Sikh
29405
224238078
2008-07-07T23:01:36Z
Superm401
35752
no one is likely to confuse this
{{pp-semi-protected|small=yes}}
{{otheruses4|adherents of Sikhism|town in Kedah, Malaysia|Sik, Kedah}}
{{Infobox Ethnic group
|group=Sikhs <br/> ਸਿੱਖ
|flag = [[Image:Punjab flag.svg|100px]]
|flag_caption = The [[Nishan Sahib]], flag of the [[Sikhs]]
|population = 25,000,000 (25 million)<ref>{{cite web
| title = Has India put the U.S. - India ‘Nukes - for mangoes’
| publisher = Panthic Weekly
| url = http://www.panthic.org/news/129/ARTICLE/3632/2007-10-24.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}</ref>
|regions = {{flag|India}}{{nbsp|6}}19,215,730<ref>{{cite web
| title = Census of India
| url = http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Summary%20Sikhs.pdf
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
<center><small><small>Other significant population centers:</small></small></center>
|region1={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|pop1 = 336,179
|ref1 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2001 UK Census Sikh Population
| url = http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=954&Pos=7&ColRank=2&Rank=160
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region2={{flag|Canada}}
|pop2 = 278,400
|ref2 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2001 Canadaian Census - Sikh Population
| url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/Products/Analytic/companion/rel/pdf/96F0030XIE2001015.pdf
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region3={{flag|United States}}
|pop3 = 100,000
|ref3 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2007 Sikh Population of USA
| url = http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566784_2/Sikhism.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region4={{flagicon image|Flag of EAC.svg}} [[East African Community]]
|pop4 = 100,000
|ref4 = {{lower|{{Fact|date=January 2008}}}}
|region5={{flag|Malaysia}}
|pop5 = 100,000
|ref5 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Overseas Indian: Connecting India with its Diaspora
| url = http://www.overseasindian.in/2007/jan/news/25n3.shtml
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region6=[[Middle East]]
|pop6 = 85,000
|region7={{flag|Italy}}
|pop7 = 70,000
|ref7 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2004 Sikh Population of Italy
| url = http://www.nriinternet.com/EUROPE/ITALY/2004/111604Gurdwara.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}
</ref>}}
|region8={{flag|Thailand}}
|pop8 = 70,000
|ref8 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2006 Sikh Population of Thailand
| url = http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71359.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region9={{flag|Australia}}
|pop9 = 50,000
|ref9 =
|region10={{flag|Hong Kong}}
|pop10 = 7,500
|ref10 =
|region11={{flag|Bangladesh}}
|pop11 = 23,300
|ref11 = {{lower|{{Fact|date=January 2008}}}}
|region12={{flag|Pakistan}}
|pop12 = 20,000
|ref12 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sub-continent Sikh Population breakdown
| url = http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71443.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region13={{flag|Kuwait}}
|pop13 = 20,000
|ref13 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of Kuwait
| url = http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71425.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region14={{flag|Netherlands}}
|pop14 = 12,000
|ref14 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of The Netherlands
| url = http://www.sikhs.nl/
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region15={{flag|Indonesia}}
|pop15 = 10,000
|ref15 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of Indonesia
| url = http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71341.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>‡}}
|region16={{flag|France}}
|pop16 = 10,000
|ref16 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| last = Moliner
| first = Christine
| title = Estimate of French Sikh population'Workshop on Indian Migration' at Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Urbaine/CNRS
| work = Ph.d
| url = http://www.ivry.cnrs.fr/lau/IMG/rtf/Abstracts.rtf
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region17={{flag|Singapore}}
|pop17 = 9,733
|ref17 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of Singapore
| url = http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dybcensus/V2_table6.pdf
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region18={{flag|New Zealand}}
|pop18 = 9,507
|ref18 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = New Zealand Sikh Population via NZ 2006 census
| url = http://www.sikhs.wellington.net.nz/
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region19={{flag|Belgium}}
|pop19 = 5,000–6,000
|ref19 =
|region20={{flag|Nepal}}
|pop20 = 5,890
|ref20 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of Nepal
| url = http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dybcensus/V2_table6.pdf
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region21={{flag|Germany}}
|pop21 = 5,000
|ref21 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of Germany for statistical sampling
| url = http://www.remid.de/remid_info_zahlen.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region22={{flag|Greece}}
|pop22 = 5,000
|ref22 =
|region23={{flag|Fiji}}
|pop23 = 4,674
|ref23 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = UN figures for Fiji 1986
| url = http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dybcensus/V2_table6.pdf
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region24={{flag|Austria}}
|pop24 = 2,794
|ref24 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of Austria
| url = http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dybcensus/V2_table6.pdf
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region25={{flag|Afghanistan}}
|pop25 = 2,000
|ref25 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of Afghanistan from Al-Jazeera Report
| url = http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?ArchiveId=23645
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|region26={{flag|Japan}}
|pop26 = 2,000
|ref26 =
|region27={{flag|Ireland}}
|pop27 = 1,200
|ref27 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Population of Ireland from The Times
| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2351224.ece
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>}}
|rels=[[Sikhism]]
|scrips=[[Guru Granth Sahib]]
|langs= '''Spoken & written script of holy [[Guru Granth Sahib]]:'''<br />
Written language of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is: [[Gurmukhi]], Sahiskriti and [[Sant Bhasha]]<ref>Harjinder Singh article on the liturgical script of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji [http://www.sikhwomen.com/sikhism/scriptures/ggs/index.htm]</ref><br /> Spoken words: [[Punjabi]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Brij Bhasha]] and [[Persian Language|Persian]]<ref>Dr Kanwar Ranvir Singh article referring to the liturgical language of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji [http://www.sikhwomen.com/sikhism/gurmat_and_hinduism.htm]</ref><br />
'''Predominant [[spoken language]]s:'''
The [[vernacular]] language of the home nation in the Sikh diaspora, significantly including [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[English language|English]], [[Hindi]], [[Urdu]], [[Swahili language|Swahili]], [[Malay language|Malaysian]], and [[Thai language|Thai]]
|footnotes = † ''Estimated figure as of 2004.''<br/>‡ ''Indonesian law does not recognize Sikhism, thus Sikhs are not allowed to identify themselves as such on their identity cards or birth or marriage certificates, Sikhs are therefore registered as [[Hindu]].''
