Punjabi Sikhs: Difference between revisions

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{{merge to|Punjabis|discuss=Talk:Punjabis#Merge Punjabi Sikhs to this page}}
{{Short description|Ethnic group of the Indian subcontinent}}
{{Short description|Ethnic Punjabis who are adherents of Sikhism}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use Indian English}}
{{about|the ethnically Punjabi Sikhs|Sikhs in general|Sikhs}}
 
{{infobox ethnic group
{{infobox ethnic group
| group            = Punjabi Sikhs
| group            = Punjabi Sikhs
| native_name      =  
| native_name      = ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿੱਖ {{·}} {{Uninastaliq|پنجابی سکھ}}<br />{{lang|pa|Panjābī Sikh}}
| native_name_lang = pa
| native_name_lang = pa
| image            = A painting of a Sikh family, circa late 19th century.jpg
| image            = A painting of a Sikh family, circa late 19th century.jpg
| image_caption    = A painting of a Sikh family, circa late 19th century
| image_caption    = A painting of a Punjabi Sikh family, circa late 19th century
| population      = {{circa|24,000,000-29,000,000 approx.}} <br/> (Worldwide)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/05/us/religion-what-is-a-sikh/index.html | title=Who are Sikhs and what do they believe? | date=5 August 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thewire.in/religion/indianapolis-shootout-the-us-has-long-lacked-understanding-on-who-sikh-people-are | title=Indianapolis Shootout: The US Has Long Lacked Understanding on Who Sikh People Are }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/behind-the-decline/article7654960.ece|title=Behind the decline|website=frontline.thehindu.com}}</ref>
| population      = {{circa|25-28 million approx.}} <br/> (Worldwide)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/05/us/religion-what-is-a-sikh/index.html | title=Who are Sikhs and what do they believe? | date=5 August 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thewire.in/religion/indianapolis-shootout-the-us-has-long-lacked-understanding-on-who-sikh-people-are | title=Indianapolis Shootout: The US Has Long Lacked Understanding on Who Sikh People Are }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/behind-the-decline/article7654960.ece|title=Behind the decline|date=16 September 2015|website=frontline.thehindu.com}}</ref>
| region1          = [[Punjab, India]]
| region1          = [[Punjab, India]]
| pop1            = 16,004,754 ([[2011 Census of India|2011 census]])<ref name="2011IndianCensus">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=Census of India, 2011 |publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>{{efn|name=SikhPop|Figure is total Sikh population on census.}}
| pop1            = 16,004,754 ([[2011 Census of India|2011 census]])<ref name="2011IndianCensus">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=Census of India, 2011 |publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>{{efn|name=SikhPop|Figure is total Sikh population on census.}}
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'''Other languages'''<br/>[[Hindi]], [[English language|English]]
'''Other languages'''<br/>[[Hindi]], [[English language|English]]
| rels            = [[Sikhism]]
| rels            = [[Sikhism]]
| related          = [[Punjabi Hindus]], [[Punjabi Muslims]], [[Punjabi Christians]]
| related          = {{flatlist|
* [[Punjabi Hindus]]
* [[Punjabi Muslims]]
* [[Punjabi Christians]]}}
}}
}}
{{Sikhism sidebar}}{{Punjabis}}
{{Sikhism sidebar}}{{Punjabis}}


'''Punjabi Sikhs''' are adherents of [[Sikhism]] who identify [[Ethnolinguistic groups|ethnolinguistically]], [[culturally]], and [[Genealogy|genealogically]] as [[Punjabis]]. Sikhs are the third-largest religious group of the Punjabi ethnic community, after the [[Punjabi Muslims|Muslims]] and [[Punjabi Hindus|Hindus]]. While, they form the largest religious community in the [[Indian states|Indian state]] of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. [[Sikhism]] is an [[Indigenous religion|Indigenous]] religion born and brought up in [[Punjab region]] of [[South Asia]] during 15th century. Almost 97% of world's [[Sikh]] population are [[Punjabis]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism | title=Sikhism &#124; History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature &#124; Britannica }}</ref>
'''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 [[Punjab, Pakistan|Pakistani Punjab]]. Punjabi Sikhs form the largest religious community in the [[Indian states|Indian state]] of [[Punjab, India|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]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism | title=Sikhism &#124; History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature &#124; Britannica }}</ref>


