Punjabi Sikhs

Ethnic group of the Indian subcontinent

Ethnic group

Punjabi Sikhs

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿੱਖ  · پنجابی سکھ
Panjābī Sikh

A painting of a Punjabi Sikh family, circa late 19th century

Total population
c. 25-28 million approx.
(Worldwide)[1][2][3]
Regions with significant populations
Punjab, India| 16,004,754 (2011 census)[4][a]
Haryana| 1,243,752 (2011)[4][a]
Rajasthan| 872,930 (2011)[4][a]
Uttar Pradesh| 643,500 (2011)[4][a]
Delhi| 570,581 (2011)[4][a]
Uttarakhand| 236,340 (2011)[4][a]
Maharashtra| 223,247 (2011)[4][a]
Madhya Pradesh| 151,412 (2011)[4][a]
Chandigarh| 138,329 (2011)[4][a]
Himachal Pradesh| 79,896 (2011)[4][a]
Languages
Sacred language
Sant Bhasha

Ethnic language
Punjabi and its dialects
Code language
Khalsa bole

Other languages
Hindi, English
Religion
Sikhism
Related ethnic groups

* Punjabi Hindus
* Punjabi Muslims
* Punjabi Christians

Part of a series on

Sikhism

* People
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* Outline
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* Glossary

Sikh gurus

* Guru Nanak
* Guru Angad
* Guru Amar Das
* Guru Ram Das
* Guru Arjan
* Guru Hargobind
* Guru Har Rai
* Guru Har Krishan
* Guru Tegh Bahadur
* Guru Gobind Singh
* Guru Granth Sahib

Selected revered saints

* Bhagat Kabir
* Bhagat Ravidas
* Bhagat Farid
* Bhagat Ramanand
* Bhagat Beni
* Bhagat Namdev
* Bhagat Sadhana
* Bhagat Bhikhan
* Bhagat Parmanand
* Bhagat Sain
* Bhagat Dhanna
* Bhagat Pipa
* Bhagat Surdas
* Bhagat Jaidev
* Bhagat Trilochan
* Bhatt Kalshar
* Bhatt Balh
* Bhatt Bhalh
* Bhatt Bhika
* Bhatt Gayand
* Bhatt Harbans
* Bhatt Jalap
* Bhatt Kirat
* Bhatt Mathura
* Bhatt Nalh
* Bhatt Salh
* Baba Sundar
* Satta Doom
* Balvand Rai

Philosophy

* Naam Japo
* Kirat Karō
* Vand Chakkō
* Charhdi Kalā
* Guru Maneyo Granth
* Five Thieves
* Five Virtues

Practices

* Sikh Rehat Maryada
* Prohibitions
* Ardās
* Kirtan
* Amrit Velā
* Dasvand
* The Five Ks
* Langar
* Sewa
* Simran
* Nitnem
* Dastaar (Turban)
* Naam Karan
* Amrit Sanskar
* Anand Karaj
* Antam Sanskar

Scripture

* Guru Granth Sahib
* Dasam Granth
* Sarbloh Granth
* Five Banis

Places and Takhts

* Gurdwara
* Harmandir Sahib
* Akal Takht
* Keshgarh Sahib
* Damdama Sahib
* Patna Sahib
* Hazur Sahib

Culture

* Literature
* Music
* Names
* Khanda
* Khalsa

General topics

* Ik Onkar
* Waheguru
* Panj Pyare
* Nirgun and Sargun
* Nanakshahi calendar
* Criticism
* Jathedar of Akal Takht
* War
* Sects

Sikhism and other religions

* Sikhism and Hinduism
* Sikhism and Islam
* Sikhism and Jainism

* Religion portal

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Part of a series on

Punjabis

History

* Folklore
* Language
* Dialects
* Punjab
* Punjabis
* Nationalism

Diaspora

Asia

* Afghanistan

Europe

* United Kingdom

North America

* United States
* Mexican American
* Canada

Oceania

* Australia
* New Zealand
* Malaysia

Culture

* Clothing
* Cuisine
* Dance
* Festivals (India • Pakistan)
* Literature
* Media
* Music
* Religion (Folk religion • Islam • Sikhism • Hinduism • Christianity)
* Sport
* Television