}}
{{Sikhi}}
'''Sikh''' (English: {{IPA|[siːk]}} or {{IPA|[sɪk]}}; {{lang-pa|ਸਿੱਖ}}, ''{{IAST|sikkh}}'', IPA: {{IPA|['sɪk.kʰ]}}) is the title and name given to an adherent of [[Sikhism]]. The term has its origin in the [[Sanskrit]] ''{{IAST|[[śiṣya]]}}'' "disciple, learner" or ''{{IAST|śikṣa}}'' "instruction."<ref>{{cite book | last=Singh | first=Khushwant | authorlink=Khushwant Singh | year=2006 | title=The Illustrated History of the Sikhs | publisher=Oxford University Press | location=India | id = ISBN 0-19-567747-1 | pages=15}}</ref><ref>{{pa icon}} {{cite book | last=Nabha | first=Kahan Singh | year=1930 | language=Punjabi | title=Gur Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh/{{lang|pa|ਗੁਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਰਤਨਾਕਰ ਮਹਾਨ ਕੋਸ਼}}| url=http://www.ik13.com/online_library.htm#mahankosh | accessdate=2006-05-29 | pages=720}}</ref>
Many male Sikhs can easily be recognized by their [[dastar|turban]]s, beards, or steel [[Kara (Sikhism)|bracelets]] on their right wrists. Steel bracelets are also worn by Sikh women.<ref>{{cite web | title = Etymology of Sikh | url = http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhs | accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
The evolution of Sikhs began with the emergence of [[Guru Nanak Dev|Guru Nanak]] as a religious leader and a social reformer during the [[fifteenth century]] in [[Punjab region|Punjab]]. Their identity was formalised and weilded into uniform practise by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] on [[march 30]], [[1699]]. The latter baptised five persons from different social backgrounds to form the social brotherhood of the [[Khalsa]]. The first five, [[Panj Piare|Pure Ones]], then baptised Gobind Singh into the Khalsa fold.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Singh
| first = Patwant
| title = The Sikhs
| publisher = Knopf
| pages = 14
| isbn = 0375407286}}</ref>
The Sikhs established a [[nation]], under [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Punjab)|Ranjit Singh]], in the [[nineteenth century]] in which they were preeminent. They were known for their [[military]] prowess, administrative capabilties, economic productivity and their adaptability to modern western technology and administration.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Gibson
| first = Margaret A.
| title = Accommodation Without Assimilation:Sikh Immigrants in an American High School
| publisher = Cornell University Press
| date = 1988
| isbn = 0801495032}}</ref>
The Sikhs comprise about two percent of [[India]]'s [[1,000,000,000 (number)|billion]] [[population]]. The greater [[Punjab region]] is the historic homeland of Sikhism. Most Sikhs are from the [[Punjabi people]] and now come from the [[Punjab (India)|Punjab region of India]], although significant communities exist around the world.
==Philosophy==
{{main|Sikhism|Sikh Gurus}}
The core [[philosophy]] of the Sikh religion can be understood in the beginning [[hymn]] of the holy [[Guru Granth Sahib]],
{{cquote|There is one supreme eternal reality; the truth; immanent in all things; creator of all things; immanent in creation. Without fear and without hatred; not subject to time; beyond birth and death; self-revealing. Known by the Guru’s grace.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikhism - MSN Encarta
| url = http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566784/Sikhism.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>|30px|30px}}
[[Guru Nanak Dev|Guru Nanak]], the founder of the faith, summed up the basis of Sikh lifestyle in three requirements: [[Naam Japo]], [[Kirat Karni]] and [[Wand kay Shako]], which means meditate on the holy name ([[Waheguru]]), work diligently and honestly and share one's fruits.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Concepts of Seva and Simran
| url = http://www.sikhpoint.com/religion/philosophyofsikhism/default.php
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
The Sikhs revere [[Guru Granth Sahib]] as their supreme teacher, as it is a literal transcript of the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. The [[Guru Gobind Singh|tenth Guru]] appointed Guru Granth Sahib as his successor. Compiled by the Sikh Gurus, and maintained in its original form, Sikhs revere Guru Granth Sahib as their supreme guide. Non-Sikhs can partake fully in Sikh prayer meetings and social functions. Their daily prayers include the well being of whole mankind.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Nesbitt
| first = Eleanor
| title = Sikhism: a very short introduction
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| pages = 13–21
| isbn =0-19-280601-7 }} </ref>
The concept of saint-soldier is a unique feature of Sikhism. Every Sikh is required to aspire to sainthood by his devotion to God and service to mankind, but also, according to the situation, to adopt the role of the soldier. A Sikh is also commanded, ''if necessary'' and ''circumstances allow'', to lay his or her life down to protect the [[poor]] and [[weak]], regardless of race, religion, sex or creed. The Sikhs look at the [[martyrdom]] of the [[Guru Teg Bahadur|9th Guru]] for trying to protect [[Hindu]]s from religious persecution, in [[Delhi]], on 11 November 1675 AD, as an example to be followed.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sri Guru Tegh Bhadur Sahib
| url = http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-gurus/sri-guru-tegh-bhadur-sahib-j.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
Sikhs are required not to renounce the world,<ref>Sikh Philosophical Tenants[http://www.sikhs.org/philos.htm]</ref> and aspire to live a modest life. [[Seva]] (service) is an integral part of Sikh worship, very easily observed in the [[Gurdwara]]. Visitors of any religious or socio-economic background are welcomed, where [[Langar]] (food for all) is always served.
The Sikhs also revere ''Bhaktas'' or Saints belonging to different social backgrounds. The work of these [[Sikh Bhagats|Bhagats]] is collected in Guru Granth Sahib, and is known as Bhagat-Bani (sacred word of bhagat) as against work of Sikh Gurus being known as Gur-Bani (sacred word of guru).
People revered by Sikhs also include:<ref>{{cite web
| last = Brar
| first = Sandeep Singh
| title = Authoritative essays on the Sikh Gurus and Saints
| url = http://www.sikhs.org/saints.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
* [[Bhai Mardana]]: ''(One of the first followers and lifelong companion of [[Guru Nanak]])''
* [[Bhai Bala]]:''(One of the first followers and lifelong companion of [[Guru Nanak]])''
* [[Baba Buddha]]: ''(Sikh saint, held the position of high [[Granthi]] in the Sikh religion)''
* [[Banda Bahadur|Baba Banda Singh Bahadur]]: ''(Fought and Defeated [[Mughal]] Governor of Punjab Wazir Khan and established Sikh force in Punjab)''
* [[Baba Deep Singh]]: ''(Sikh saint, defended Golden Temple with his head in his hand)''
*[[Bhai Mani Singh]]''(Sikh Scholar, compiled the [[Dasam Granth]]) ''
* [[Bhai Taru Singh]] '' (Was a great patron of the poor)''
* [[Bhai Gurdas]] ''(Known for his interpretation of bani)''
Early Sikh Scholars included [[Bhai Vir Singh]] and [[Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha]]
==Five Ks==
{{main|Khalsa|Sahajdhari}}
[[Image:CIMG0349.JPG|thumb|left|[[Kanga (Sikhism)|Kanga]], [[Kara (Sikhism)|Kara]] and [[Kirpan]] - three of the five articles of faith endowed to the Sikhs.]] The Five Ks, or ''panj kakaar/kakke'', are five articles of faith that all ''baptized Sikhs'' ([[Khalsa]]) are required to wear at all times, as commanded by the [[Guru Gobind Singh|tenth Sikh Guru]], who so ordered on the day of [[Baisakhi]] [[Amrit Sanskar]] in 1699. The symbols are worn for identification and representation of the ideals of Sikhism, such as honesty, equality, fidelity, meditating on God, and never bowing to tyranny.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Nesbitt
| first = Eleanor
| title = Sikhism: a very short introduction
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| pages = 40–43
| isbn = 0-19-280601-7}}</ref>
The [[Five Ks|five symbols]] are:-
* [[Kesh (Sikhism)|Kesh]] (uncut hair)
* [[Kanga (Sikhism)|Kanga]] (wooden comb)
* [[Kaccha]] (specially-designed underwear)
* [[Kara (Sikhism)|Kara]] (Iron bracelet)
* [[Kirpan]] (strapped sword).
