SIKHISM

The advent of the Sikh faith in Kashmir begins with the visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1460-1530 A.D) to the valley, in the early sixteenth century. It is said that he entered the valley from Sinkiang viz.Ladakh. He traveled widely in the valley and was accompanied by his two devoted disciples, Shian—a calico painter and Hassna—a black smith. During his travels in the valley, he came into contact with one Brahma Dass of Bijbehara, Anantnag District,a man well-known for his scholarship. He visited Anantnag and Mattan where he met some Muslim saints. He also visited Baramulla, Bandipur, Beeru and other places of Kashmir and then returned to Punjab crossing Pirpanjal. In Srinagar, he met a large number of Hindu Scholars well versed in Shiva Philosophy and visited Shnlracharya also. Gurdawaras at Mattan and Bijbehara commemorate his visit. After his return to Punjab, Pandit Brahma Dass and his descendants continued to look after the Sikh Sanghat. The main teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji are belief in one God, equality of Man and love and brotherhood among all sections of the community. Guru Nank Dev Ji was against idol worship. He was also greatly inspired by Islam. His close associates and companions were Muslim scholars among them Baghat Kabir being most prominent one. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was against caste system and other practices which had no social and moral basis and had degenerated the Hindu Society. Therefore, he laid the basis of new order which came to be known as Sikhism.

The elder son of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Baba Sri Chand visited Kashmir with Bai Kamila to learn Sanskrit and Preach the message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. His second visit took place in 1633-64 A.D., during the reign of Jehangir. Guru Arjun Dev Ji deputed Mado Sohi to look after Sikh mission in the valley.

The second Guru who visited Kashmir was Guru Hargobind Singh Ji. He came to Kashmir via Rajouri with emperor Jehangir. He personally revived contacts with the Sikh sanghats and converted many Brahman and Khatries who had come earlier and settled in Kashmir as traders. He also traveled to different parts of the valley. Jheeran Mula,Katu Shah and Jhanda were his prominent disciples in Kashmir. Gurdawaras at Kathi Darwaza in Srinagar near Hariparbat Fort, Baramulla and Uri commemorate his visit. Mai Baghbari who lived at the foot of Hariparbat at a place where now Gurdwara known as Chati Padshahi is situated, waited for the Guru’s Dharshan for many years. The Guru went to her house and accepted the garment which she had spun, woven and Sewn with her own hands. He returned to Punjab with emperor Jahangir via Baramulla and appointed Bhai Charia to carry on his mission in the valley. Guru Teg Bahadur’s name is also associated with Kashmir.

After the death of Guru Teg Bahadur, Guru Gobind took over the leadership of Sikhs. He founded the order of Khalsa. A large number of people from Kashmir attended that gathering. The Guru sent some persons from Kashmir attented that gathering. The Guru sent some persons such as Pheru Singh,Punjab Singh etc. to spread the mission of Khalsa in Kashmir. Pheru sing set up his headquarters at Poonch and regulary visited the valley.

After the death of Guru, contact with Sikh sanghat in Kashmir was maintained through missionaries and preachers. It was from these people that conversion to the Sikh faith took place in Kashmir. But it does not seem to be a fact that conversion was made from amongst local population. Had that been so there would have been some such families in Kashmir with Kashmiri as their mother tongue. There is not a single cases of this kind, even though most of the Sikhs do speak Kashmiri with ease and fluency.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Kashmir in 1819 A.D., and his rule came to an end in 1846 A.D. During this period , Kashmir was administered by ten Governors. A large number of Sikh families came form Punjab and settled here. Vigne records that the Sikhs came to Kashmir in the service of Raja Sukh Jewan Mal who was sent to Kashmir as Governor in 1775 A.D., by Timeer Shah of Kabul.

After the end of Sikh rule in Kashmir in 1846 A.D., it seems that many of the Sikh families who settled in Srinagar dispersed to the rural areas. For decade they did not at all, figure in the political affairs of valley. They continued to remain mainly as tillers of land and in some cases they took up government services. In the early thirties of present century the political events awakned them in the valley. Sardar Budh Singh, a Wazir-i-Wazarat conducted the conference at Srinagar. He latter on resigned from the job and began to work for the upliftment of Sikhs. In early forties a number of Sikh organiosations like central Sikh Youngmen’s Association, Khalsa Durbar, etc. came into being in the valley who demanded the enactment of Gurdawara Act on the Punjab lines.

There has been no forceful Sikh religious mission in the valley. But propogation of religion and congregation of the Sikhs have been taking place under the guidance of local Granthies,Preachers and Mahants. The most Prominent scholarof Sikh faith was Akali Kanwar Singh of Muzaffarabad.

Population of the Silkhs in Kashmir is mainly concentrated in and around Baramulla town, Rafiabad, Beeru, Budgam, Srinagar city, Tral and around Anantnag. According to the census of 1981, their number is 31,167 in the valley. The main profession of the Sikhs continues to be agriculture but since independence, large number of them have taken to transport, trade and other occupations. The main sub-castes of Sikhs are Mehta, Rainas, Risam, Sondiwals etc.

The main religious festival of the Sikhs is the Baisakhi. They celebrate this day with zeal and fervour. Big congregations are heldin Srinagar, Baramulla,Beeru, Tral and Anantnag. The birth day Guru Hargobind Ji is also celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Gurdwara Chati Padshahi, Srinagar, and at some other places in the valley. The martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev Ji is also celebrated with reverence in the main towns. Guru Nanak’s birth day is one of the most important days when the Sikhs gather in large number in the important towns where prayers are offered, lectures delevired and religious discources held. They also celebrate the birthday of Guru Gobind Ji at important centres.

There are no social taboos among the Sikhs. They freely mix with members of other religions and share their joys and sorrows. The Sikhs donot practice traditional caste restrictions. The percentage of literary among the Sikhs is fairly high. Their habits are simple. Drinking has practically been unknown among them, but sections of middle has have taken it. Almost cent percent of the Sikhs are non-vegetarians. Rice is their main food.

Their marriages are simple as compared to the Sikhs of the Punjab. Before partition, the dowery included only couple of utensils, and a pair or two of clothes but now the system has gradually changed. Even a good number of them have started giving presents and gifts in setting betrothal in the form of shagun. Ceremonies after death of a child, a younger or an old man differ. Tenth or eleventh day after death is observed as the last day of mourning of recitation from the Granth Sahib and offering of meals to participants.