Sikhism: An Introduction

Guru Nanak and the Sikh tradition

Sikhism emerged in the Punjab from the teachings of Guru Nanak in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries and developed through a lineage of ten human Gurus. Sikh teaching emphasizes devotion to one God, truthful living, remembrance of the divine name, honest work, generosity and service.

The Guru Granth Sahib

After the period of the ten human Gurus, the Guru Granth Sahib became the enduring Guru of the Sikh community. The scripture contains devotional compositions by Sikh Gurus as well as by other saints and poets from varied backgrounds, and it is treated with profound reverence in Sikh worship.

Gurdwara, sangat and langar

A gurdwara is a Sikh place of worship. Congregational life includes listening to scripture and kirtan, devotional singing. Langar, the community kitchen and shared meal, expresses ideals of hospitality, service and equality by bringing people together without distinctions of status.

The Khalsa and visible identity

Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa in 1699. Initiated Sikhs observe a disciplined way of life and maintain the articles of faith commonly known as the Five Ks. Not every Sikh is initiated into the Khalsa, and visual markers such as a turban should not be used by the archive as the sole basis for identifying someone’s religion.

Varanasi and the wider archive

Sikhism is especially important to the archive’s photographs from Punjab and Amritsar. Varanasi also has a place in Sikh historical memory: UNESCO’s description of the historic Varanasi riverfront notes traditions that Guru Nanak visited the city. The Learn section can therefore connect local Varanasi history to the much larger Sikh story across northern India and the world.