==History==
{{main|History of Sikhism}}
[[Image:Sikh helmet.jpg|thumb|right|100px|A Sikh Empire warrior's battle helmet]]
Essentially Sikh history, with respect to Sikhs as a distinct political body, can be said to have began with the martyrdom of the fifth Sikh Guru, [[Arjan Dev|Guru Arjan Dev]] in 1606. Sikh distinction was further enhanced by the establishment of the Sikh 'Pure' brotherhood or [[Khalsa]] (ਖਾਲਸਾ), by [[Gobind Singh|Guru Gobind Singh]] in 1699.<ref>{{cite web
| title =BBC History of Sikhism - The Khalsa
| work =Sikh world history
| publisher =BBC Religion & Ethics
| date =2003-08-29
| url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/history/history_1.shtml
| accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}</ref> This gives the Sikhs, as an organized political grouping, a history of around 400 years.
Generally Sikhs have had amicable relations with other religious communities. However, during the [[Islamic]] conquest of India (1556–1707), prominent [[Sikh Gurus]] were martyred by the ruling [[Mughals]] for opposing the Mughul's persecution of non-Islamic religious communities.<ref>{{cite journal
| last =McLeod
| first =Hew
| title =Sikhs and Muslims in the Punjab
| journal =South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies
| volume =22
| issue =s1
| pages =155–165
| date =1987
| doi =10.1080/00856408708723379 }}</ref>
Subsequently, the Sikhs [[militarized]] to oppose Islamic hegemony. The emergence of the [[Sikh Confederacy|Sikh Empire]] under reign of the Sikh Maharajah [[Ranjit Singh]] was characterized by religious tolerance and [[Religious pluralism|pluralism]] with Christians, Muslims and Hindus in positions of power. The establishment of the [[Sikh Confederacy|Sikh Empire]] is commonly considered the zenith of Sikh political sovereignty,<ref name="Lafont">{{cite book
| last =Lafont
| first =Jean-Marie
| title =Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Lord of the Five Rivers (French Sources of Indian History Sources)
| publisher =Oxford University Press
| date =(May 16, 2002)
| location =USA
| pages =23–29
| isbn = 0195661117}}</ref> during this time the [[Sikh Confederacy|Sikh Empire]] came to include [[Kashmir]], [[Ladakh]], and [[Peshawar]]. The [[Sikh Confederacy|Empire's]] secular administration integrated innovative military, economic and governmental reforms also influenced by the [[Code Napoleon|Napoleonic]] model. Culturally amongst the achievements of the Empire was the establishment of the Imam Bakhsh Lahori school of painting, the discovery of [[Gandhara art]], and the exploration of the Himalayas.<ref name="Lafont"/>
[[Image:Order of merit ranjit singh.jpg|right|100px|thumb|A Sikh Empire war medal]]
The months leading up to the partition India in 1947, saw heavy conflict in the [[Punjab Region|Punjab]] between Sikh and Muslim, which saw the effective ethnic cleansing of Sikhs from [[Punjab (Pakistan)|West Punjab]] which mirrored a similar ethnic cleansing of Muslims in [[Punjab (India)|East Punjab]].<ref name="Dutt et al"/>
The 1960s saw growing animosity and rioting between Sikhs and Hindus in India,<ref>{{Citation
| last =Lukas
| first =J. Anthony
| author-link =
| title =Hindu vs. Sikh: Why the Killing
| newspaper =The New York Times
| pages =209
| year =1966
| date =March 20, 1966
| url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10916F73D5C15768FDDA90A94DB405B868AF1D3}}</ref> as the Sikhs agitated for the creation of a Sikh majority state, an undertaking which was promised to the Sikh leader [[Master Tara Singh]] by [[Nehru]] in return for Sikh political support during the negotiations for [[Indian Independence]].<ref>{{cite journal
| last =Telford
| first =Hamish
| title =The Political Economy of Punjab: Creating Space for Sikh Militancy
| journal =Asian Survey
| volume =32
| issue =11
| pages =969–987
| date =Nov., 1992
| doi =10.1525/as.1992.32.11.00p0215k }}</ref> Sikhs obtained the Sikh majority state of [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] on [[November 1]], [[1966]].
Communal tensions between Sikhs and Hindus arose again in the late 1970s, fueled by Sikh claims of discrimination and marginalization by the Hindu dominated [[Indian National Congress]] ruling party and the "dictatorial" tactics adopted the then Indian Prime Minister, [[Indira Gandhi]].<ref name="Frank">{{cite book
| last =Frank
| first =Katherine
| authorlink =Katherine Frank
| title =Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi
| publisher =Houghton Mifflin
| date =January 7, 2002
| pages =312–327
| isbn =039573097X }}</ref> Frank<ref name="Frank"/> argues that [[Indira Gandhi|Gandhi]]'s assumption of emergency powers in 1975 resulted in the weakening of the "legitimate and impartial machinery of government" and her increasing "paranoia" of opposing political groups led her to instigate a "despotic policy of playing castes, religions and political groups against each other for political advantage". As a reaction against these actions came the emergence of the Sikh leader [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] who vocalized Sikh sentiment for justice and advocated the creation of a Sikh homeland, [[Khalistan]]. This accelerated Punjab into a state of communal violence.<ref name="NYT">{{Citation
| last =Pace
| first =Eric
| author-link =
| title =Assassination in India: Sikhs at the center of the drama; Sikh separation dates back to '47
| newspaper =The New York Times
| pages =24
| year =1984
| date =November 1, 1984
| url =http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20711FF385D0C728CDDA80994DC484D81}}</ref> [[Indira Gandhi|Gandhi]]'s 1984 action to defeat [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] led to desecration of the [[Golden Temple]] in [[Operation Bluestar]] and ultimately led to Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards.<ref name="NYT"/>[[Image:Harminder sahib5.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The [[Golden Temple]] is one of the oldest Sikh [[Gurudwara]] and houses [[Akal Takht]]]]This resulted in an explosion of violence against the Sikh community in the [[Anti Sikh Riots]] which resulted in the massacre of thousands of Sikhs throughout India; [[Khushwant Singh]] described the actions as being a Sikh [[pogrom]] in which he "felt like a refugee in my country. In fact, I felt like a Jew in Nazi Germany".<ref>{{cite web
| last =Peer
| first =Basharat
| title =Anti-Sikh riots a pogrom: Khushwant
| work =News Report
| publisher =Rediff
| date =May 9, 2001
| url =http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/may/09sikh.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}</ref> Since 1984, relations between Sikhs and Hindus have reached a rapprochement helped by growing economic prosperity; however in 2002 the claims of the popular right-wing Hindu organization the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]], that "Sikhs are Hindus" angered Sikh sensibilities.<ref>{{cite journal
| last =Rambachan
| first =Anantanand
| authorlink =Anantanand Rambachan
| title =The Co-existence of Violence and Non-Violence in Hinduism
| journal =The Ecumenical Review
| volume =55
| pages =2003
| url =http://www.wou.edu/~khes/geog451/hindu_violence.pdf
| accessdate =2008-04-04 }}</ref> Many Sikhs still are campaigning for justice for victims of the violence and the political and economic needs of the Punjab espoused in the [[Khalistan movement]].
