The word 'Sikh' means a 'disciple', A Sikh is a person who believes in One God and teachings of ten Gurus enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book. Additionally he or she must take Amrit, the Sikh Baptism.
The Sikh religion was founded by guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 AD. in the village Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib near Lahore (Pakistan). Right from his child hood his keenmind would not accept all the groundless rituals, superstitions and dogmas which passedfor 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 and secular part in the world. The Tenth and the last Guru, Guru Govind singh initiated the sikh baptism ceremony , and thus gave a distinctive identity to the sikhs. The first five Baptised Sikhs were named Panj Payre (Five Beloved Ones), who in turn baptised the Guru on his request.
Guru Govind singh before passing away the Guru ordained the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy Scripture would be the ultimate spritual authority for the Sikhs and the temporal authority would vest in the Khalsa Panth - The Sikh Commonwealth. Guru Granth Sahib was Completed and edited by the Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in 1604. This is the only scripture in the world which has been compiled by the founders of the faith during their own life time.
Guru Arjan Dev also built the world famous Gurudwara - Darbar Sahib, at Amritsar also known as Golden Temple, 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 the communal fanatism. They had to make supreme sacrificies to protect and preserve their faith and seperate entity.
The Mughal Empire was on the verge of disintegration. The Afghans had started invading the country. The Sikhs availed of this opportunity to establish their own kingdom which they ultimately achived under Maharaja ranjit Singh. The Sikh empire lasted for half a centuryand was annexed by the English.
During the freedom struggle of India a large number of Sikhs Kissed the Hangman's noose, faced all the brutalities and braved the bullets and suffered long term imprisonments in order to liberate the country.
The Sikh religion was founded by guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 AD. in the village Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib near Lahore (Pakistan). Right from his child hood his keenmind would not accept all the groundless rituals, superstitions and dogmas which passedfor 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 and secular part in the world. The Tenth and the last Guru, Guru Govind singh initiated the sikh baptism ceremony , and thus gave a distinctive identity to the sikhs. The first five Baptised Sikhs were named Panj Payre (Five Beloved Ones), who in turn baptised the Guru on his request.
Guru Govind singh before passing away the Guru ordained the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy Scripture would be the ultimate spritual authority for the Sikhs and the temporal authority would vest in the Khalsa Panth - The Sikh Commonwealth. Guru Granth Sahib was Completed and edited by the Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in 1604. This is the only scripture in the world which has been compiled by the founders of the faith during their own life time.
Guru Arjan Dev also built the world famous Gurudwara - Darbar Sahib, at Amritsar also known as Golden Temple, 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 the communal fanatism. They had to make supreme sacrificies to protect and preserve their faith and seperate entity.
The Mughal Empire was on the verge of disintegration. The Afghans had started invading the country. The Sikhs availed of this opportunity to establish their own kingdom which they ultimately achived under Maharaja ranjit Singh. The Sikh empire lasted for half a centuryand was annexed by the English.
During the freedom struggle of India a large number of Sikhs Kissed the Hangman's noose, faced all the brutalities and braved the bullets and suffered long term imprisonments in order to liberate the country.
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