The History of "Kaur"

[Guest Jai Singh]

I would like to know more about the history of the title "Kaur" in Sikhism.

After doing much research in to works such Gur sobha, Gur Bilas, and other primary sources of the 18th century and puratan rehatnamas and hukamnammas, I cannot find much evidence that this title was introducded on Vaisakahi day 1699.

Please refer to Mcleod's book Sikhs of the Khalsa: A history of the Khalsa Rahit, and Mcelod has stated that the title Kaur may have been introduced by the Singh Sabha movement in early 20th century.

Could you provide me with more information on this and any primary sources of the 17th or 18th century I can refer that can confirm that Kaur title was introduced in 1699.

Thank you.

[gurdeepsinghjohal]

Kaur is an old word, infact one bibi ji/mata ji relative of our Guru Sahib had surname Kaur. Sorry I lost that file. Mcleod even says Five K's was given by Singh Sabha movement.

[singh598]

the word Kaur actually doesn't mean princess as popularly believed in fact it is derived from the term kanwar which means pure/chaste woman - its not a suprise sikh girls prefer to no longer use this prefix, i wonder why

Singh comes from the Rajasthani rajputs. They basically belonged to the warrior class of people and were located in Rajasthan and some central parts of India. However there is conflict regarding the rise of the Rajputs and there are many theories that put forward different incidents that led to the rise of the Rajput empire. The royal Rajputs of Rajasthan ruled successfully over Rajasthan and Gujarat for a period of 500 years. Read further about the history of Rajasthan Rajputs.

Being essentially in the warrior class, the Rajputs had huge armies of soldiers. There were bodyguards and watchmen who were very loyal to their masters. In fact, the Rajputs were known for their loyalty and trustworthy nature. The Rajputs were skillful warriors and followed a strict code of conduct when it came to waging a battle and driving away an enemy. There are many tales and folklores about the bravery of the Rajputs. The Rajputs were God fearing people and were devoted to Vishnu, Rama and Sun God.

A very famous Rajput ruler was Prithviraj Chauhan who waged a fierce battle against Muhammad Ghauri around the 12th century. When the Mughals invaded some Rajput rulers converted to Islam, which then laid the foundation of one of the biggest pre-colonial empire in South East Asia. The Rajputs were known for their unique architectural wonders and built many palaces and forts in and around Rajasthan and Gujarat. The forts and temples they built then still stand strong and provide a glimpse of the royal heritage of the Rajputs.

With time the power of the Rajputs began to decline mainly due to the fact that they were unable to move with time. The Mughals invaded and captured huge parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. After the efforts of Babur, emperor Humayun and Akbar virtually conquered almost all parts of the Rajput Empire. This happened by not just wars but also through matrimonial alliances of the Mughals and the Rajputs. With the arrival of the British, all Rajput states became colonies of the British thus ending the regal reign of the Rajputs.

[chatanga]

the word Kaur actually doesn't mean princess as popularly believed in fact it is derived from the term kanwar which means pure/chaste woman - its not a suprise sikh girls prefer to no longer use this prefix, i wonder why

Kanwar means "The King's Child". We just assume that it mean princess.

You will find there are a lot of discrepancies between the Sikhi before 1849 and after.

Even Mata Sahib Kaur signed her hukamnamas as Sahib Devan, and the Gurdwara near Hazur Sahib is called as such.

Namdhari Sikhs claim that their "guru" was the first to initiate women alongside men. Personally i am not sure about this, but I have not read anything that suggests otherwise about this before the 1860s.

Like the OP, i have not read anything that suggests that Kaur was introduced in 1699, in fact the few accounts that i have read of that time, dont even mention Mata Sahib Kaur, or her adding patashas at all.

If anyone does have any recommended reading on this i would love to hear your suggestions.