In 1996 the [[Special Rapporteur]] for the [[Commission on Human Rights]] on freedom of religion or belief, Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia, 1993–2004), visited India in order to compose a report on religious discrimination. In 1997,<ref>{{Citation
| last =Pike
| first =John
| title =Military: Sikhs in Punjab
| date =2005-04-27
| year =2005
| url =http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/punjab.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}</ref> Amor concluded, "it appears that the situation of the Sikhs in the religious field is satisfactory, but that difficulties are arising in the political (foreign interference, terrorism, etc.), economic (in particular with regard to sharing of water supplies) and even occupational fields. Information received from nongovernment (sic)sources indicates that discrimination does exist in certain sectors of the public administration; examples include the decline in the number of Sikhs in the police force and the absence of Sikhs in personal bodyguard units since the murder of Indira Gandhi".<ref>{{Citation
| first =Abdelfattah
| last =Amor
| title = UNHR Documents on India
| year =1997
| pages =1–22
| place =Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/23
| publisher =Commission on Human Rights, 53rd Session
| url =http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?c=84&su=90
}}</ref>
==Distribution==
{{main|Sikh diaspora}}
[[Image:Indias Sikh Pop. Chart02.JPG|thumb|left|100px|Chart showing [[Demographics of India|India's]] total Sikh population and their percentage of the total Indian population.]]
Numbering approximately 23 million worldwide, Sikhs make up 0.39%<ref>{{cite web
| title = CIA Factbook
| url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> of the world population of which approximately 83% live in India. Of the Indian Sikh community 14.6 million, i.e. 76% of all Indian Sikhs, live in the northern Indian State of [[Punjab (India)]], where they form a majority 59.9% of the population. Substantial communities of Sikhs, i.e. greater than 200,000, live in the Indian States/Union territories of [[Haryana]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Delhi]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Uttaranchal]] and [[Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Breakdown of Indian Sikh population by Indian States/Union territories
| url = http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Summary%20Sikhs.pdf
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
Sikh migration from the then [[British India]] began in earnest from the 2nd half of the 19th century when the British had completed their annexation of the [[Punjab region|Punjab]].<ref name="Dutt et al">{{cite journal
| last = Dutt
| first = Amitava
| coauthors = Surinder Devgun
| title = Diffusion of Sikhism and recent migration patterns of Sikhs in India
| journal = GeoJournal
| volume = 1
| issue = 5
| pages = 81–89
| date = 1977-09-23
| url = http://www.springerlink.com/content/p726g4t656018333/
| id = ISSN 1572-9893
| accessdate = 2008-04-04
| doi = 10.1007/BF00704966}}</ref> The [[British Raj]] preferentially recruited Sikhs in the [[Indian Civil Service]] and, in particular, the [[British Indian Army]], which led to migration of Sikhs to different parts of [[India|British India]] and the [[British Empire]].<ref name="Dutt et al"/> During the era of the [[British Raj]], semiskilled Sikh artisans were also transported from the Punjab to British [[East Africa]] to help in the building of railways. After World War II, Sikhs emigrated from both India and Pakistan, most going to the [[Sikhism in United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] but many also headed for [[North America]]. Some of the Sikhs who had settled in eastern Africa were expelled by Ugandan dictator [[Idi Amin]] in 1972.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia
| title = Sikhism
| encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica
| publisher =Encyclopedia Britannica
| date = 2007
| id = http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-253167/Sikhism
| accessdate =2008-04-04 }}</ref> Subsequently the main 'push' factor for Sikh migration has been economic with significant Sikh communities now being found in [[Canada]], the [[United Kingdom]], the [[United States]], [[Malaysia]], [[East Africa]], [[Australasia]] and [[Thailand]].
[[Image:World Sikh Pop. Map 2004-02.JPG|thumb|rigth|350px|Map showing world Sikh population areas and historical migration patterns (Est. 2004).<ref name="Johnson et al">{{cite journal
| last = Johnson
| first = Todd
| coauthors = David B. Barrett
| title = Quantifying Alternate Futures of Religion and Religions
| journal = Futures
| volume = 36
| issue = 9
| pages = 947–960
| date = 2004-09-02
| url = http://www.sciencedirect.com
| doi = 10.1016/j.futures.2004.02.009
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>]]
Whilst the rate of Sikh migration from the [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] has remained high, traditional patterns of Sikh migration, that favored English speaking countries, particularly the [[United Kingdom]] has changed in the past decade due to factors such as stricter immigration procedures. Moliner(2006)<ref name="Moliner">
{{Citation
| first = Christine
| last = Moliner
| contribution = Sikhs in France
| title = Migration Patterns - Workshop on Indian Migration
| year = 2006
| pages = abstract
| place = Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales(EHESS)
| publisher =Laboratoire d’Anthropologie Urbaine/CNRS
| url = http://www.ivry.cnrs.fr/lau/IMG/rtf/Abstracts.rtf
| id = }}</ref> states that as a consequence of the 'fact' that Sikh migration to the UK had "become virtually impossible since the late 1970s", Sikh migration patterns altered to continental Europe. [[Italy]] has now emerged as a fast growing area for Sikh migration,<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Ciprani
| first = Ralph
| title = Sikh Storia e immigrazione - The Sikhs: History and Immigration
| journal = International Sociology
| volume = 21
| pages = 474–476
| date = 2006-05-14
| url = http://iss.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/21/3/474
| accessdate = 2008-04-04
| doi = 10.1177/026858090602100331}}</ref> with [[Reggio Emilia]] and the [[Vicenza]] province being areas of significant Sikh population clusters.<ref name="Italy">{{cite news
| last =IANS
| title =Now, Sikhs do a Canada in Italy
| language =English
| publisher =NRIinternet
| date =[[2004-09-15]]
| url =http://www.nriinternet.com/EUROPE/ITALY/2004/111604Gurdwara.htm
| accessdate =2008-04-04}}</ref> The Italian Sikhs are generally involved in areas of [[agriculture]], agro-processing, machine tools and [[horticulture]].<ref>{{cite news
| last =Singh
| first =Kulwinder
| title =Italy may open VISA office in Chandigarh very soon
| language =English
| publisher =NRIinternet
| date =[[2007-08-11]]
| url =http://www.nriinternet.com/EUROPE/ITALY/2007/0701_Visa_office_in_Chandigarh.htm
| accessdate =2008-04-04}}</ref>
Due primarily to [[socio-economic]] reasons, Indian Sikhs have the lowest adjusted decadal growth rate of any major religious group in India, at 16.9% per decade (est. 1991–2001).<ref>{{cite web
| title =Proportion and growth rate of population by religious communities, India, 1961–2001
| work =Office of the Registrar General, India
| publisher =CensusIndia
| date =[[2004-09-06]]
| url =http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/statement.pdf
| format =[[PDF]]
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> Johnson and Barrett(2004) estimate that the global Sikh population increases annually by 392,633 Sikhs, i.e. by 1.7% p.a. on 2004 figures,<ref name="Johnson et al"/> this growth rate takes into account factors such as births, deaths and conversions.
==Representation==
[[Image:SINGHUSA.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Manmohan Singh|Prime Minister Manmohan Singh]] shakes hands with U.S. Vice President [[Dick Cheney]] after delivering a speech to the [[Joint session of the United States Congress]] as Speaker of the House [[Dennis Hastert]] looks on.]]
Sikhs are represented in Indian politics, with the current Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]], and the Deputy Chairman of the Indian [[Planning Commission]] [[Montek Singh Ahluwalia]], all hailing from the community. The current Chief-minister of Punjab, [[Parkash Singh Badal]], is a Sikh.Past Sikh politicians in India have included [[Gurdial Singh Dhillon|Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon]], Speaker of the [[Parliament of India]]. [[Pratap Singh Kairon]], Union minister, famous Sikh [[Indian independence movement]] leader and former [[List of Chief Ministers of India|Chief-minister of Punjab (India)]].