While Punjabi Sikhs are mostly found in the Indian state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] today, where they formed around [[Demographics of Punjab, India|60 percent]] of the state population and is the only Sikh-majority [[administrative division]] on Earth,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/census-2011-age-of-sikhs-drops-in-punjab-migration-to-blame/articleshow/48689317.cms | title=Census 2011: %age of Sikhs drops in Punjab; migration to blame? | newspaper=The Times of India | date=27 August 2015 }}</ref> many have ancestry from the [[Punjab region|greater Punjab region]], an area that was [[Partition of India|partitioned]] between [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] in 1947. In the contemporary era, apart from [[Punjab, India|Indian Punjab]], Punjabi Sikhs are found in large numbers across the Indian states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Large numbers are also found in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[United Kingdom|Britain]], as various immigration waves over the centuries better prospects and career.<ref>George, Usha, and Ferzana Chaze. "Punjabis/Sikhs in Canada." ''Mobility and Multiple Affiliations'' (2016): 91-104. </ref>
Punjabi Sikhs primarily inhabit the Indian state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], the only Sikh-majority [[administrative division]] on Earth. Punjabi Sikhs make up 57.69% of the state’s population.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/census-2011-age-of-sikhs-drops-in-punjab-migration-to-blame/articleshow/48689317.cms | title=Census 2011: %age of Sikhs drops in Punjab; migration to blame? | newspaper=The Times of India | date=27 August 2015 }}</ref> Many have ancestry from the [[Punjab region|greater Punjab region]], an area that was [[Partition of India|partitioned]] between [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] in 1947. In the contemporary era, apart from [[Punjab, India|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 [[United Kingdom|Britain]], due to various immigration waves over the centuries.<ref>George, Usha, and Ferzana Chaze. "Punjabis/Sikhs in Canada." ''Mobility and Multiple Affiliations'' (2016): 91-104. </ref>


==History==
==History==
{{See also|History of Sikhism}}
{{See also|History of Sikhism}}


