Sikhism

Sikhism, religion combining elements of Hindu and Muslim beliefs. Founded by the guru Nanak at the turn of the 16th century, Sikhism is a monotheism whose teachings are embodied in its holy book, The Adi Granth. The word sikh means “disciple.” Among the beliefs of the Sikhs is the Hindu concept of reincarnation. Their tenth and final guru, Gobind Singh (1666–1708), led a fight against Muslim persecution, creating the warrior image with which Sikhs are still identified today. Additional characteristics are their turbans and their uncut hair. After the partition of India (1947), a war between Sikhs and Muslims resulted in the transfer of several million Sikhs from the western Punjab, which became part of Pakistan, to the eastern Punjab, in India. There the Sikhs, numbering some 14 million, have played a major role in the economy and in politics, often clashing with the central government in New Delhi. The Indian government's 1984 military occupation of the Golden Temple, the major shrine of Sikhism, has led to continuing conflict.

See also: Punjab; Ranjit Singh.