Sikhs ਸਿੱਖ
The Nishan Sahib, flag of the Sikhs
Total population
25,000,000 (25 million)[1]
Regions with significant populations
India      19,215,730Census of India Other significant population centers:
United Kingdom 336,179  Canada 278,400 2001 Canadaian Census - Sikh Pop.  United States 100,000 2007 Sikh Pop. of USA East African Community 100,000 [citation needed]  Malaysia 100,000 [2] Middle East 85,000  Italy 70,000 2004 Sikh Pop. of Italy [3]  Thailand 70,000 2006 Sikh Pop. of Thailand [4]  Australia 50,000  Hong Kong 7,500  Bangladesh 23,300 [citation needed]  Pakistan 20,000 Sub-continent Sikh Population breakdown [5]  Kuwait 20,000 Sikh Pop. of Kuwait[6]  France 10,000 Estimate of French Sikh pop \'Workshop on Indian Migration\' at Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Urbaine/CNRS (14/15 November 2006) Abstract \'Sikhs in France\' by Christine MOLINER (PhD Student, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS)[7]  Singapore 9,733 Sikh Pop. of Singapore [8]  New Zealand 9,507 New Zealand Sikh Pop. via NZ 2006 census [9]  Belgium 5,000–6,000  Nepal 5,890 NSikh Pop. of Nepal [10]  Germany 5,000 Sikh Pop. of Germany for statistical sampling [11]  Greece 5,000  Fiji 4,674 UN figures for Fiji 1986 [12]  Austria 2,794 Sikh Pop. of Austria [13]  Afghanistan 2,000  Japan 2,000  Ireland 1,200 Sikh Pop. of Ireland from The Times [14]
Language(s)
Spoken & written script of holy Guru Granth Sahib: Written language of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is: Gurmukhi, Sahiskriti and Sant BhashaHarjinder Singh article on the liturgical script of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji [15] Spoken words: Punjabi, Bengali, Brij Bhasha and PersianDr Kanwar Ranvir Singh article referring to the liturgical language of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji [16] Predominant spoken languages: The vernacular language of the home nation in the Sikh diaspora, significantly including Punjabi, English, Hindi, Urdu, Swahili, Malaysian, and Thai
Religion(s)
Sikhism
Footnotes
† Estimated figure as of 2004. ‡ Indonesian law does not recognize Sikhism, thus Sikhs are not allowed to identify themselves as such on their identity cards or birth or marriage certificates, Sikhs are therefore registered as Hindu.

Sikh (English: [si�k] or [sɪk]; Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖ, sikkh, IPA: [\'sɪk.kʰ]) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. The term has its origin in the Sanskrit "shishya", which means disciple or learner. Many male Sikhs can easily be recognized by their turbans, beards, or steel bracelets on their right wrists.Etymology of \'Sikh\'[17]

The evolution of Sikhs began with the emergence of Guru Nanak as a religious leader and a social reformer during the fifteenth century in Punjab. Their identity was formalised and weilded into uniform practise by Guru Gobind Singh on march 30, 1699. The Latter baptised five persons from different social backgrounds to form the social brotherhood of the Khalsa. The first five, Pure Ones, then baptised Gobind Singh into the Khalsa fold.Singh, Patwant. The Sikhs. Knopf, 14. ISBN 0375407286. 

The Sikhs established a nation, under Ranjit Singh, in the nineteenth century in which they were preeminent. They were known for their military prowess, administrative capabilties, economic productivity and their adaptability to modern western technology and administration.Gibson, Margaret A. (1988). Accommodation Without Assimilation:Sikh Immigrants in an American High School. Cornell University Press. ISBN 0801495032. 

During the Indian Independence Struggle; Out of 2,175 Martyrs 1,557, (75 percent), were Sikhs,Puri, Rajinder (1992). Recovery Of India. India: Har-Anand Publications, 99. ISBN 8124100039. . out of 2,646 Indians sent to Andamans for life imprisonment 2,147,(80 percent), were Sikhs, out of 127 Indians who were hanged 92, (80 percent), were Sikhs, out of 20,000 who joined the INA under Bose 12000, (60 percent), were Sikhs.