The origins of the Sikhs, a religious group initially formed as a sect within the larger [[Punjabi Hindu]] community in Undivided Punjab region during 15th century.{{Cn|reason=Citation needed for the claim that Sikhism started out as a sect of Hinduism}} The Sikh religion founder, Shri [[Guru Nanak Dev]] ji (1469–1539), was roughly a contemporary of the founder of [[Mughal Empire]] [[Babur]] in [[Indian Subcontinent|India]]. Guru Nanak dev ji was born in a Punjabi Hindu [[Khatri]] family, which was initially a community of scribes and traders.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/place/India/The-Sikhs-in-the-Punjab | title=India - the Sikhs in the Punjab &#124; Britannica }}</ref> In Un-divided [[Punjab region]], the eldest son of every [[Punjabi Hindu]] families was nominated and was represented as [[Sikh|Sardars]] and had protected their family and [[Indian religions|Indic communities]] from the tyrannies of Mughal rulers and their torture.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://scroll.in/article/880186/from-guru-hargobind-to-guru-gobind-singh-how-the-sikh-community-militarised-to-take-on-the-mughals | title=From Guru Hargobind to Guru Gobind Singh: How the Sikh community militarised to take on the Mughals }}</ref><ref>[https://www.esamskriti.com/e/History/Indian-History/Why-was-the-first-son-made-a-Sikh-1.aspx Why was the first son made a Sikh]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism | title=Sikhism &#124; History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature &#124; Britannica }}</ref> A huge number of peasants from [[Punjabi Hindu|Hindu]] and [[Punjabi Muslim|Muslim]] in Punjab have converted to Sikhism for various motives (mainly economic in nature) since the starting of new faith.<ref name="Singh2008">
The Sikh religion founder, [[Guru Nanak Dev|Guru Nanak]] (1469–1539), was roughly a contemporary of the founder of [[Mughal Empire]] [[Babur]] in [[Indian Subcontinent|India]]. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in a Punjabi Hindu [[Khatri]] family, which was initially a community of scribes and traders.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/place/India/The-Sikhs-in-the-Punjab | title=India - the Sikhs in the Punjab &#124; Britannica }}</ref> In un-divided [[Punjab region]], the eldest son of every [[Punjabi Hindu]] families was nominated and was represented as [[Sikh|Sardars]] and had protected their family and [[Indian religions|Indic communities]] from the tyrannies of Mughal rulers and their torture.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://scroll.in/article/880186/from-guru-hargobind-to-guru-gobind-singh-how-the-sikh-community-militarised-to-take-on-the-mughals | title=From Guru Hargobind to Guru Gobind Singh: How the Sikh community militarised to take on the Mughals }}</ref><ref>[https://www.esamskriti.com/e/History/Indian-History/Why-was-the-first-son-made-a-Sikh-1.aspx Why was the first son made a Sikh]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism | title=Sikhism &#124; History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature &#124; Britannica }}</ref> A large number of peasants from [[Punjabi Hindu|Hindu]] and [[Punjabi Muslim|Muslim]] backgrounds in Punjab have converted to Sikhism for various motives (such as conviction, fear, or economic) since the starting of new faith.<ref name="Singh2008">
{{cite book
{{cite book
  |last1= Singh |first1= Pritam
  |last1= Singh |first1= Pritam
  |title= Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy
  |title= Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy
  |publisher= Routledge |isbn= 9781134049455
  |date= 2008 |publisher= Routledge |isbn= 9781134049455
  |language= en
  |language= en
  |quote= 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).
  |quote= 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).
Line 57: Line 59:
</ref>
</ref>


==Martial race==
==Militarism==
===Origin as a Martial race===
 
[[File:Soldier Sikh LI INF of the Indian Army practices aim during MALABAR 2006.jpg|thumb|Indian Punjabi Sikh armies during their military training]]
[[File:Soldier Sikh LI INF of the Indian Army practices aim during MALABAR 2006.jpg|thumb|Indian Punjabi Sikh armies during their military training]]


