There are many types of definitions of “Sikh” and “Sikhism” in various books encyclopedias and dictionaries. It is a matter of great concern for the Sikhs that no correct definition of the terms “Sikh” and “Sikhism” has been given by any Sikh scholar or any Sikh in Situation so far. The irony of the fact is that words “Nanak” “Sikh” and “Sikhism” which have been explained invariably in almost all English to English dictionaries are missing from the “English Panjabi Dictionary” published by the Panjabi University Patiala. But to my surprise the words “Christ” and “Christianity” were in there. So is the case with many other books published on Sikhism. Recently some books (Sikhism A comparative Study of its Theology and Mysticism (1979) by Daljit Singh Sterling Publishers Pvt. Lid New Delhi; Sikhism (1980) Edited by L.M Joshi Punjabi University Patiala; and Perspectives on the Sikh Tradition (1986) Edited by Gurdev Singh Academy of Sikh Religion & Culture Patiala) were published to represent real Sikhism and to remove the misrepresentations reported in other books. Although these books have given a very good account of Sikhism there was no attempt by any of these authors to define the terms “Sikh” and “Sikhism”. So much so that no definition of “Sikhism” was coined in the recent article “Notes towards the Definition of Sikhism written by Dr. Karnail Singh in Gurdwara Gazette of February1990 pages 5-16 and of March1990 pages 512. However a sort of definition of “Sikh” was found there.
Man has made tremendous advances in the fields of science and technology during the last 50 years and we are progressing at a much higher speed than that of 20 years ago. On the other hand Sikhism is one of the youngest religions It will be entering into the 21st century soon when it will be only six centuries old facing the test of time along with the other religions of the world. It is a pity that Sikhism is still being taught the way it was done in the early days except that the same material and same style of writings is appearing in English and other languages. Moreover the Sikh scholars and Sikh institutions have failed to define even the most common terms “Sikh” and “Sikhism” accurately so far. There is definition of “Sikh” given in Sikh Rahit Maryada (Codes of Conduct) issued by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Amritsar and that too contains some redundancies. There is no definition of “Sikhism” in this Sikh Rahit Maryada
It is the high time now that the Sikh scholars and the Sikh institutions to get together to define these terms accurately and guide the authors and publishers especially of those printing dictionaries and encyclopedias to follow the precise and concise terms of “Sikh” and “Sikhism” in their new editions In addition to this there is also a need of a special research project to work out a new and uniform Rahit Maryada to replace the old one and the others adapted by various Sikh institutions to serve their own purposes.
I have taken the liberty and some courage to define “Sikh” and “Sikhism” the most difficult task in the present article. But I would like to emphasize that these definitions are not the final versions but are suggestive and workable definitions for further research to coin the most appropriate ones.
Before we start defining these terms we should look into some of these already given by various scholars
Some Samples of Definitions and Comments Thereon
- Encyclopedia Britannica (1973) 14th edition. Vol.20: page 505. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. Chicago USA (By K.Si.Abbreviations probably stand for Khushwant Singh).
SIKHISM an Indian religion combining Islamic and Hindu beliefs founded in the late 15th century A.D. by Nanak the first guru (teacher).
The word “Sikh” is derived from the Sanskrit “Shishya” (disciple).
SIKHS are disciples of their ten Gurus some of whose writings are compiled in the Granth Sahib the Sikh sacred book.
An act of the Indian legislature defines a Sikh as one “who believes in the ten Gurus and the Granth Sahib”.
Comments: These are incomplete definitions because important characteristics of “Sikh” and “Sikhism” arc missing. Khushwant Singh the author considers that the readers already understand the Islamic and Hindu beliefs to visualize what Sikhism could be. However these are also incorrect terms.
- The New Encylopaedia Britannica (1974) 15th edition. (Reprinted in 1991) Vol 27: page 281. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. Chicago USA.
(By K.S.Abbreviations probably stand for Khushwant Singh).
SIKHISM was a historical development of the Hindu Vaisnava Bhakti movement a devotional movement among followers of the god Vishnu that began in Tamil country and was introduced to the north by Ramanuja (traditionally 1017-1137).
The word Sikh is derived from the Pali “Sikkha” or Sanskrit “sisya” meaning “disciple”. Sikhs are disciples of their ten Gurus (religious teachers) beginning with Nanak (1469-1539) and ending with Gobind Singh (16661708).
Comments: In these definitions “the combination of Islamic beliefs” and “founded by Nanak” given in the definition of the 14th edition of Encyclopedia.
Britannica have been deleted and the Sikhism has been brought closer to Hinduism in the 15th edition of Encyclopedia Britannica by the same author Khushwant Singh. It indicates that Khushwant Singh is trying to amalgamate Sikhism into Hinduism by removing the Islamic belief from his previous definition given in the 14th edition of Encyclopedia Britannica.
Most probably he has drawn the above conclusion to amalgamate Sikhism into Hinduism from Sher Singh’s work: Philosophy of Sikhism (1944) wherein it has been mentioned that Sikhism is an offshoot of Vaisnavite Hinduism; and from W.H. McLeods work: Guru Nanak and the Sikh Religion (1968 & 1976) wherein the theory of eclectic faith has been rejected and it is asserted that it is a branch of Hindu Vaisnavism (Quoted from the 15th edition of Encyclopedia Britannica (1991) vol 27 page 284).
- Crim Keith (General Editor) Abingdon Dictionary of Living Religions (1981) Abingdon Nashville Tenessee USA page 688. (The portion on Sikhism is written by Khushwant Singh).
SIKH: The Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1925 defines a Sikh as “one who believes in the Ten Gurus and the Granth Sahib”.
Sikhism is an eclectic faith combining the teachings of Bhakti Hinduism and the Muslim Sufis.
Comments: These definitions were also written by Khushwant Singh and he is almost sticking to his first definition of the 14th edition of Encyclopedia Britannica because by eliminating the beliefs of Islam (Muslim Sufis) as he did in the 15th edition the prominent features of Sikhism like monotheism and rejection of idolatry and caste system would be missing from the definition of Sikhism.
If we analyses the definitions given by Khushwant Singh it appears that for him the term “Sikhism” is so loose that he can change it at any time according to his whims without giving any consideration to what the Gurbani (“Sabd” hymns of Sikh Gurus) says.
- Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (1976) G. & C. Merriam Company Springfield Massachusetts USA.
SIKH [Hindi lit. disciple) an adherent of a monotheistic religion of India founded about 1500 by a Hindu under Islamic influence and marked by rejection of idolatry and caste. SIKHISM: Noun.
Comments: This definition also indicates the nature of eclectic faith combining Hinduism and Islam.
- Websters Third New International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged (1976) & C Merrium Company Spring filed Massachusetts USA.
Sikh: an adherent of Sikhism.
Sikh: adj. 1
- Of relating to or characteristic of Sikhism.
- Of relating to or characteristic of the Sikh.
Sikhism: a radically monotheistic religion of India founded about 1500 in the Punjab and characterized by its worship of one deity by its allegiance to sacred scriptures and by its witness to a line of 10 personal gurus until the guru ship was transferred in 1708 compares Khalsa 2 Nanakpanthi.
Comments: This term is quite independent of having any bias from the already discussed definitions. Because it gives at least some salient features of Sikhism Most probably it is so because it was not written by Khushwant Singh. But it has introduced two big divisions Khalsa and Nanakpanthi in it which is against the basic tenants of Sikhism it is clear from their definitions given as follows:
Khalsa:
- The exchequer of an Indian state.
- A militant theocracy arising in the late 17th century and connected
Article extracted from this publication >> April 24, 1992