Regions

* Majha
* Malwa
* Doaba
* Puadh
* Bagar
* Pothwar
* Derajat
* Bhatiore
* Bhattiana
* Chhachh
* Kachhi
* Doabs (Sindh Sagar • Chaj • Rachna • Bari • Bist)
* Bars (Sandal • Kirana • Neeli • Ganji • Gondal • Jungle)

Punjab portal

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Punjabi Sikhs are an ethnoreligious group of Punjabis who adhere to Sikhism. They are the second-largest religious group amongst Punjabis after the Punjabi Muslims, who predominantly inhabit Pakistani Punjab. Punjabi Sikhs form the largest religious community in the Indian state of Punjab. Sikhism is an indigenous religion that originated in the Punjab region of South Asia during the 15th century. The global Sikh population is primarily composed of Punjabis.[5]

Punjabi Sikhs primarily inhabit the Indian state of Punjab, the only Sikh-majority administrative division on Earth. Punjabi Sikhs make up 57.69% of the state’s population.[6] Many have ancestry from the greater Punjab region, an area that was partitioned between India and Pakistan in 1947. In the contemporary era, apart from Indian Punjab, Punjabi Sikhs are found in large numbers across the Indian states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Large numbers are also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, due to various immigration waves over the centuries.[7]

## History

[edit]

See also: History of Sikhism

The Sikh religion founder, Guru Nanak (1469–1539), was roughly a contemporary of the founder of Mughal Empire Babur in India. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in a Punjabi Hindu Khatri family, which was initially a community of scribes and traders.[8] In un-divided Punjab region, the eldest son of every Punjabi Hindu families was nominated and was represented as Sardars and had protected their family and Indic communities from the tyrannies of Mughal rulers and their torture.[9][10][11] A huge number of peasants from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds in Punjab have converted to Sikhism for various motives (such as conviction, fear, or economic) since the starting of new faith.[12]

## Militarism

[edit]

Indian Punjabi Sikh armies during their military training

The militarization of Punjabi Sikhs began after the execution of Guru Arjan Dev (5th Guru in Sikhism). Following his execution, a conflict erupted between the Mughal Empire and Sikhs which led to the last guru, Gobind Singh, establishing a militarized order known as the Khalsa, in 1699.[13] Punjabi Sikhs were regarded as one of the toughest and fiercest warriors by the British during their rule in the Indian subcontinent. Punjabi Sikh soldiers constituted a significant chunk of the British Indian Army due to their distinguished service in action.[14][15] Despite being only around 2% of India's population, Punjabi Sikhs constitute around 20% of the Indian Armed Forces, with the Punjab province being the 2nd largest contributor for manpower after Uttar Pradesh.[16][17]

## Language

[edit]

Punjabi Sikhs speak the Punjabi language as their mother tongue. Various dialects of the Punjabi language such as Bagri, Bilaspuri, Bhateali, Majhi, Doabi, Malwai, and Puadhi etc are spoken by Punjabi Sikhs across India and abroad as their mother tongue. In Indian Punjab, Punjabi is written in Gurmukhi script. In Pakistani Punjab, Shahmukhi script is used.[18] Gurmukhi is written from left to right, while Shahmukhi is written from right to left.[19][20] The use of Gurmukhi script generally started and developed during the time of second Sikh guru, Guru Angad Dev (1504–1552) who standardized it.[21] It is commonly regarded as a Sikh script. The Shahmukhi script has been used by Punjabi Muslims since the 12th century, when it was used by Punjabi Sufi poets. Shahmukhi is a Perso-Arabic alphabet script.[22]

## Culture

[edit]

See also: Punjabi culture

### Festivals

[edit]

Further information: List of Sikh festivals, Punjabi festivals, and Punjabi festivals (Pakistan)

The Punjabi Sikhs observe historic festivals such as Lohri, Basant and Vaisakhi as seasonal and cultural festivals in Punjab and outside of it. Other seasonal Punjabi festivals in India include Maghi and Teeyan respectively. Teeyan is also known as festival of females, as women enjoy it with their close friends. On the day of maghi, people fly kites and eat their traditional dish Punjabi dish khichdi.[23] Other festivals observed by Punjabi Sikhs includes the festivals of Sikhism like- Gurupurab, Bandi Chhor Divas, etc.