Prominent politicians of the Sikh Diaspora include the first [[Asian American]] to be elected as a full voting Member of [[United States Congress]] [[Dalip Singh Saund]],<ref>{{cite web
| authorlink = News Despatches
| title =First Asian-American Congressman Gets His Own Post Office
| work =Pacific News Service
| publisher =Pacific News Alliance
| date =2005-02-21
| url =http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=f3099a521bcb2c77da1513af0cce60e1
| accessdate =2008-04-04 }}</ref> the former mayoress of [[Dunedin, New Zealand|Dunedin]] [[Sukhi Turner]], the current UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State [[Parmjit Dhanda]] MP<ref>{{cite web
| title =list of all government ministers
| work =10 Downing Street
| publisher =directgov
| date =2007-08-29
| url =http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page2988.asp
| accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}</ref> and the Canadian Shadow Social Development Minister [[Ruby Dhalla]] MP. [[Vic Dhillon]], is a famous Sikh [[Canadian]] [[politician]] and current member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]].
[[Image:The Regiment Sikh Regiment Battle Insignia.jpg|thumb|left|60px|[[Sikh Regiment|The Sikh Regiment]] [[Insignia|Battle Insignia]]]]Sikhs make up 10–15% of all ranks in the [[Indian Army]] and 20% of its officers,<ref>{{cite journal
| last =Kundu
| first =Apurba
| title =The Indian Armed Forces' Sikh and Non-Sikh Officers' Opinions of Operation Blue Star
| journal =Pacific Affairs
| volume =67
| issue =1
| pages =46–69
| date =Spring, 1994
| url =http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0030-851X(199421)67%3A1%3C46%3ATIAFSA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-8
| doi =10.2307/2760119
| accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}
</ref> whilst Sikhs only forming 1.87% of the Indian population, which makes them over 10 times more likely to be a soldier and officer in the Indian Army than the average Indian.<ref>{{cite web
| title =After partition: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
| work =BBC In Depth
| publisher =BBC News
| date =2007-08-08
| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/6922293.stm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> Sikh men in [[India]] are commonly referred to with the title of [[Sardar]], which means commander in [[Persian language|Persian]] and is a sign of [[authority|military authority]].The [[Sikh Regiment]] is the highest decorated [[regiment]] of the [[Indian Army]],<ref>{{cite web
| title = Sikh Regiment
| url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/rgt-sikh.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> with 73 [[Battle Honours]], 14 [[Victoria Crosses]],<ref>{{cite web
| title = Excerpts from British High Commissioner Michael Arthur, talk
| url = http://www.nriinternet.com/Section4HistoryNRI/UK%20History/5_1016_SuccessStory.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> 21 ''first class'' [[Indian Order of Merit]] ''(equivalent to the Victoria Cross)'',<ref>{{cite web
| title = History of Sikh gallantry
| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/24/nsikh224.xml
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> 15 Theatre Honours and 5 COAS Unit Citations besides 2 [[Param Vir Chakra]]s, 14 [[Maha Vir Chakra]]s, 5 [[Kirti Chakra]]s, 67 [[Vir Chakra]]s and 1596 other gallantry awards.[[Image:Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Photo of [[Arjan Singh|Marshal of the Air Force of India Arjan Singh]]]]The highest-ranking General in the history of the Indian Air Force is a Sikh [[Arjan Singh|Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh]].<ref>{{cite web
| last = Pillarisetti
| first = Jagan
| title = Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh
| url = http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Legends/Arjan.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> Advanced plans by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|MOD]] to raise an [[Infantry]] UK [[Sikh Regiment]] were scrapped in June 2007 to the disappointment of the UK Sikh community and [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles of Britain]].<ref>{{Citation
| last =Rayment
| first =Sean
| author2-link =
| title =Sikh regiment dumped over 'racism' fears
| newspaper =Telegraph
| year =2007
| date =2007-06-24
| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/24/nsikh124.xml}}</ref>
Historically, most Indians have been farmers and even today ''(two-thirds)'' 66% of Indians are farmers.<ref>{{cite web
| title = World Bank loan for India farmers
| publisher = BBC NEWS
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6245366.stm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> Indian Sikhs are no different and have been predominately employed in the [[agriculture|agro-business]], India's 2001 census found that 39% of the working population of Punjab were employed in this sector ''(less than the Indian average)''.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Agriculture and Allied Sector
| work =Economy and Infrastructure
| publisher =Punjab State
| url =http://punjabgovt.nic.in/ECONOMY/AGRICULTURE_ALLIED.HTM
| accessdate =2008-04-04}}</ref> The success, in the 1960s, of the [[Green Revolution]], in which India went from "famine to plenty, from humiliation to dignity",<ref>{{cite web
| title =From famine to plenty, from humiliation to dignity.
| publisher =Good News India
| date =November, 2002
| url =http://www.goodnewsindia.com/Pages/content/milestones/greenRev.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> was based in the Sikh majority state of Punjab which became known as "the breadbasket of India".<ref>{{cite web
| title = Welcome to Offical Web site of Punjab, India
| url = http://punjabgovt.nic.in/agriculture/AGRICULT1.HTM
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| title = India's "breadbasket" aims to be new IT hotspot
| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSDEL15249320070430
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> The Sikh majority state of Punjab is also statistically the [[wealthiest]] ''([[per capita]])'' with the average Punjabi through, his hard work, enjoying the highest income in India, 3 times the national Indian average.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Where Punjab Leads
| url = http://punjabgovt.nic.in/punjabataglance/LeadingbyExample.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> The Green Revolution centered upon Indian Punjabi Sikh farmers adapting their farming methods to more [[intensive farming|intensive]] and [[mechanization|mechanized]] techniques; note this was aided by the [[electrification]] of Punjab, cooperative credit, consolidation of small holdings and the existing [[British Raj]] developed canal system.<ref>{{cite web
| title = The Green Revolution
| work =Agriculture
| publisher =Punjab State
| date =2004
| url =http://punjabgovt.nic.in/agriculture/TheGreen.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> Swedish political scientist, [[Ishtiaq Ahmad (political scientist)|Ishtiaq Ahmad]], states that a factor in the success of the [[Indian green revolution]] transformation was the "Sikh peasant cultivator, often the Jat, whose courage, perseverance, spirit of enterprise and muscle prowess proved crucial".<ref>{{cite web
| last =Ishtiaq
| first =Ahmad
| authorlink =Ishtiaq Ahmad (political scientist)
| title =West and East Punjab agriculture — a comparison
| work =Comment
| publisher =Daily Times
| date =February 8, 2005
| url =http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_8-2-2005_pg3_2
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> However not all aspects of the [[Indian green revolution|green revolution]] were beneficial, Shiva<ref>{{cite paper
| author =Guus Geurts Studentnummer
| title =The cause and effects of the Green Revolution in Punjab (India) – critical analysis of "The Violence of the Green Revolution" by [[Vandana Shiva]](1991)
| publisher =Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen
| date =5 March 2001
| url =http://www.guusgeurts.nl/inhoud/artikelen/EssayVandanaShiva.doc
| format =[[Microsoft Word|MS Word]]
| accessdate = }}</ref> argues that the green revolution essentially rendered the "negative and destructive impacts of science [i.e. the green revolution] on nature and society" invisible; thus having being separated from their material and political roots in the science system, when new forms of scarcity and social conflict arose they were linked not to traditional causes but to other social systems e.g. religion. Hence [[Vandana Shiva]] argues that the green revolution was a catalyst for communal Sikh and Hindu tensions; despite the growth in material affluence.