The sikhs comprise about 2 percent of India\'s billion population.The greater Punjab region is the historic homeland of Sikhism. Most Sikhs are from the Punjabi people and now come from the Punjab region of India, although significant communities exist around the world.

Sikh Philosophy

Main article: Sikhism

Main article: Sikh Gurus

The core philosophy of the Sikh religion can be understood in the beginning hymn of the holy Guru Granth Sahib,

Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith, summed up the basis of Sikh lifestyle in three requirements: Naam Japo, Kirat Karni and Wand kay Shako, which means meditate on the holy name (Waheguru), work diligently and honestly and share one\'s fruits.Concepts of Seva and Simran[19]

The Sikhs revere Guru Granth Sahib as their supreme teacher, as it is a literal transcript of the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. The tenth Guru appointed Guru Granth Sahib as his successor. Compiled by the Sikh Gurus, and maintained in its original form, Sikhs revere Guru Granth Sahib as their supreme guide. Non-Sikhs can partake fully in Sikh prayer meetings and social functions. Their daily prayers include the well being of whole mankind.Eleanor Nesbitt, "Sikhism: a very short introduction", ISBN 0-19-280601-7, Oxford University Press, pp. 13–21

The concept of saint-soldier is a unique feature of Sikhism. Every Sikh is required to aspire to sainthood by his devotion to God and service to mankind, but also, according to the situation, to adopt the role of the soldier. A Sikh is also commanded, if necessary and circumstances allow, to lay his or her life down to protect the poor and weak, regardless of race, religion, sex or creed. The Sikhs look at the martyrdom of the 9th Guru for trying to protect Hindus from religious persecution, in Delhi, on 11 November 1675 AD, as an example to be followed.Sri Guru Tegh Bhadur Sahib J

Sikhs are required not to renounce the world,Sikh Philosophical Tenants[20] and aspire to live a modest life. Seva (service) is an integral part of Sikh worship, very easily observed in the Gurdwara. Visitors of any religious or socio-economic background are welcomed, where Langar (food for all) is always served.

The Sikhs also revere Bhaktas or Saints belonging to different social backgrounds. The work of these Bhagats is collected in Guru Granth Sahib, and is known as Bhagat-Bani (sacred word of bhagat) as against work of Sikh Gurus being known as Gur-Bani (sacred word of guru).

People revered by Sikhs also include:\'The Sikh Gurus\'. Authoritative essays on the Sikh Gurus and Saints/Sant by Sandeep Singh Brar[21]

• Bhai Mardana: (One of the first followers and lifelong companion of Guru Nanak)
• Bhai Bala:(One of the first followers and lifelong companion of Guru Nanak)
• Baba Buddha: (Sikh saint, held the position of high Granthi in the Sikh religion)
• Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: (Fought and Defeated Mughal Governor of Punjab Wazir Khan and established Sikh force in Punjab)
• Baba Deep Singh: (Sikh saint, defended Golden Temple with his head in his hand)
• Bhai Mani Singh(Sikh Scholar, compiled the Dasam Granth)
• Bhai Taru Singh (Was a great patron of the poor)
• Bhai Gurdas (Known for his interpretation of bani)

Early Sikh Scholars included Bhai Vir Singh and Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha

Five Ks

Main article: Five Ks

Main article: Khalsa

Main article: Sahajdhari

Kanga, Kara and Kirpan - three of the five articles of faith endowed to the Sikhs.

• Kesh (uncut hair)
• Kanga (wooden comb)
• Kaccha (specially-designed underwear)
• Kara (Iron bracelet)
• Kirpan (strapped sword).

They are for identification and representation of the ideals of Sikhism, such as honesty, equality, fidelity, meditating on God, and never bowing to tyranny.Eleanor Nesbitt, "Sikhism: a very short introduction", ISBN 0-19-280601-7, Oxford University Press, pp. 40–43

History

Main article: History of Sikhism

A Sikh Empire warrior\'s battle helmet

Essentially Sikh history, with respect to Sikhs as a distinct political body, can be said to have began with the martyrdom of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in 1606. Sikh distinction was further enhanced by the establishment of the Sikh \'Pure\' brotherhood or Khalsa (ਖਾਲਸਾ), by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.BBC History of Sikhism - The Khalsa. Sikh world history. BBC Religion & Ethics (2003-08-29). Retrieved on 2007-09-11. This gives the Sikhs, as an organized political grouping, a history of around 400 years.

