Sikhism

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Origins

Maharajah Duleep Singh ©

Most of Britain's Sikhs have their origins in immigration either from the Punjab in Northwest India in the 1950s and 60s, or from East Africa slightly later.

The first recorded Sikh settler in Britain was Maharajah Duleep Singh.

The first settler - The first recorded Sikh settler in Britain was Maharajah Duleep Singh. Duleep Singh was the last ruler of the Sikh kingdom of Punjab.

The Maharajah was dethroned after six years' rule, and exiled to Britain in 1849 at the age of 14, after the Anglo-Sikh wars.

There is a statue to the Maharajah at Butten Island, Thetford, Norfolk, near the Elveden Estate where he lived in Britain. The statue was unveiled by the Prince of Wales in 1999.

Despite the early arrival of the Maharajah, the first Sikh Gurdwara (temple) was not established until 1911, at Putney in London.

The main immigration of the Sikhs - The first Sikh migration came in the 1950s. It was mostly of men from the Punjab seeking work in British industry, which had a shortage of unskilled labour. Most of the new arrivals worked in industries like foundries and textiles.

These new arrivals mostly settled in London, Birmingham and West Yorkshire.

The first batch of Sikh migrants usually removed the outward religious symbols (turban, hair and beard) as racist prejudice in Britain would have kept them out of work.

Why did they leave the Punjab? People wanted to leave the Punjab not just because there was a shortage of industrial and agricultural jobs, but also because of the chaotic aftermath of the 1947 division of "British" India into the secular but largely Hindu state of India and the Muslim state of Pakistan.

The frontier between India and Pakistan ran through the Sikh homeland of the Punjab. There was bloodshed and destruction as millions of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs tried to cross the border to the safety of their own communities.

The Punjab changed from a settled and prosperous area to a violent and overcrowded frontier zone. Many Sikhs left the area that was to become Pakistan to move to the Indian section of the Punjab, while others left India altogether.

The Punjab was disrupted again in 1966, when India further subdivided it into 3 parts, with the creation of the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

Immigration from East Africa - The migration from East Africa was the result of the move to Africanise countries like Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, depriving many Asians of their work, and in many cases expelling them altogether.

The Sikhs from East Africa took a robust attitude to the outward symbols of Sikhism and continued to wear them.

Since they had been living as an expatriate community in Africa for over 70 years they were accustomed to being a highly visible minority.They also had the further advantage of usually being highly skilled and employable, in contrast to the humble labourers from the Punjab.

The presence of a group of Sikhs who radiated pride in being members of the Khalsa encouraged those who had weakened to return to the 5Ks. This strengthened the identity and the visibility of the British Sikhs as a whole.

Numbers today - The 2001 census recorded 336,000 Sikhs living in Britain today.

GurpurbsFind this year's dates in the multifaith calendar

Gurpurbs are festivals that are associated with the lives of the Gurus. They are happy occasions which are celebrated most enthusiastically by Sikhs.

The most important Gurpurbs are:

[*]The birthday of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism (April or November)

[*]The birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa (January)

[*]The martyrdom of Guru Arjan (June)

[*]The martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (November/December)

The Guru Granth Sahib is read in its entirety ©

Sikhs celebrate Gurpurbs with an akhand path. This is a complete and continuous reading of Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, that takes 48 hours and finishes on the day of the festival. This is also performed in times of ceremony such as birth, death, marriage and moving into a new home.

The reading is done by a team of readers, who may be professionals or family members (in the case of family rites). Each reads for two to three hours.

The Akhand Path originated in India in the mid 18th century, when there were few copies of the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs were at war and hid in the jungles. They gathered round to hear readings from the sacred text before the text was moved on to be read to other groups of Sikhs.

Gurdwaras are decorated with flowers, flags and lights, and Sikhs dress up in new or smart clothes and join together for special services. Hymns are sung from the Guru Granth Sahib, poems are recited in praise of the Gurus and there are lectures on Sikhism.

Panj Piaras, representing the first initiated Sikhs, in a procession ©

In India and parts of Britain, there are processions where the Sikh Scripture is paraded around. Five people representing the first five members of the Khalsa (the Panj Piaras or Five Beloved Ones) head the procession carrying the Sikh flag. Musicians, singers and martial artists follow. Outside some Gudwaras, free sweets are offered to the general public, regardless of their faith.

Food is important in this festival. Sikhs come together to eat special food such as Karah Parasaad, a sweet-tasting food which has been blessed and is served warm. Free meals (langars) are served at the Gudwaras.

Kara - a steel bracelet ©

[*]Throughout history hair (kesh) has been regarded as a symbol both of holiness and strength.

[*]One's hair is part of God's creation. Keeping hair uncut indicates that one is willing to accept God's gift as God intended it.

[*]Uncut hair symbolizes adoption of a simple life, and denial of pride in one's appearance.

[*]Not cutting one's hair is a symbol of one's wish to move beyond concerns of the body and attain spiritual maturity.

[*]A Sikh should only bow his head to the Guru, and not to a barber.

[*]It is a highly visible symbol of membership of the group.

[*]It follows the appearance of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa.

Sikh women are just as forbidden to cut any body hair or even trim their eyebrows, as Sikh men are forbidden to trim their beards.

Before you ask: A Sikh is not allowed to cut hair from any part of the body.

Kara - a steel bracelet

[*]A symbol of restraint and gentility.

[*]A symbol that a Sikh is linked to the Guru.

[*]It acts as a reminder that a Sikh should not do anything of which the Guru would not approve.

[*]A symbol of God having no beginning or end.

[*]A symbol of permanent bonding to the community-being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs (the word for link is 'kari').

[*]The Kara is made of steel, rather than gold or silver, because it is not an ornament.

Kanga - a wooden comb - This symbolises a clean mind and body; since it keeps the uncut hair neat and tidy.

It symbolises the importance of looking after the body which God has created. This does not conflict with the Sikh's aim to move beyond bodily concerns; since the body is one's vehicle for enlightenment one should care for it appropriately.

Kachha - special underwear - This is a pair of breeches that must not come below the knee. It was a particularly useful garment for Sikh warriors of the 18th and 19th centuries, being very suitable for warfare when riding a horse.

It's a symbol of chastity.

There is no fixed style of Kirpan, the ceremonial sword ©

Kirpan - a ceremonial sword - There is no fixed style of Kirpan and it can be anything from a few inches to three feet long. It is kept in a sheath and can be worn over or under clothing.

The Kirpan can symbolise:

• Spirituality
  
• The soldier part of the Soldier-Saints
  
• Defence of good
  
• Defence of the weak
  
• The struggle against injustice
  
• A metaphor for God
  

O Sword, O Conqueror of continents,

O Vanquisher of the hosts of evil,

O Embellisher of the brave in the field of battle.

Thy Arms are unbreakable,

Thy Light refulgent,

Thy Glory and Splendor dazzle like the sun.

O Happiness of the holy,

O Crusher of evil intent,

O Subduer of sin, I seek Thy refuge. Guru Gobind Singh

For a Sikh the fact that the Guru has instructed the Sikhs to wear the 5 Ks is an entirely sufficient reason, and no more need be said.

The symbols have become greatly more powerful with each passing year of Sikh history.

Every Sikh remembers that every Sikh warrior, saint, or martyr since 1699, and every living member of the Khalsa, is united with them in having adopted the same 5 Ks.