[[Image:Professor Piara Singh Gill.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Photo of Professor [[Piara Singh Gill]] one of the chief [[nuclear physics|nuclear]] scientists that worked on the [[Manhattan project]].]]
[[Image:Dr Narinder Singh Kapany.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Photo of [[Narinder Singh Kapany|Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany]] ''the father of [[fibre optics]]'']]
Sikhs feature in varied professions such as scientists, engineers and doctors; notable Sikhs include [[nuclear physics|nuclear]] [[scientist]] [[Piara Singh Gill|Professor Piara Singh Gill]] who worked on the [[Manhattan project]]; [[optic]]s [[scientist]] ''("the father of [[fibre optics]]")'' [[Narinder Singh Kapany|Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany]]; physicist and science writer/broadcaster [[Simon Singh]] and [[agricultural scientist]] [[Baldev Singh Dhillon|Professor Baldev Singh Dhillon]].
In the sphere of business, the clothing retailers/brands of UK based [[New Look (store)|New Look]] and Thai based JASPAL<ref>{{cite web
| title =JASPAL
| work =About
| url =http://www.Jaspal.com/
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> were started by Sikhs. India's largest pharmaceutical company [[Ranbaxy Laboratories]] is headed by Sikhs.<ref>{{cite web
| title =#24 Malvinder & Shivinder Singh
| work =India's Richest
| publisher =Forbes.com
| date =2006-11-16
| url =http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/77/biz_06india_Malvinder-Shivinder-Singh_DN7N.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> UK Sikhs have the highest percentage of home ownership, at 82%, out of all UK religious/ethnic communities.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Housing: Sikhs most likely to own their own homes
| work =Religion
| publisher =UK National Statistics
| date =11 October 2004
| url =http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=962&Pos=2&ColRank=2&Rank=800
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> In Singapore, Kartar Singh Thakral has built up his family's trading business, Thakral Holdings/Corp,<ref>{{cite web
| title =#25 Kartar Singh Thakral
| work =Singapore's 40 Richest
| publisher =Forbes.com
| date =2006-08-24
| url =http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/79/06singapore_Kartar-Singh-Thakral_UEZJ.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> into a commercial concern with total assets of close to $1.4 billion. Thakral is Singapore's 25th richest person. [[Bob Singh Dhillon]] is the first [[Indo-Canadian]] billionaire and a Sikh.
Perhaps no Sikh diaspora group has had as much success as those who have migrated to [[North America]]; especially the Sikhs who have migrated to [[California]]’s fertile [[Central Valley (California)|Central Valley]]. The farming skills of the Sikhs and their willingness to work hard, ensured that they rose from humble migrant labourers to become landowners who control much of agriculture in California. Today American Sikh agriculturists such as Harbhajan Singh Samra and Didar Singh Bains dominate Californian agriculture and are known colloquially as the "[[Okra]]" and "[[Peach]]" kings respectively.
Prominent Sikh intellectuals, sportsmen and artists include the veteran writer [[Khushwant Singh]], England cricketer [[Monty Panesar]], former 400 m world record holder [[Milkha Singh]], and [[Harbhajan Singh]], India's most successful [[off spin]] [[bowling (cricket)|Cricket bowler]], actors [[Parminder Nagra]], [[Namrata Singh Gujral]], [[Archie Panjabi]] and director [[Gurinder Chadha]].
The Sikhs have migrated to most parts of the world and their vocations are as varied as their appearances. The Sikh community of the Indian subcontinent comprises many diverse sets of peoples as the Sikh Gurus preached for [[Ethnic group|ethnic]] and social [[harmony]]. These include different [[Ethnic group|ethnic peoples]], tribal and socio-economic groups. Main groupings (i.e. over 1,000 members) include: [[Arain]], [[Arora]], Bairagi, [[Vanika|Bania]], Basith, Bawaria, [[Bazigar]], [[Bhabra]], [[Brahman]], [[Chamar]], [[Chhimba]], Darzi, [[Dhobi]], [[Gujar]], [[Jat people|Jatt]], Jhinwar, Kahar, [[Kamboj]], [[Khatri]], [[Kumhar]], [[Labana]], [[Lohar]], Mahtam, [[Mazhabi]], [[Meghwar|Megh]], Mirasi, Mochi, [[Nai]], [[Rajput]], [[Ramgharia]], [[Saini]], Sarera, Sikligar, Sonar, Sudh, [[Tarkhan (Punjab)|Tarkhan]] and Zargar.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} In India, the [[Jat people|Jatt]] ethnic grouping is by far the largest at a population of 11,855,000 followed by the [[Mazhabi]] at 2,701,000 with the [[Tarkhan (Punjab)|Tarkhan]]s totaling 1,091,000.
There has also emerged a specialized group of Sikhs calling themselves [[Nihang|Akali]]s, which have existed since [[Ranjit Singh|Maharaja Ranjit Singh's]] time. Under their leader General Akali Phula Singh, in the early 1800s, they won many battles for the [[Sikh Confederacy|Sikh Empire]].
==Sikhs in the Indian and British Armies==
[[Image:SikhsInFrancePostcard.jpg|right|thumb|250px|French postcard depicting the arrival of 15th [[Sikh Regiment]] in France during [[World War I]]. The post card reads, ''"Gentlemen of India marching to chasten the German hooligans"'']]
By the advent of [[World War I]], Sikhs in the [[British Indian Army]] totaled over 100,000; i.e. 20% of the [[British Indian Army]]. In the years to 1945, 14 [[Victoria Crosses]] were awarded to the Sikhs, a per capita record given the size of the [[Sikh Regiment]]s.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Excerpts from British High Commissioner Michael Arthur, talk
| url = http://www.nriinternet.com/Section4HistoryNRI/UK%20History/5_1016_SuccessStory.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> In 2002, the names of all Sikh [[Victoria Cross|VC]] and [[George Cross]] winners were commemorated by being inscribed on the [[pavilion]] monument of the Memorial Gates<ref>{{cite web
| title = Memorial Gates Official Website
| url = http://www.mgtrust.org/links.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> on [[Constitution Hill, London|Constitution Hill]] next to [[Buckingham palace]], [[London]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = UK Government Report on the memorial
| url = http://www.millennium.gov.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1220&d=11&h=24&f=46&dateformat=%25o-%25B-%25Y
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> [[Chanan Singh Dhillon|Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Singh Dhillon]] (rtd.), Punjabi Indian [[World War II]] hero & Veteran, and president of the ex-services league (Punjab & Chandigarh) was instrumental in campaigning for the memorials building.
===The First and Second World Wars===
During the First World War, Sikh battalions fought in Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, [[Gallipoli]] and France. Six battalions of the [[Sikh Regiment]] were raised in the [[World War II]], and served at [[Second Battle of El Alamein|El Alamein]] and in [[Burma Campaign|Burma]], [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italy]] and [[Anglo-Iraqi War|Iraq]], winning 27 battle honours.