## Separatism

[edit]

Main article: Khalistan

The demand for Khalistan as a separate homeland for Sikhs is championed by a segment of the Punjabi Sikh population, various advocacy groups, and certain Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who demand secession of Indian Punjab from India. This movement, rooted in historical, political, and religious factors, emerged prominently in the 1970s and 1980s. Key advocates include local organizations in Punjab and Sikhs abroad, particularly in Canada, the UK, and the US. They seek to safeguard Sikh identity, achieve political autonomy, and address historical grievances such as Operation Blue Star and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. However, not all Sikhs support this idea, with many preferring integration within India to address issues through democratic means. While the Khalistan movement does not dominate mainstream Sikh politics today, it remains a contentious issue with varying levels of support.[24]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Figure is total Sikh population on census.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Who are Sikhs and what do they believe?". 5 August 2012.
2. ^ "Indianapolis Shootout: The US Has Long Lacked Understanding on Who Sikh People Are".
3. ^ "Behind the decline". frontline.thehindu.com. 16 September 2015.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Population by religion community – 2011". Census of India, 2011. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
5. ^ "Sikhism | History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature | Britannica".
6. ^ "Census 2011: %age of Sikhs drops in Punjab; migration to blame?". The Times of India. 27 August 2015.
7. ^ George, Usha, and Ferzana Chaze. "Punjabis/Sikhs in Canada." Mobility and Multiple Affiliations (2016): 91-104.
8. ^ "India - the Sikhs in the Punjab | Britannica".
9. ^ "From Guru Hargobind to Guru Gobind Singh: How the Sikh community militarised to take on the Mughals".
10. ^ Why was the first son made a Sikh
11. ^ "Sikhism | History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature | Britannica".
12. ^ Singh, Pritam (2008). Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy. Routledge. ISBN 9781134049455. "A lot of Hindu and Muslim peasants converted to Sikhism from conviction, fear, economic motives, or a combination of the three (Khushwant Singh 1999: 106; Ganda Singh 1935: 73)."
13. ^ https://theprint.in/feature/guru-arjan-dev-the-martyr-whose-death-changed-the-course-of-sikhism/401897/
14. ^ https://scroll.in/article/1045152/how-punjab-came-to-dominate-the-british-indian-army
15. ^ https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/how-british-idolised-the-loyal-sikh-soldier-and-inspired-conflict-in-indian-army/1559249/
16. ^ [1]
17. ^ https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-second-among-all-states-in-contributing-to-armys-rank-and-file-225565
18. ^ "Shahmukhi: The window to Punjabi culture". The Times of India.
19. ^ Sharma, Saurabh; Gupta, Vishal (May 2013). "Punjabi Documents Clustering System" (PDF). Journal of Emerging Technologies in Web Intelligence. 5 (2): 174. doi:10.4304/JETWI.5.2.171-187. S2CID 55699784. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
20. ^ Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography. Springer. 2019. p. 142\. ISBN 978-3030059774.
21. ^ "Guru Angad | Second Sikh Guru, Achievements, & Facts | Britannica".
22. ^ "Punjabi language | Britannica".
23. ^ Punjab Tourism https://punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in › ...PDF FESTIVALS IN PUNJAB 2021-22
24. ^ https://www.britannica.com/place/India/Sikh-separatism

## Further reading

[edit]

* Benson, Heather Lené. "In Place/Out of Place: Punjabi-Sikhs in Reno, Nevada" (PhD dissertation, University of Nevada, Reno, 2022) online.
* Bhachu, Parminder. "Culture, ethnicity and class among Punjabi Sikh women in 1990s Britain." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 17.3 (1991): 401-412.

* Banerjee, Himadri. "The Other Sikhs: Punjabi-Sikhs of Kolkata." Studies in History 28.2 (2012): 271-300.

