Acknowledgements My sincere thanks to: Professor Emeritus Dr. Darshan Singh and Prof Parkash Kaur (Chandigarh), S. Gurvinder Singh Shampura (member S.G.P.C.), Mrs Panninder Kaur Sandhu (nee Pammy Sidhu), Dr Gurnam Singh (p.U. Patiala), S. Bhag Singh Ankhi (Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar), Dr. Gurbachan Singh Bachan, Jathedar Principal Dalbir Singh Sattowal (Ghuman), S. Dilbir Singh and S. Awtar Singh (Sikh Forum, Kolkata), S. Ravinder Singh Khalsa Mohali, Jathedar Jasbinder Singh Dubai (Bhai Lalo Foundation), S. Hardarshan Singh Mejie (H.S.Mejie), S. Jaswant Singh Mann (Former President AISSF), S. Gurinderpal Singh Dhanaula (Miri-Piri Da! & Amritsar Akali Dal), S. Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib and Sarbjit Singh Ghuman (Dal Khalsa), S. Amllljit Singh Dhawan, Dr Kulwinder Singh Bajwa (p.U. Patiala), Khoji Kafir (Canada), Jathedar Amllljit Singh Chandi (Uttrancbal), Jathedar Kamaljit Singh Kundal (Sikh missionary), Jathedar Pritam Singh Matwani (Sikh missionary), Dr Amllljit Kaur Ibben Kalan, Ms Jagmohan Kaur Bassi Pathanan, Ms Gurdeep Kaur Deepi, Ms. Sarbjit Kaur. S. Surjeet Singh Chhadauri (Belgium), S Kulwinder Singh (Spain), S, Nachhatar Singh Bains (Norway), S Bhupinder Singh (Holland), S. Jageer Singh Hamdard (Birmingham), Mrs Balwinder Kaur Chahal (Sourball), S. Gurinder Singh Sacha, S.Arvinder Singh Khalsa and S. Inder Singh Jammu Mayor (ali from south-east London), S.Tejinder Singh Hounslow, S Ravinder Singh Kundra (BBC), S Jameet Singh, S Jawinder Singh, Satchit Singh, Jasbir Singh Ikkolaha and Mohinder Singh (all from Bristol), Pritam Singh 'Lala' Hounslow (all from England). Dr Awatar Singh Sekhon, S. Joginder Singh (Winnipeg, Canada), S. Balkaran Singh, S. Raghbir Singh Samagh, S. Manjit Singh Mangat, S. Gurdev Singh Sandhawalia, S. Suchet Singh, S Panninder Singh Pannar, S. Manjit Singh Sahota (all from Toronto, Canada). S. Gurpreet Singh Missisauga, S. Gurpreet Singh Cambridge, S. Iqbal Singh, S. Awtar Singh, S. Taranjit Singh, S. Resham Singh, S. HlIIjinder Singh, S. Satwinder Singh Rana, S. Dalwinder Singh, S. HlIIjinder Singh Montreal (all from www.gurupanth.com).S.SaudagarSinghSandhuandS.Baljinder Singh (both from Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar, Surrey), S. Parvkar Singh Surrey (all from Canada). S. Rajinder Singh and S Ravinder Singh (of Khalsa Panchayat), Giani Amrik Singh Solakhian (Mohali), S. Amllljit Singh Chandi (Jathedar Gurmat Taksal, Uttranchal), S. Dilbir Singh Calcutta, S. Pritam Singh Matwani (Jathedar Gurmat Taksal, Moga), S. Kamaljit Singh Kundal (Jathedar Gurmat Taksal, Mukatsar), Principal Dalbir Singh Sattowali, Ghuman (Jathedar Gurmat Taksal, Gurdaspur), Dr Kulwinder Singh Bajwa (Punjab Historical Studies Department, Punjabi University Patiala), plays & stories writer Khoji Kafir (Canada), Dr Amllljit Kaur Ibben Kalan, Ms Jagmohan Kaur Bassi Pathanan, Ms Gurdeep Kaur Deepi, Ms. Sarbjit Kaur, S. Gursagar Singh (Singh Brothers, Amritsar), S Gurinder Singh (Printwell press, Amritsar) and all others who have been helpful to me during the completion ofthis project. I shall never forget Panth Ratan Shaheed Jathedar Talwinder Singh Pannar (Canada), late S. Bhan Singh, late S. Jagdev Singh Khuddian, late S. HlIIjit Singh Sandhu Jalandhar, late S. Khazan Singh Kolkata (Ambassador of Sikhism), Panth Ratan late S. Mohinder Singh Josh, Fakhar-i-Qaum late S. Jagmohan Singh Giani (Ludhiana), late Giani Surinder Singh (Gurdwara Phase 6, Mohali) for their love and affection for me and for their contribution to the Sikh mission. Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer England. 22.10.2009 [email protected] CONTENTS WHO ARE THE SIKHS? BIRTH OF SIKHISM HISTORY OF THE SIKHS: Guru Nanak S{lhib. GUrtl Angad Sahib, Guru Amar Diis Sahib. GUrtl Ram Das Siihib. GUrtl Arjan Siihib, Guru Hargobind Sahib, GurU Har Riii Sahib.. GurU Harkrishan Sahib, GUrtl Tegh Bahiidur Sahib. Gunl Gobind Singh Sahib. Babii Banda Singh BaMdur (1709-1716); Persecution ofthe Sikhs (/716-1745); the Holocausts (/746.17620; Sikhs as nt/as (/765-1839); British occupation ofthe Punjab (1849); Singh Sabh{1 Movement (/873); British betrayal of the Sikhs (/947). The Khalistan movement. attack on Darb{lr Sahib (.Iune 1984) and massacre of Sikhs at Delhi and other places in India (Black November 1984), mass execution ofSikh youth (/992­ 95). Parkash Singh Badal as chiefminister ofthe Punjab. SIKH POPULAnON ROUND THE GLOBE SIKHS' ROLE ON INTERNATIONAL SCENE Role ofthe Sikh Diaspora in Europe. Far-East and the rest of the world. SIKHISM AS UNIVERSAL RELIGION Fatherhood ofGod and brotherhood ofMan Neela Kamakassa (The Blue Sash)- the Sikh 'Red Cross' Sarbat Do BhaM Peaceful CD-existence (neitherfear nor to frighten) Human Rights (right to belief) Egalitarianism Sikhism as 'manifesto ofthe world' UNIQUE IDENTITY OF A SIKH Meaning of the term Sikh. Physical appearance (turban. beard. moustache etc). Distinction ofSikh names. Theological distinction. Concept ofMlrl-Plrl. The Sikh Calendar. SIKH INITIATION AMRIT(concept ofAmrit) The Sikh initiation (Khande-Di-Pahul). Four strict commands (Bajar Kurahils) andsevel1prohibitions (Kurahits) for a Sikh DOs and DONTs for a Sikh 6 Five "articles offaith" (Kes/Keski, Kangha. Kara, Kachhehra. Kirpan). The so-called Sahijdharl Sikhs. SIKH SCRIPTURE GurU Granth Sclhib NITNEM and other Banis: Japji Sahib. A-sa DI Var. Anand Sahib. Barah Mah, Sohila. Sukhmanl Sahib, Artz. Rag Mella. The Dasam Granth. Reading of hymns: Patth. Patthl. Akhand Pattll. Sampat Patth. Sahij Patth Simran/Meditation: Nelm. Nam Japna. Simran. GURU: GurU, Shabad GUrli (Word). Sants, Gurus in person. GURDWARA What is a Gurdwara? Nishan Sahib, service at Gurdwara. how to attend Gurdwara, protocolfor the visitors. PRIEST in Sikhism THEOLOGY God, Karta Purakh. Aka' Purakh. WaheGurii. Nirgun. Sargun. theory of creation. heaven and hell, rebirth (transmigration) & Chaurasl Lakh Joan .. Jivan Mukti (liberation). Haumai (ego). Bakhshish (blessi~g). Hukam (God's order). Karam (Grace), Karma (human actions). Alma. Maya. SIKH INSTITUTIONS GurU Panth. Sangat/Gur Sangat. Akal Takht Sahib. Sarbat Khalsa. Gurmata. Hukamnama. Sewa, Langar, Sangat & Pangat. The SIKH WAY OF LIFE Daily routine ofa Sikh. Honest earning (Kirat Kama). sharing with others. (Vand Chhakna). Remembering God (Nam Japna), defending human rights. pray for the whole ofthe world. bow before His Will. the Sikh p.