Unofficially the militarization of Punjabi Sikhs have just started after The Martyrdom of [[Guru Arjan Dev]] (5th Guru in [[Sikhism]]). He was looked at as a sacrifice for the truth, and it became un-Sikh like to stand oppression. The guru’s death became a watershed moment as from then onwards there began the militarisation of Sikhs in Punjab to take up arms against Mughal tyrannies. This conflict that started between the Mughals and Sikhs with the execution of Arjan Dev continued till the last guru, [[Gobind Singh]] who finally established the official Militarised order, the [[Khalsa Fauj|Khalsa]], in 1699.<ref>https://theprint.in/feature/guru-arjan-dev-the-martyr-whose-death-changed-the-course-of-sikhism/401897/</ref> Punjabi Sikhs have been regarded as one of the toughest and fiercest [[Martial race]] warriors by [[British India|British]] when they were ruling Indian Subcontinent between (1858–1947) AD respectively. Initially, Punjabi Sikh soldiers constituted a major chunk of the British Indian Army as they were most trusted by British officers due to their hard work, dedication, loyalty and valuable service.<ref>https://scroll.in/article/1045152/how-punjab-came-to-dominate-the-british-indian-army</ref><ref>https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/how-british-idolised-the-loyal-sikh-soldier-and-inspired-conflict-in-indian-army/1559249/</ref> People of Punjab have played a big role in the India's freedom struggle. About 120 people from Punjab were hanged and many more were imprisoned during the Independence movement.<ref>https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ludhiana/punjabis-were-at-forefront-of-freedom-struggle-bhagaten/</ref><ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/punjabis-played-a-key-role-in-independence-struggle-dhindsa/story-cxLaraDNRWiYOLADcpLv5K.html</ref> Infact, despite being 2% of India's population, Punjabi Sikhs constitute around 20% of the Indian Armed Force. [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] is the 2nd Largest Army contributor after [[Uttar Pradesh]] respectively.<ref>https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/gallant-and-patriotic-how-sikhs-shaped-armed-forces/articleshow/99028321.cms</ref><ref>https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-second-among-all-states-in-contributing-to-armys-rank-and-file-225565</ref>
The militarization of Punjabi Sikhs began after the execution of [[Guru Arjan Dev]] (5th Guru in [[Sikhism]]). Following his execution, [[Early Mughal-Sikh Wars|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 Fauj|Khalsa]], in 1699.<ref>https://theprint.in/feature/guru-arjan-dev-the-martyr-whose-death-changed-the-course-of-sikhism/401897/</ref> Punjabi Sikhs were regarded as one of the toughest and fiercest warriors by the [[British Empire|British]] [[British Raj|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.<ref>https://scroll.in/article/1045152/how-punjab-came-to-dominate-the-british-indian-army</ref><ref>https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/how-british-idolised-the-loyal-sikh-soldier-and-inspired-conflict-in-indian-army/1559249/</ref> Despite being only around 2% of India's population, Punjabi Sikhs constitute around 20% of the [[Indian Armed Forces]], with the [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] province being the 2nd largest contributor for manpower after [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/gallant-and-patriotic-how-sikhs-shaped-armed-forces/articleshow/99028321.cms]</ref><ref>https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-second-among-all-states-in-contributing-to-armys-rank-and-file-225565</ref>


== Language ==
== Language ==
Punjabi Sikhs speaks the [[Punjabi language]] as their [[mother tongue]]. Various [[Punjabi dialects and languages|dialects of Punjabi language]] such as [[Bagri language|Bagri]], [[Bilaspuri]], [[Bhateali]], [[Majhi dialect|Majhi]], [[Doabi dialect|Doabi]], [[Malwai dialect|Malwai]], and [[Puadhi dialect|Puadhi]] etc are spoken by Punjabi Sikhs across India and abroad as their mother tongue. In Indian Punjab, Punjabi is written in [[Gurmukhi script]], While in Pakistan's Punjab, [[Shahmukhi script]] is used respectively.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/generals-jottings/shahmukhi-the-window-to-punjabi-culture/ | title=Shahmukhi: The window to Punjabi culture | newspaper=The Times of India }}</ref> Gurmukhi is written from left to right, while Shahmukhi is written from right to left.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last1=Sharma|first1=Saurabh|last2=Gupta|first2=Vishal|title=Punjabi Documents Clustering System|url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6677/85950119ad00c97dd28ab0799976fee89a5b.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421200231/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6677/85950119ad00c97dd28ab0799976fee89a5b.pdf|archive-date=21 April 2020|access-date=21 April 2020|journal=Journal of Emerging Technologies in Web Intelligence|volume=5|issue=2|page=174|doi=10.4304/JETWI.5.2.171-187|s2cid=55699784}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography|publisher=Springer|year=2019|isbn=978-3030059774|pages=142}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> The use of Gurmukhi script generally started and developed during the time of 2nd Sikh guru, [[Guru Angad Dev]] (1504–1552) who have standardized it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Guru-Angad | title=Guru Angad &#124; Second Sikh Guru, Achievements, & Facts &#124; Britannica }}</ref> It is commonly regarded as Sikh Script. While Shahmukhi script have been used by [[Punjabi Muslims]] since from the time of 12th century, when [[Sufi literature|Punjabi Sufi Poets]] have used it to write Punjabi. Shahmukhi is a [[Persian alphabet|Perso-Arabic alphabet script]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Punjabi-language | title=Punjabi language &#124; Britannica }}</ref>
Punjabi Sikhs speak the [[Punjabi language]] as their [[mother tongue]]. Various [[Punjabi dialects and languages|dialects of the Punjabi language]] such as [[Bagri language|Bagri]], [[Bilaspuri]], [[Bhateali]], [[Majhi dialect|Majhi]], [[Doabi dialect|Doabi]], [[Malwai dialect|Malwai]], and [[Puadhi dialect|Puadhi]] 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.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/generals-jottings/shahmukhi-the-window-to-punjabi-culture/ | title=Shahmukhi: The window to Punjabi culture | newspaper=The Times of India }}</ref> Gurmukhi is written from left to right, while Shahmukhi is written from right to left.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last1=Sharma|first1=Saurabh|last2=Gupta|first2=Vishal|date=May 2013|title=Punjabi Documents Clustering System|url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6677/85950119ad00c97dd28ab0799976fee89a5b.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421200231/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6677/85950119ad00c97dd28ab0799976fee89a5b.pdf|archive-date=21 April 2020|access-date=21 April 2020|journal=Journal of Emerging Technologies in Web Intelligence|volume=5|issue=2|page=174|doi=10.4304/JETWI.5.2.171-187|s2cid=55699784}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography|publisher=Springer|year=2019|isbn=978-3030059774|pages=142}}</ref> The use of Gurmukhi script generally started and developed during the time of second Sikh guru, [[Guru Angad Dev]] (1504–1552) who standardized it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Guru-Angad | title=Guru Angad &#124; Second Sikh Guru, Achievements, & Facts &#124; Britannica }}</ref> 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 [[Sufi literature|Punjabi Sufi poets]]. Shahmukhi is a [[Persian alphabet|Perso-Arabic alphabet script]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Punjabi-language | title=Punjabi language &#124; Britannica }}</ref>