* Grewal, Jagtar Singh. The Sikhs of the Punjab (Cambridge University Press, 1998).

* Usha, George, and Ferzana Chaze. "Punjabis/Sikhs in Canada." in Mobility and Multiple Affiliations (2016): 91-104.

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Sikhism

Glossary and History

Gurus|

* Guru Nanak
* Guru Angad
* Guru Amar Das
* Guru Ram Das
* Guru Arjan
* Guru Hargobind
* Guru Har Rai
* Guru Har Krishan
* Guru Tegh Bahadur
* Guru Gobind Singh
* Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book)

Philosophy|

* Beliefs and principles
* Guru Maneyo Granth
* Sikh Rehat Maryada
* The 52 Hukams
* Prohibitions
* Cannabis and Sikhism
* Diet in Sikhism

Practices|

* Khalsa
* Sikh practices
* Sikh rites
* Ardās
* Kirtan
* Langar
* Naam Karan
* Anand Karaj
* Amrit Sanchar
* Amrit Velā
* Antam Sanskar
* Three Pillars
* Kirat Karo
* Naam Japo
* Vand Chhako
* The Five Ks
* Simran
* Sewa
* Charhdi Kala
* Dasvand
* Jhatka

Scripture|

* Guru Granth Sahib
* Dasam Granth
* Sarbloh Granth
* Gurbani
* Mul Mantar
* Japji Sahib
* Chaupai
* Jaap Sahib
* Rehras
* Sukhmani Sahib
* Tav-Prasad Savaiye

Architecture|

* Gurdwara
* Harmandir Sahib
* Janam Asthan
* Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
* List
* Africa
* Asia
* Europe
* North America
* Bahadurgarh Fort
* Fateh Burj
* Hazuri Bagh Baradari
* Kesgarh Qila
* Khanda museum
* Moti Bagh Palace
* Nanak Shahi bricks
* Pul Kanjri
* Qila Mubarak, Patiala
* Ramgarhia Bunga
* Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
* Well of Dina Nath

By country|

* Diaspora
* Afghanistan
* Australia
* Austria
* Bangladesh
* Belgium
* Canada
* Vancouver
* China
* Denmark
* Fiji
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* India
* Jammu and Kashmir
* Kochi
* Punjab
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Italy
* Japan
* Malaysia
* Nepal
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Niue
* Norway
* Pakistan
* Panama
* Poland
* Singapore
* South Africa
* South Korea
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Thailand
* United Arab Emirates
* United Kingdom
* England
* Scotland
* Wales
* Northern Ireland
* United States
* U.S. Military

Groups, sects
and communities|

* Sects of Sikhism
* Khalsa
* Mina
* Namdhari
* Nanakpanthi
* Nihang
* Nirankari
* Sewapanthi
* Nirmala
* Ramraiya
* Udasi
* Mazhabi Sikh
* Piara Singh Bhaniara
* Agrahari Sikh
* Jatha
* Damdami Taksal
* Akhand Kirtani Jatha
* Singh Sabha
* Contemporary Sant Mat movements
* 3HO

Sikh Empire|

* v
* t
* e

Sikh Empire

Rulers|

* Ranjit Singh
* Kharak Singh
* Nau Nihal Singh
* Chand Kaur
* Sher Singh
* Jind Kaur
* Duleep Singh

Military
conflicts|

| Mughal-Sikh Wars|

* Battle of Bhangani
* Nadaun
* Basoli
* 1st Anandpur
* 2nd Anandpur
* Chamkaur
* Sarsa
* Muktsar
* Sonepat
* Samana
* Sirhind
* Sadhaura
* Chappar Chiri
* Rahon
* Lohgarh
* Jalalabad
* Jammu
* Gurdas Nangal
* Delhi

|

Afghan–Sikh wars|

* Battle of Attock
* Battle of Multan
* Battle of Shopian
* Battle of Nowshera
* Battle of Peshawar
* Battle of Jamrud

First Anglo-Sikh War|

* Battle of Mudki
* Battle of Ferozeshah
* Battle of Aliwal
* Battle of Sobraon

Second Anglo-Sikh War|

* Battle of Ramnagar
* Battle of Chillianwala
* Siege of Multan
* Battle of Gujrat