{{Quoter|"In the last two [[World War|world wars]] 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world, and during shell fire, with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith."|General Sir Frank Messervy<ref>Quote from General Sir Frank Messervy K.C.S.I, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O. from "The Sikh Regiment in the Second World War" by Colonel F T Birdwood OBE. Pub. in Great Britain by Jarrold and Sons Ltd., Norwich (1953). Pp. 1–6. ASIN: B0007K5HJM</ref>}}
Across the world Sikhs are commemorated in [[Commonwealth War Graves Commission|Commonwealth]] cemeteries.<ref>{{cite web
| title = India's High Commission in London 'Sikhs pioneered Britain's multi-cultural society
| url = http://www.hcilondon.net/Issues-in-focus/Sikhs-pioneered-Britain's-multi-cultural-society.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
===The Battle of Saragarhi===
{{main|Battle of Saragarhi}}[[Image:Pd image of Saragarhi Tablet.jpg|right|225px|thumb|Tablet commemorating the [[Battle of Saragarhi]], raised by the [[British Empire]].]]
The [[Battle of Saragarhi]] is considered one of the greatest stories of collective bravery in human history.<ref>{{cite web
| title = The Sunday Tribune - Books
| url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070415/spectrum/book2.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> The contingent of twenty-one soldiers from the 36th Sikhs was led by [[Havildar Ishar Singh]], and held off an [[Afghan]] attack of 10,000 men for several hours. All 21 Sikh soldiers chose to fight to the death instead of surrendering. In recognition of their supreme sacrifice, the [[British Parliament]] rose to pay them respect, and each one of them was awarded the [[Indian Order of Merit]] ''(equivalent to the [[Victoria Cross]])''. The battle has been compared to the [[Battle of Thermopylae]],<ref>{{cite web
| title = The battle of Saragarhi
| url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070922/mailbag.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> where a small [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] force faced a large [[Persian Empire|Persian]] army of [[Xerxes I of Persia|Xerxes]] ''(480 BC)''.
Saragarhi Day, is a Sikh military commemoration day celebrated on [[12 September]] every year annually to commemorate The Battle of Saragarhi. Sikh [[military]] personnel and Sikh non-military people commemorate the battle around the [[World]] every year on September 12th.
==Sikhs during the Indian Independence Movement==
During the [[Indian Independence Movement|Indian Independence Struggle]]; Out of 2,175 [[Martyr]]s 1,557, (75 percent), were Sikhs,<ref name=puri>{{cite book
| last = Puri
| first = Rajinder
| title = Recovery Of India
| publisher = Har-Anand Publications
| date = 1992
| location = India
| pages = 99
| isbn = 8124100039}}.</ref>
out of 2,646 [[India]]ns sent to [[Andaman Islands|Andamans]] for [[life imprisonment]] 2,147,(80 percent), were Sikhs,<ref name=puri/>
out of 127 Indians who were hanged 92, (80 percent), were Sikhs,<ref name=puri/>
out of 20,000 who joined the [[Indian National Army|INA]] under [[Subhash Chandra Bose|Bose]] 12000, (60 percent), were Sikhs.<ref name=puri/>
==Sikhism in Western World==
{{misleading}}
Due to the [[turban]]s Sikhs wear and the relative scarcity of Sikhs, there have been incidents of mistaking Sikhs in [[Western world|Western]] countries for [[Middle East]]ern men and/or [[Muslim]]s. This has negatively affected Sikhs living in the west especially with respect to the [[9/11]] terrorist attack and recent [[Iraq War]] conflict.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], some people associated Sikhs with terrorists or members of the [[Taliban]]. A few days after the attack [[Balbir Singh Sodhi]], a Sikh man, was gunned down by a person who thought that the victim had ties to [[Al-Qaeda]]. CNN suggests that there has been an increase in hate-crimes against Sikh men in the United States and the UK.<ref>{{cite web
| title =Hate crime reports up in wake of terrorist attacks
| work =US News
| publisher =CNN
| date =September 17, 2001
| url =http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/16/gen.hate.crimes/
| accessdate =2008-04-04}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
| title =Sikhs urging action on faith hate
| work =UK News
| publisher =BBC News
| date =5 November 2006
| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6117820.stm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
Sikhism as a faith has never actively sought converts, thus the Sikhs have remained a relatively homogeneous racial group. However, mainly due to the activities of [[Harbhajan Singh Yogi]] via his [[Kundalini Yoga]] focused [[3HO]] (Happy, Healthy, Holy) Organization, [[Sikhism]] has witnessed a moderate growth in non-Indian adherents.<ref>{{cite web
| title =3HO Healthy Happy Holy Organization
| work =About 3HO
| publisher =3HO.org
| url =http://www.3ho.org/about.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> In 1998 it was estimated that these 3HO Sikhs, known colloquially as ‘gora’ (ਗੋਰਾ) or ‘white’ Sikhs, totaled 7,800<ref>{{cite web
| title =Table of religious groups by alphabetical order
| publisher =Adherents.com
| date = 23 April 2007
| url =http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_302.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> and were mainly centered around [[Española, New Mexico|Española]], [[New Mexico]], and [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]].
==Distinguished Sikhs in the Modern Era==
[[Image:Udhamsingh 1.gif|thumb|right|100px|Indian revolutionary [[Udham Singh]] aka Ram Mohammed Singh Azad.]]
*[[Arjan Singh]]- [[Marshal of the Air Force|Marshal of the Indian Air Force]], former Chief of the Air Force Staff
*[[Baldev Singh]] - Indian independence movement leader
*[[Bhagat Singh|Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sandhu]]-Indian independence movement leader and martyr
*[[Fauja Singh]] - 90 year old Sikh marathon runner
*[[Kartar Singh Sarabha Grewal]] - Indian independence movement leader and martyr
*[[Joginder Jaswant Singh|General Joginder Jaswant Singh]] - [[Indian army]] [[Chief of Army Staff]]
*[[Hardeep Singh Kohli]] - Sikh writer, broadcaster and presenter from Scotland
*[[Master Tara Singh]] - Sikh and [[Indian independence movement]] leader
*[[Manmohan Singh|Dr. Manmohan Singh]]- [[Prime Minister of India]] and economist
*[[Milkha Singh]] (''the flying Sikh'') - winner of [[Padma Shri]], former 400 m [[Athletics (track and field)|track]] record holder, [[Gold medal]] (440 yards) at '58 [[Commonwealth Games]], Gold medal (200 & 400 m) at '58 [[Asian Games]] and Gold medal (200 m) in '62 Asian Games
*[[Narinder Singh Kapany|Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany]] - [[optics]] [[scientist]] and [[philanthropist]]
*[[Piara Singh Gill|Professor Piara Singh Gill]] - nuclear scientist
*[[Pratap Singh Kairon]] - Sikh and Indian independence movement leader
*[[Sardul Singh Caveeshar]] - Indian independence movement leader
*[[Udham Singh|Shaheed Udham Singh]] - Indian revolutionary and martyr
===Decorated Sikhs in the Military===
[[Image:Victoria Cross Medal Ribbon & Bar.jpg|thumb|75px|right|The prestigious [[Victoria Cross]], awarded for exceptional valour "in the face of the enemy".]]
*[[Bana Singh]] - awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
*[[Ishar Singh|Captain Ishar Singh]] - The first Sikh to receive the [[Victoria Cross]].
*[[Gurbachan Singh Salaria|Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria]] - awarded Param Vir Chakra.
*[[Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon|Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon]] - awarded Param Vir Chakra (the only officer of the [[Indian Air Force]] to be awarded Param Vir Chakra).
*[[Gian Singh]] - awarded the Victoria Cross.
*[[Jagjit Singh Aurora|Lt. General Jagjit Singh Aurora]] - supervised the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
*[[Joginder Singh (Subedar)]] - awarded Param Vir Chakra.