Generally Sikhs have had amicable relations with other religious communities. However, during the Islamic conquest of India (1556–1707), prominent Sikh Gurus were martyred by the ruling Mughals for opposing the Mughul\'s persecution of non-Islamic religious communities.McLeod, Hew (1987). "Sikhs and Muslims in the Punjab". South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies 22 (s1): 155–165. doi:10.1080/00856408708723379. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.  Subsequently, the Sikhs militarized to oppose Islamic hegemony. The emergence of the Sikh Empire under reign of the Sikh Maharajah Ranjit Singh was characterized by religious tolerance and pluralism with Christians, Muslims and Hindus in positions of power. The establishment of the Sikh Empire is commonly considered the zenith of Sikh political sovereignty,Lafont, Jean-Marie ((May 16, 2002)). Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Lord of the Five Rivers (French Sources of Indian History Sources). USA: Oxford University Press, 23–29. ISBN 0195661117.  during this time the Sikh Empire came to include Kashmir, Ladakh, and Peshawar. The Empire\'s secular administration integrated innovative military, economic and governmental reforms also influenced by the Nepoleonic model. Culturally amongst the achievements of the Empire was the establishment of the Imam Bakhsh Lahori school of painting, the discovery of Gandhara art, and the exploration of the Himalayas.

A Sikh Empire war medal

The months leading up to the partition India in 1947, saw heavy conflict in the Punjab between Sikh and Muslim, which saw the effective ethnic cleansing of Sikhs from West Punjab which mirrored a similar ethnic cleansing of Muslims in East Punjab.

The 1960s saw growing animosity and rioting between Sikhs and Hindus in India,Lukas, J. Anthony (March 20, 1966), "Hindu vs. Sikh: Why the Killing", The New York Times: 209, <http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10916F73D5C15768FDDA90A94DB405B868AF1D3> as the Sikhs agitated for the creation of a Sikh majority state, an undertaking which was promised to the Sikh leader Master Tara Singh by Nehru in return for Sikh political support during the negotiations for Indian Independence.Telford, Hamish (Nov., 1992). "The Political Economy of Punjab: Creating Space for Sikh Militancy". Asian Survey 32 (11): 969–987. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.  Sikhs obtained the Sikh majority state of Punjab on November 1, 1966.

argues that Gandhi\'s assumption of emergency powers in 1975 resulted in the weakening of the "legitimate and impartial machinery of government" and her increasing "paranoia" of opposing political groups led her to instigate a "despotic policy of playing castes, religions and political groups against each other for political advantage". As a reaction against these actions came the emergence of the Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who vocalized Sikh sentiment for justice and advocated the creation of a Sikh homeland, Khalistan. This accelerated Punjab into a state of communal violence.Pace, Eric (November 1, 1984), "Assassination in India: Sikhs at the center of the drama; Sikh separation dates back to \'47", The New York Times: 24, <http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20711FF385D0C728CDDA80994DC484D81> Gandhi\'s 1984 action to defeat Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale led to desecration of the Golden Temple in Operation Bluestar and ultimately led to Gandhi\'s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards.

The Golden Temple is one of the oldest Sikh gurudwara and houses Akal Takht

This resulted in an explosion of violence against the Sikh community in the anti Sikh Riots which resulted in the massacre of thousands of Sikhs throughout India; Khushwant Singh described the actions as being a Sikh pogram in which he "felt like a refugee in my country. In fact, I felt like a Jew in Nazi Germany".Peer, Basharat (May 9, 2001). Anti-Sikh riots a pogrom: Khushwant. News Report. Rediff. Retrieved on 2007-09-11. Since 1984, relations between Sikhs and Hindus have reached a rapprochement helped by growing economic prosperity; however in 2002 the claims of the popular right-wing Hindu organization the RSS, that "Sikhs are Hindus" angered Sikh sensibilities.Rambachan, Anantanand. "The Co-existence of Violence and Non-Violence in Hinduism". The Ecumenical Review 55: 2003. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.  Many Sikhs still are campaigning for justice for victims of the violence and the political and economic needs of the Punjab espoused in the Khalistan movement.