Others|

Nepal–Sikh War, Sino-Sikh war, Katoch–Sikh War, Hill States–Sikh Wars, Panchayati Revolution, List of battles involving the Sikh Empire

Military forces|

* Sikh Khalsa Army
* Fauj-i-Khas
* Fauj-i-Ain
* Kampu-i-mu'alla

Adversaries|

* Mughal Empire
* Durrani Empire
* Emirate of Afghanistan
* British East India Company
* Kingdom of Nepal
* Qing Empire
* Hill States Alliance
* Kingdom of Mankera
* Namgyal dynasty
* Barakzai dynasty
* Sudhans of Poonch
* Maqpon Dynasty

Forts|

* Jamrud Fort
* Multan Fort
* Harkishangarh
* Lahore Fort
* Zorawar Fort
* Bahu Fort
* Gobindgarh Fort
* Phillaur Fort
* Firozpur Fort

Officials and warriors|

| Natives|

* Dhian Singh
* Diwan Dina Nath
* Diwan Bhawani Das
* Diwan Buta Singh
* Pratap Singh
* Misr Diwan Chand
* Diwan Mulraj
* Hari Singh Nalwa
* Mahan Singh Mirpuri
* Dewan Mokham Chand
* Khushal Singh Jamadar
* Zorawar Singh
* Tej Singh
* Lal Singh
* Gulab Singh
* Balbhadra Kunwar
* Jawahar Singh
* Mehta Basti Ram
* Sham Singh Attariwalla
* Sher Singh Attariwalla
* Chattar Singh Attariwalla
* Desa Singh Majithia
* Amar Singh Majithia
* Lehna Singh Majithia
* Ranjodh Singh Majithia
* Surat Singh Majithia
* Mangal Singh Ramgarhia
* Akali Phula Singh
* Chandu Lal
* Ajit Singh Sandhawalia
* Kahan Singh Nakai
* Sangat Singh Saini
* Hukma Singh
* Veer Singh
* Jarnail Ghaus Khan
* Ilahi Bakhsh
* Fakir Azizuddin
* Sultan Mahmud Khan
* Malik Fateh Khan Tiwana
* Sohan Lal Suri
* Moti Ram
* Diwan Ram Dayal
* Diwan Kirpa Ram

|

Foreigners|

* Jean-François Allard
* Jean-Baptiste Ventura
* Claude Auguste Court
* François Henri Mouton
* Alexander Gardner
* Paolo Avitabile
* Josiah Harlan
* Johann Martin Honigberger
* Henry Lawrence

Influential families|

* Sandhawalia family
* Majithia family
* Tiwana family
* Mian family

Treaties|

* Treaty of Amritsar (1809)
* Tripartite Treaty (1838)
* Treaty of Chushul (1842)
* Treaty of Lahore (1846)
* Treaty of Amritsar (1846)

Miscellaneous|

* Khalsa Darbar records

Festivals|

* Bandi Chhor Divas
* Hola Mohalla
* Maghi
* Mela Maghi
* Vaisakhi

Culture|

* Art
* Music
* Films
* Literature
* Music
* Names

Other topics|

* History
* Ik Onkar
* Waheguru
* Khanda
* Panj Pyare
* Places
* Politics
* Sikhs in the British Indian Army
* 11th Sikh Regiment
* Sikh Regiment
* Sikh Light Infantry
* Nanakshahi calendar
* Ramananda
* Fariduddin Ganjshakar
* Kabir
* Sardar
* Dastar
* Dharamyudh
* Islam
* Jainism
* Hinduism
* Rama
* Sikhs
* Ravidassia
* Women in Sikhism
* Sikhism and sexual orientation
* In Fiction
* Idolatry in Sikhism
* Criticism
* Punjab
* History
* Punjabis
* Punjabi language (Gurmukhī)
* Sacred trees

Takht|

* Akal Takht
* Damdama Sahib
* Kesgarh Sahib
* Hazur Sahib
* Patna Sahib

Outline Category
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