== Culture ==
== Culture ==
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https://punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in › ...PDF
https://punjabtourism.punjab.gov.in › ...PDF
FESTIVALS IN PUNJAB 2021-22</ref> Other festivals observed by Punjabi Sikhs includes the festivals of [[Sikhism]] like- [[Gurupurab]], [[Bandi Chhor Divas]], etc.
FESTIVALS IN PUNJAB 2021-22</ref> Other festivals observed by Punjabi Sikhs includes the festivals of [[Sikhism]] like- [[Gurupurab]], [[Bandi Chhor Divas]], etc.
== Separatism ==
{{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 [[Punjab, India|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.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/place/India/Sikh-separatism</ref>


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


[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Sikhs]]
[[Category:Indian Sikhs|*]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Punjabi people| ]]
[[Category:Punjabi tribes]]
[[Category:Punjabi tribes]]
[[Category:Sikh culture]]
[[Category:Sikh culture]]
[[Category:Sikhism]]

Latest revision as of 22:56, 27 February 2026


This article is about the ethnically Punjabi Sikhs. For Sikhs in general, see Sikhs.
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, India16,004,754 (2011 census)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Haryana1,243,752 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Rajasthan872,930 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Uttar Pradesh643,500 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Delhi570,581 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Uttarakhand236,340 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Maharashtra223,247 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Madhya Pradesh151,412 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Chandigarh138,329 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Himachal Pradesh79,896 (2011)[4][lower-alpha 1]
Languages
Sacred language
Sant Bhasha

Ethnic language
Punjabi and its dialects
Code language
Khalsa bole

Other languages
Hindi, English
Religion
Sikhism
Related ethnic groups
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Khanda
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Select revered saints
Philosophy
Practices
Scripture
Places and Takhts
General topics and terminology
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Punjabis
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North America

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Culture
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Eastern dialects

Western dialects


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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 | edit source]

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 large 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 | edit source]

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 | edit source]

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 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 | edit source]

See also: Punjabi culture

Festivals[edit | edit source]

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 | edit source]

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 | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Figure is total Sikh population on census.

References[edit | edit source]

  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. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 "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 | edit source]

  • 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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