<yche ofhigh spirit (Charhdl Kala). FESTIVALS Gurpurabs. Rakhrl. Lohri. DTwall. HolT. Sangriind. Pooranmasi, Massiya. SIKH CEREMONIES/RITUALS & LATEST ISSUES Birth of a child, naming of a child; dating. love. marriage (and marriage rites). divorce. abortion. family planning; death (and death rites), euthanasia. suicide. RITUALISM & SIKHS Idol worship. non-Sikh rituals, photos ofGurlt Sahib. ARTICLES OF FAITH Hair, beard and moustache. Dastar ( Turban). Kirpan (Sword) 7 ETHICS Five chief vices and other sins: Having no faith in God. lethargy/sluggishness, hurting feelings of others, encroachment of others' rights. ungratefulness, exploitation and monster mentality. Concept ofsin. Kurahits. Tankhiih. Virtues: humbleness, contentment. tolerance. NATIONAL PRAYER (ARDAS) & GREETINGS Some references in the Ardas. Way ofgreeting. National anthem. Some terms which are oj}tmsive to the Sikhs LITERATURE Some important books on Sikhism. SIKH ORGNAISATIONS Shiroman! Akali Dal. Shiroman! Gurdwara Parhandhak Committee (SGPC) The SIKH ROLLS Some Sikh Personalities: Bha! Mardana, Baba Buddha. Bha! Gurdas, Bha! DIal Das, Bha! Mat! Das. Bha! Nand Lal. Bha! Man! Singh. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Nawab Kapur Singh. Bota Singh-Gada Singh. Haqiqat Rai/Singh, Sukkha Singh-Mahitab Singh. Baba D!p Singh. Jassa Singh Ahluwallii. Jassa Singh Ramgarhla. Babq Baghel Singh. Famous Sikh writers: theology, history. poetry. fiction. Anti-Sikh writers and propagandists. Entries about Sikhs in some reference books/encyclopaedias. Famous Sikh martyrs Famous Sikh leaders Sikhs sportsmen /women Famous Sikh women. Sympathizers ofthe Sikh nation. Killers ofthe Sikhs Traitors ofthe Sikh nation THE SIKH HOMELAND Anandpur Sahib. Amritsar, Chamkaur Sahib. Delhi. Fatehgarh Sahib, Goindwal, Hazur Sahib, Kartiirpur (Jalandhar), Kartarpur (Pakistan) and Dera Saba Niinak, Keeratpur Sahib, Khadiir Sahib, Muktsar, Nanaktina Sahib. Paonta Sahib. Patna Sahib, Sultanpur, Ta/wand! Sabo. Tarn Taran. CHRONOLOGY Some important dates ofSikh history 8 WHO ARE THE SIKHS? A Sikh can easily be identified from amongst the crowds of hundreds and thousands. A man with beard and turban can well be easily recognized. Most of the Sikhs, wearing traditional dress, give impression of a monarch. Throughout the world one can observe Sikh men, women and children, dressed in tine clothes and colourful turbans (females with turbans as well as dupattiis), going to Gurdwiiriis. A congregation in a Gurdwara makes one think of ap august assembly of pious people. The sacred kitchen of a Gurdwara looks like the seene of a family feast wherc everyone seems to be trying to surpass each other in doing voluntary and selfless service. One observing people contributing a share of their honestly earned money for Langer (scared community kitchen) and trying to surpass others in performing service in Gurdwara kitchen, cleaning dishes, sweeping floors, washing toilets, serving guests, cleaning silt from sarovars (tanks); and all this being done by them devotiondlly and whole-heartedly; asks, "Who are these turbaned and bearded selfless people?" In June 1984 the world saw a handful of people fighting against hundreds of thousands of heavily armed soldiers of the Indian army, which attacked Darbiir