*[[Karamjeet Singh Judge|Lieutenant Karamjit Singh Judge]] - awarded the Victoria Cross.
*[[Karam Singh|Lance Karam Singh]] - awarded the [[Military Medal]] in World War II and awarded [[Param Vir Chakra]] (the second person to receive Param Vir Chakra).
*[[Parkash Singh|Major Havildar Parkash Singh]] - awarded the Victoria Cross.
*[[Nand Singh]] - awarded the [[Victoria Cross]]
[[Image:Baba Harbhajan Singh.JPG|right|thumb|100px|View inside the shrine of Baba Harbhajan Singh]]
====Baba Harbhajan Singh====
{{main|Baba Harbhajan Singh}}
[[Baba Harbhajan Singh]] - is a spiritually revered Sikh soldier by the [[Indian Army]], like a [[saint]], Indian army officers and soldiers believe he gives them protection in [[war]].
==Art and Culture==
{{main|Sikh art and culture}}
[[Image:HarmindarSahib.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Harmindar Sahib, circa 1870]]
Sikh art and culture is synonymous with that of the [[Punjab region]]. The Punjab itself has been called India’s melting pot, due to the confluence of invading cultures, such as [[Greeks|Greek]], [[Mughal]] and [[Persian Empire|Persian]], that mirrors the confluence of rivers from which the region gets its name. Thus Sikh culture is to a large extent informed by this synthesis of cultures.
[[Sikhism]] has forged a unique form of [[Sikh architecture|architecture]] which Bhatti describes as being "inspired by [[Guru Nanak]]’s creative mysticism" such that [[Sikh architecture]] "is a mute harbinger of holistic humanism based on pragmatic spirituality".<ref>{{cite web
| title =The Magnificence of Sikh Architecture
| url = http://www.punjabheritage.org/catagories/architectural-heritage/the-magnificence-of-sikh-architecture.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> The ‘key-note’ of Sikh architecture is the [[Gurdwara]] which is the personification of the "melting pot" of [[Punjabi]] cultures, showing both [[Islamic]], [[Sufi]] and [[Hindu]] influences.
The reign of the [[Sikh Empire]] was the single biggest catylst in creating a uniquely Sikh form of expression, with Maharajah [[Ranjit Singh]] patronising the building of forts, palaces, bungas (residential places), colleges, etc that can be said to be of the ''Sikh Style''. Characteristics of Sikh architecture are gilded fluted domes, cupolas, kiosks and stone lanterns with an ornate balustrade on square roofs. The "jewel in the crown" of the ''Sikh Style'' is the [[Golden Temple|Harmindar Sahib]].
Sikh culture is heavily influenced by militaristic motifs, with [[Khanda (religious symbol)|Khanda]] being the most obvious; thus it is no surprise that the majority of Sikh artifacts, independent of the relics of the [[Sikh Gurus|Gurus]], have a military theme. This motif is again evident in the Sikh festivals of [[Hola Mohalla]] and [[Vaisakhi]] which feature marching and practicing displays of valor respectively.
The art and culture of the [[Sikh diaspora]] has been merged with that of other Indo-immigrant groups into categories such as 'British Asian', 'Indo-Canadanian' and 'Desi-Culture'; however there has emerged a niche cultural phenomenon that can be described as 'Political Sikh'.<ref>{{cite web
| title = 'Art and Culture of the Diaspora'
| url = http://www.sikhchic.com/
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> The art of prominent [[Sikh diaspora|diaspora Sikhs]] such as Amarjeet Kaur Nandhra & Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh,<ref>{{cite web
| title = Singh Twins Art Launches Liverpool Fest
| url = http://sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=168&cat=1
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref> is informed by their Sikhism and the current affairs of the Punjab.
[[Bhangra]] and the Gidha are two forms of indigenous Punjabi folk dancing that have been appropriated, adapted and pioneered by Punjabi Sikhs. The Punjabi Sikhs have championed these forms of expression all over the world, such that Sikh Culture has become inextricably linked to [[Bhangra]], even though "Bhangra is not a Sikh institution but a Punjabi one."<ref>{{cite web
| title = Bhangra & Sikhi by Harjinder Singh
| url = http://www.sikhwomen.com/sikhism/culture_arts/bhangra.htm
| accessdate = 2008-04-04}}</ref>
<gallery>
Image:Dasam.Granth.Frontispiece.BL.Manuscript.1825-1850.jpg|A frontispiece to the Dasam Granth.
Image:Hazuri Bagh bardari.JPG|The Bardari of Ranjit Singh, built in the Hazuri Bagh.
Image:Ram bagh.jpg|Gateway of the Ram Bagh, North-East of [[Amritsar]]; built by Maharajah [[Ranjit Singh]].
Image:Nineteen-Eighty-four (The storming of the Golden Temple).jpg|The [[Sikh diaspora]] art of Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh is informed by uniquely Sikh issues.
</gallery>
==References and Notes==
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==Further reading==
*''The Sikhs In History: A Millennium Study '' by Sangat Singh, Noel Quinton King. First Published New York [[1995]]. ISBN 8190065025
* ''A History of the Sikhs: Volume 1: 1469–1838'' by Khushwant Singh. Pub. by Oxford India Paperbacks ([[January 13]], [[2005]]). ISBN 0195673085.
* ''The Sikhs'' by Patwant Singh. Published by Image ([[July 17]], [[2001]]). ISBN 0385502060.
* ''The Sikhs of the Punjab'' by J. S. Grewal. Published by Cambridge University Press ([[October 28]], [[1998]]). ISBN 0521637643.
* ''The Sikhs: History, Religion, and Society''by W.H. McLeod. Published by Columbia University Press ([[April 15]], [[1989]]). ISBN 0231068158.
* ''The Sikh Diaspora: Tradition and Change in an Immigrant Community (Asian Americans - Reconceptualizing Culture, History, Politics)'' by Michael Angelo. Published by Routledge ([[September 1]], [[1997]]). ISBN 0815329857.
==External links==
* [http://www.sportsclipz.com/video/KqYh7qYl9BY/the-legacy-of-siri-guru-nanak-devi-ji-part-1.html The legacy of Guru Nanak Dev - Documentary]
* [http://www.sikhspectrum.com/ SikhSpectrum.com Quarterly]
* [http://www.sikhismguide.org/ Sikhism Guide] — Guide to Sikhism
* [http://www.ggssc.org/ Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle] — A socio-religious non-profit Sikh organization
* [http://www.sikhs.org/ The Sikhism Home Page] — General resource site introducing the main concepts of Sikhism
* [http://www.gurmat.info/ Sikh Missionary Society (UK)] — Non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Sikh religion, culture and history
* [http://www.sikhvideos.org/ Sikh Videos Gurbani Kirtan] — Sikhism videos
* [http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/ All About Sikhs] — Sikhism resource site
* [http://www.srigranth.org/ Sri Granth] — Guru Granth Sahib search engine with additional scriptural resources
* [http://www.sikh-history.com/ Sikh-History.com] — Sikh history site
* [http://www.sikhnet.com/ SikhNet] — Sikh community website
* [http://asht.info/index_original.html Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail] — A new perspective on the heritage of one of Britain's most visible minorities
* [http://www.ispr.gov.pk/Multimedia/skh-cadet.htm First Sikh Cadet of Pakistan Army]
* [http://www.gurudwara.net/ Sikh Gurudwaras Around the World] — A global database of Sikh Gurudwaras around the world
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