In 1996 the Special Rapporteur for the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief, Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia, 1993–2004), visited India in order to compose a report on religious discrimination. In 1997,Pike, John (2005-04-27), Military: Sikhs in Punjab, <http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/punjab.htm>. Retrieved on 11 September 2007 Amor concluded, "it appears that the situation of the Sikhs in the religious field is satisfactory, but that difficulties are arising in the political (foreign interference, terrorism, etc.), economic (in particular with regard to sharing of water supplies) and even occupational fields. Information received from nongovernment (sic)sources indicates that discrimination does exist in certain sectors of the public administration; examples include the decline in the number of Sikhs in the police force and the absence of Sikhs in personal bodyguard units since the murder of Indira Gandhi".Amor, Abdelfattah (1997), UNHR Documents on India, Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/23: Commission on Human Rights, 53rd Session, pp. 1–22, <http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?c=84&su=90>

Distribution

Main article: Sikh diaspora

Chart showing India\'s total Sikh population and their percentage of the total Indian population.

Numbering approximately 23 million worldwide, Sikhs make up 0.39%CIA Factbook [22] of the world population of which approximately 83% live in India. Of the Indian Sikh community 14.6 million, i.e. 76% of all Indian Sikhs, live in the northern Indian State of Punjab (India), where they form a majority 59.9% of the population. Substantial communities of Sikhs, i.e. greater than 200,000, live in the Indian States/Union territories of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal and Jammu and Kashmir.Break down of Indian Sikh population by Indian States/Union territories [23]

Sikh migration from the then British India began in earnest from the 2nd half of the 19th century when the British had completed their annexation of the Punjab.Dutt & Surinder, Devgun ([1977-09-23]), "Diffusion of Sikhism and recent migration patterns of Sikhs in India", GeoJournal 1 (5): 81-89, ISSN 1572-9893, <http://www.springerlink.com/content/p726g4t656018333/> The British Raj preferentially recruited Sikhs in the Indian Civil Service and, in particular, the British Indian Army, which led to migration of Sikhs to different parts of British India and the British Empire. During the era of the British Raj, semiskilled Sikh artisans were also transported from the Punjab to British East Africa to help in the building of railways. After World War II, Sikhs emigrated from both India and Pakistan, most going to the United Kingdom but many also headed for North America. Some of the Sikhs who had settled in eastern Africa were expelled by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 1972. "Sikhism". Encyclopædia Britannica. (2007). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved on 2007-09-12.  Subsequently the main \'push\' factor for Sikh migration has been economic with significant Sikh communities now being found in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, East Africa, Australasia and Thailand.

Johnson, Todd & Barrett, David ([2004-09-02]), "Quantifying alternate futures of religion and religions", Futures 36 (9): 947–960, doi:10.1016/j.futures.2004.02.009, ">Johnson, Todd & Barrett, David ([2004-09-02]), "Quantifying alternate futures of religion and religions", Futures 36 (9): 947–960, doi:10.1016/j.futures.2004.02.009, " src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f2/World_Sikh_Pop._Map_2004-02.JPG/350px-World_Sikh_Pop._Map_2004-02.JPG" width="350" height="183" border="0" class="thumbimage" />

Map showing world Sikh population areas and historical migration patterns (Est. 2004).Johnson, Todd & Barrett, David ([2004-09-02]), "Quantifying alternate futures of religion and religions", Futures 36 (9): 947–960, doi:10.1016/j.futures.2004.02.009, <http://www.sciencedirect.com>

