Sikhs

Sikhs are the followers of Sikhism, a religion that began in 15th-century Punjab with the teachings of Guru Nanak.

• Core beliefs include faith in one God (often expressed as Ik Onkar), the equality of all people, compassion, honest living, and sharing with others.
• Sikh identity grew around a line of ten Gurus, whose teachings shaped not only religious life but also community values and discipline.
• The Sikhs’ holy scripture is the Guru Granth Sahib, which is treated with deep respect as the community’s spiritual guide (not just a book).
• Over time, Sikhism also developed a strong tradition of standing up against injustice. This is why Sikh history includes both spiritual leadership and, later, organised defence.
• A key turning point was the creation of the Khalsa (1699) by Guru Gobind Singh, which strengthened a shared Sikh identity and emphasised courage, equality, and responsibility.
• In the 1800s, Sikhs also became an important political and military power in North-West India under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, showing how a religious community could also shape regional history.

Today, Sikhs are known worldwide for their strong community institutions like the gurdwara and the tradition of seva (selfless service), which connects faith to everyday social life.