" target="_blank">9780230616226</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>Falzon, M. A. (2022-07-25). Selling Anything Anywhere: Sindhis and Global Trade. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5492-578-8. <a href="978-93-5492-578-8" target="_blank">978-93-5492-578-8</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>Takhar, Opinderjit Kaur; Jakobsh, Doris R. (2023). Global Sikhs: Histories, Practices and Identities. Routledge Critical Sikh Studies. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781000847352. Unlike Sufi shrines, the Sindhi mandir has escaped academic attention in the tracing of pre-partition syncretic traditions partially because of the geographical boundaries of Sikh and Panjab studies. The history of Sikhism in Sindh and the appeal of particular forms of Sikhism among Sindhi mandir can provide a glimpse into the co-existence of Sikh and Hindu practices in the Sindhi mandir. It was Richard F. Burton who, in his book Sindh & the Races that Inhabit the Valley of the Indus (1851), "describes the curious mix of Hindu and Sikh practices among Sindhi Hindus". He observes that "they show a general tendency towards the faith of Nanak Shah, and that many castes have so intermingled the religion of the Sikhs with their original Hinduism, that we can scarcely discern the line of demarcation (1851)." The historical reason for the prevalence of these syncretic practices in Sindh was due to the Sindhis being introduced to Sikhism by the Udasipanth popularized by Guru Nanak's son Sri Chand whose followers are known as Nanakpanthi Sikhs in Sindh. Nanakpanth refers to Sikhs who follow the teachings of Guru Nanak without observing the five Ks prescribed for Khalsa Sikhs and do not find Hinduism as conflictual with Sikhism. Unlike Nanakpanthis who follow the rituals of Hinduism, perform idol worship, and are Hindus except that they keep Guru Granth Sahib in their places of worship, new categories of Sikhs in Sindh who describe themselves as Gursikhs claim to bow their heads only in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. <a href="9781000847352" target="_blank">9781000847352</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>Jatt, Zahida. (2018). Devotion Transcending Regional Boundaries: An Exploration of the Origin, Adaption and Development of Udasipanth in Sindh. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322343647_Devotion_Transcending_Regional_Boundaries_An_Exploration_of_the_Origin_Adaption_and_Development_of_Udasipanth_in_Sindh <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322343647_Devotion_Transcending_Regional_Boundaries_An_Exploration_of_the_Origin_Adaption_and_Development_of_Udasipanth_in_Sindh" target="_blank">https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322343647_Devotion_Transcending_Regional_Boundaries_An_Exploration_of_the_Origin_Adaption_and_Development_of_Udasipanth_in_Sindh</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>Singh, Inderjeet (2017-03-24). "Sindhi Hindus & Nanakpanthis in Pakistan". SikhNet. Retrieved 2023-05-29. <a href="http://www.sikhnet.com/news/sindhi-hindus-nanakpanthis-pakistan" target="_blank">http://www.sikhnet.com/news/sindhi-hindus-nanakpanthis-pakistan</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:31"><p>Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (26 May 2013). "The Sikhs of Sindh". Originally published on The Friday Times, republished on SikhChic. <a href="https://sikhchic.com/history/the_sikhs_of_sindh" target="_blank">https://sikhchic.com/history/the_sikhs_of_sindh</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:32"><p>Singh, Harbans (2011). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol. 2: E-L (3rd ed.). Punjabi University, Patiala. p. 318. <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:33"><p>Singh, Bhupinder (October–December 2020). "Nanakpanthis". Abstracts of Sikh Studies. XXII (4). Institute of Sikh Studies. <a href="https://www.sikhinstitute.org/oct_2020/8_bhupinder.html" target="_blank">https://www.sikhinstitute.org/oct_2020/8_bhupinder.html</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:34"><p>Singh, Bhupender (2022). Baba Nanak Shah Fakir. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9789357046602. <a href="9789357046602" target="_blank">9789357046602</a> <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:35"><p>Jotwani, Motilal Wadhumal (1979). Sindhi Literature and Society. Rajesh Publications. pp. 65–66. <a href="#fnref:35" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:36"><p>Singh, Harbans (2011). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol. 2: E-L (3rd ed.). Punjabi University, Patiala. p. 318. <a href="#fnref:36" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:37"><p>Singh, Bhupinder (October–December 2020). "Nanakpanthis". Abstracts of Sikh Studies. XXII (4). Institute of Sikh Studies. <a href="https://www.sikhinstitute.org/oct_2020/8_bhupinder.html" target="_blank">https://www.sikhinstitute.org/oct_2020/8_bhupinder.html</a> <a href="#fnref:37" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:38"><p>Singh, Bhupender (2022). Baba Nanak Shah Fakir. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9789357046602. <a href="9789357046602" target="_blank">9789357046602</a> <a href="#fnref:38" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:39"><p>Jotwani, Motilal Wadhumal (1979). Sindhi Literature and Society. Rajesh Publications. pp. 65–66. <a href="#fnref:39" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:40"><p>Kochar, Mandeep Kaur; Pahwa, Gurjit Kaur; Garcha, Pargat Singh; Wadhwani, Heena D. (2019). "A Historical Overview of Sindhi Hindus in Pakistan and India — Their Reverence to Guru Nanak Devji". Ideology of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sindhiyat: Leading to a Virtuous World (1st ed.). Patiala: Twentyfirst Century Publications. pp. 120–124. ISBN 978-81-943233-9-6. <a href="978-81-943233-9-6" target="_blank">978-81-943233-9-6</a> <a href="#fnref:40" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:41"><p>Kochar, Mandeep Kaur; Pahwa, Gurjit Kaur; Garcha, Pargat Singh; Wadhwani, Heena D. (2019). "A Historical Overview of Sindhi Hindus in Pakistan and India — Their Reverence to Guru Nanak Devji". Ideology of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sindhiyat: Leading to a Virtuous World (1st ed.). Patiala: Twentyfirst Century Publications. pp. 120–124. ISBN 978-81-943233-9-6. <a href="978-81-943233-9-6" target="_blank">978-81-943233-9-6</a> <a href="#fnref:41" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:42"><p>Kochar, Mandeep Kaur; Pahwa, Gurjit Kaur; Garcha, Pargat Singh; Wadhwani, Heena D. (2019). "A Historical Overview of Sindhi Hindus in Pakistan and India — Their Reverence to Guru Nanak Devji". Ideology of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sindhiyat: Leading to a Virtuous World (1st ed.). Patiala: Twentyfirst Century Publications. pp. 120–124. ISBN 978-81-943233-9-6. <a href="978-81-943233-9-6" target="_blank">978-81-943233-9-6</a> <a href="#fnref:42" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:43"><p>Kochar, Mandeep Kaur; Pahwa, Gurjit Kaur; Garcha, Pargat Singh; Wadhwani, Heena D. (2019). "A Historical Overview of Sindhi Hindus in Pakistan and India — Their Reverence to Guru Nanak Devji". Ideology of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sindhiyat: Leading to a Virtuous World (1st ed.). Patiala: Twentyfirst Century Publications. pp. 120–124. ISBN 978-81-943233-9-6. <a href="978-81-943233-9-6" target="_blank">978-81-943233-9-6</a> <a href="#fnref:43" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:44"><p>Kochar, Mandeep Kaur; Pahwa, Gurjit Kaur; Garcha, Pargat Singh; Wadhwani, Heena D. (2019). "A Historical Overview of Sindhi Hindus in Pakistan and India — Their Reverence to Guru Nanak Devji". Ideology of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sindhiyat: Leading to a Virtuous World (1st ed.). Patiala: Twentyfirst Century Publications. pp. 120–124. ISBN 978-81-943233-9-6. <a href="978-81-943233-9-6" target="_blank">978-81-943233-9-6</a> <a href="#fnref:44" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:45"><p>Kochar, Mandeep Kaur; Pahwa, Gurjit Kaur; Garcha, Pargat Singh; Wadhwani, Heena D. (2019). "A Historical Overview of Sindhi Hindus in Pakistan and India — Their Reverence to Guru Nanak Devji". Ideology of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sindhiyat: Leading to a Virtuous World (1st ed.). Patiala: Twentyfirst Century Publications. pp. 120–124. ISBN 978-81-943233-9-6. <a href="978-81-943233-9-6" target="_blank">978-81-943233-9-6</a> <a href="#fnref:45" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:46"><p>Kochar, Mandeep Kaur; Pahwa, Gurjit Kaur; Garcha, Pargat Singh; Wadhwani, Heena D. (2019). "A Historical Overview of Sindhi Hindus in Pakistan and India — Their Reverence to Guru Nanak Devji". Ideology of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sindhiyat: Leading to a Virtuous World (1st ed.). Patiala: Twentyfirst Century Publications. pp. 120–124. ISBN 978-81-943233-9-6. <a href="978-81-943233-9-6" target="_blank">978-81-943233-9-6</a> <a href="#fnref:46" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:47"><p>Zee New 18 10 2011 <a href="http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/away-from-punjab-the-south-indian-sikhs_737141.html" target="_blank">http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/away-from-punjab-the-south-indian-sikhs_737141.html</a> <a href="#fnref:47" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:48"><p>Zee New 18 10 2011 <a href="http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/away-from-punjab-the-south-indian-sikhs_737141.html" target="_blank">http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/away-from-punjab-the-south-indian-sikhs_737141.html</a> <a href="#fnref:48" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>