Whilst the rate of Sikh migration from the Punjab has remained high, traditional patterns of Sikh migration, that favored English speaking countries, particularly the United Kingdom has changed in the past decade due to factors such as stricter immigration procedures. Moliner(2006)Moliner, Christine (2006-09-15), "Sikhs in France", Migration Patterns - Workshop on Indian Migration, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales(EHESS): Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Urbaine/CNRS, pp. abstract, <http://www.ivry.cnrs.fr/lau/IMG/rtf/Abstracts.rtf> states that as a consequence of the \'fact\' that Sikh migration to the UK had "become virtually impossible since the late 1970s", Sikh migration patterns altered to continental Europe. Italy has now emerged as a fast growing area for Sikh migration,Ciprani, Ralph (2006-05-14), "Sikh Storia e immigrazione - The Sikhs: History and Immigration", International Sociology 21: 474–476, <http://iss.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/21/3/474> with Reggio Emilia and the Vicenza province being areas of significant Sikh population clusters.IANS. "Now, Sikhs do a Canada in Italy", NRIinternet, 2004-09-15. Retrieved on 2007-09-15. (English)  The Italian Sikhs are generally involved in areas of agriculture, agro-processing, machine tools and horticulture.Singh, Kulwinder. "Italy may open VISA office in Chandigarh very soon", NRIinternet, 2007-08-11. Retrieved on 2007-09-15. (English) 

Due primarily to socio-economic reasons, Indian Sikhs have the lowest adjusted decadal growth rate of any major religious group in India, at 16.9% per decade (est. 1991–2001).Proportion and growth rate of population by religious communities, India, 1961–2001 (PDF). Office of the Registrar General, India. CensusIndia (2004-09-06). Retrieved on 2007-09-15. Johnson and Barrett(2004) estimate that the global Sikh population increases annually by 392,633 Sikhs, i.e. by 1.7% p.a. on 2004 figures, this growth rate takes into account factors such as births, deaths and conversions.

Representation

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shakes hands with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney after delivering a speech to the Joint session of the United States Congress as Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert looks on.

Sikhs are represented in Indian politics, with the current Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and the Deputy Chairman of the Indian Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, all hailing from the community. The current Chief-minister of Punjab is a Sikh Parkash Singh Badal.

Past Indian Sikh politicians have included Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon, Speaker of the Parliament of India. Pratap Singh Kairon, Union minister, famous Sikh Indian independence movement leader and former Chief-minister of Punjab (India).

Prominent politicians of the Sikh Diaspora include the first Asian American to be elected as a full voting Member of United States Congress Dalip Singh Saund,First Asian-American Congressman Gets His Own Post Office. Pacific News Service. Pacific News Alliance (2005-02-21). Retrieved on 2007-09-15. the former mayoress of Dunedin Sukhi Turner, the current UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Parmjit Dhanda MPlist of all government ministers. 10 Downing Street. directgov (2007-08-29). Retrieved on 2007-09-15. and the Canadian Shadow Social Development Minister Ruby Dhalla MP. Vic Dhillon, is a famous Sikh Canadian politician and current member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Sikhs make up 10–15% of all ranks in the Indian Army and 20% of its officers,Kundu, Apurba (Spring, 1994). "The Indian Armed Forces\' Sikh and Non-Sikh Officers\' Opinions of Operation Blue Star". Pacific Affairs 67 (1): 46–69. doi:10.2307/2760119. Retrieved on 2007-09-11. 

whilst Sikhs only forming 1.87% of the Indian population, which makes them over 10 times more likely to be a solider and officer in the Indian Army than the average Indian.After partition: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. BBC In Depth. BBC News (2007-08-08). Retrieved on 2007-09-11. Indeed, most Sikh men in India are commonly referred to with the title of Sardar, which means commander in Persian and is a sign of military authority.

Photo of Marshal of the Air Force of India Arjan Singh

The Sikh Regiment is the highest decorated regiment of the Indian Army,http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/rgt-sikh.htm with 73 Battle Honours, 14 Victoria Crosses,Excerpts from British High Commissioner Michael Arthur, talk [24] 21 first class Indian Order of Merit (equivalent to the Victoria Cross),History of Sikh gallantry 15 Theatre Honours and 5 COAS Unit Citations besides 2 Param Vir Chakras, 14 Maha Vir Chakras, 5 Kirti Chakras, 67 Vir Chakras and 1596 other gallantry awards.

The Sikh Regiment Battle Insignia

The current highest ranking General of the Indian Army is a Sikh General Joginder Jaswant Singh and the highest-ranking General in the history of the Indian Air Force is a Sikh Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh.Jagan Pillarisetti. Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Advanced plans by the MOD to raise an Infantry UK Sikh Regiment were scrapped in June 2007 to the disappointment of the UK Sikh community and Prince Charles of Britain.