1. LAST LESSON(no. 11) COMPONENT 5 Sikhism
Includes:
- Women in Sikhism - equality
Nihangs/Gathka
Guru Arjans ‘centre of spirituality’
LIST OF TOPICS STUDIED
DATE FOR END OF COMPONENT TEST

2. WOMEN – EQUALITY IN
Sikhs believe women are equal to men. The teachings of all the Guru’s support this ideal. Guru Nanak condemned those that said otherwise. He was constantly berated for having this view as it went against most of the cultures and religions prevalent in India at that time. Basic teachings include:-
Guru Nanaks teaching of ‘there is no Hindu or Muslim … you are all children of God’ include women as equals
The head of every man and woman is therefore God
Guru Amar Das appointed the first women preachers; from the 146 he taught, 52 were women
Guru Amar Das denounced the custom of sati
Infanticide was severely condemned by Guru Amar Das
Every Guru condemned the practice of covering the face

3. Plight of Indian women at Guru Nanak’s time (14th C)
Women were severely degraded and oppressed, they did not receive an education, have any freedom to make decisions and could not take part in religious, social, political and economic affairs
Women were expected to cook, clean, produce children and serve male members of society
Female infanticide was common due to extortionate costs of dowry customs
Sati was encouraged (the practice of throwing themselves on their husbands funeral pyre !)
Women were expected to cover their faces with a veil from anyone unrelated to them, especially males.
Some Indian cultures (eg Mughals) practised polygamy, thereby also undermining the status of women
Some Indian cultures condemned widow re-marriage,
but men were allowed to remarry

4. QUOTATION
Guru Nanak said:“Man is born from a woman; within woman, man is conceived; to a woman a man is engaged and married; man is friends with woman; through woman future generations exist; to a woman a man is bound; so why call her bad? from her, kings are born. from a woman, a woman is born; without woman there would be no one at all” GGS473

5. How is equality with women shown now
Women do not have to cover their faces
The practice of Sati, polygamy and infanticide is outlawed
Women can become priests (Granthi’s) and lead ALL rites of passage in Sikhism
Women can undertake all rituals for the reading & upkeep of the GGS
Women can prepare, cook and serve karah prashad and langer
Women in the Sikh homeland (Punjab) are educated equally
Women are treated as equal partners during a Sikh marriage service
Women can become Khalsa (Amritdari) Sikhs
Women can work in any sector/profession they wish to
Women can achieve Jeevan Mukhti like anyone else
Women can re-marry
Women do not have to provide a dowry to their in-laws upon marriage
Famous Sikh women in history Maharani Jindan (last queen of Punjab), Mata Khivi (Amar Das’ wife), Sahib Kaur (Gobind Singhs wife) ……

6. Issues regarding equality in society today
Despite all the Sikh teachings on the equality of women many still believe that true equality has not been achieved … yet
Women are still discriminated in the workplace – eg pay
Women in many households still undertake most roles in the home
Only a couple of women have become the Head of the Sikh Takhts (thrones of authority – 5 key places in the Punjab)
Sikh women in the Indian Army are not allowed on the battlefield
In many diaspora countries (UK, US, Canada) men and women sit on separate sides in the main diwan hall in a Gurdwara to pray. (In India they actually sit anywhere there is a space!)
Many of the diaspora countries with 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation Sikhs face the same issues as the whole general public of which they are members too i.e fewer women in top roles in the private sector, educational differences, discrimination in the workplace, promotion, sexism … etc

7. Practice question (AO2 15 marks)
“Everyone should be equal in Sikhism” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer)

8. NIHANGS

9. Nihangs : Who are they? Nihang is a Persian word meaning crocodile.
Nihangs were suicide squads of the Mughal army and wore mostly blue uniforms.
The Sikhs took the name and colour of uniform
Nihangs constitute an order of Sikhs who do not fear death, they are always ready for martyrdom – ready to die for the faith!
They are uninterested in worldly possessions only SEWA
They wear blue/yellow/orange robes and have bare legs from the knee down, and many have steel discs (weapon) on their turbans
They are Khalsa (Amritdari) Sikhs

10. They carry spears, swords, daggers and shields and belong to a martial tradition begun by Guru Gobind Singh called GATHKA.
During times of persecution the Nihangs defended Sikh shrines and the Sikh way of life. They see their role as an act of worship ie SEWA
They are known for their bravery against all odds, they are baptised.
Nowadays they go to festivals, staging displays of horsemanship and martial skills.
The annual Hola Mohalla (a festival to showcase military poweress) and Vaisakhi are especially notable for the Nihangs' colourful displays of pageantry.

11. Using the Nihangs in an exam Question
Use the Nihangs in any question to do with the contribution of Guru Gobind Singh to Sikhi.
Use them in question on sewa or worship – Nihangs see their job as sewa and as an act of worship
Use them in a question on diversity of views among baptised Khalsa Sikhs and non-baptised Khalsa Sikhs
(eg. “Nihang Sikhs are very strict Khalsa Sikhs who are baptised, mostly vegetarian, strictly believe in martyrdom, uphold justice and protect the Sikh faith over and above any worldly concerns such as money, having a family, getting married and becoming a householder ….”)
For example:
What is the difference between Khalsa and non-Khalsa (sehaj-dhari) Sikhs? 5 marks
How do Sikhs undertake acts of worship? 2 marks
3) ‘It is important to become a Khalsa Sikh’. Discuss 8 marks
4) ‘The concept of martyrdom is the most important in Sikhism’ Discuss 15 marks

12. SAAD SANGAT AS A CENTRE OF SPIRITUALITY

13. CENTRE OF SPIRITUALITY
Sangats (congregations) can be found in all Gurdwaras.
The Golden Temple, Harminder Sahib, in Amritsar India, is the Sikh centre of religious devotion
The Golden Temple was finalised by Guru Arjan (5th Guru)
Despite this Guru Arjan said:
“Of all places, the most sublime place, O Nanak, is that heart in which the Name of the Lord abides”.
Concept of a SADH SANGAT (company of devotees) is now used to mean a ‘Centre of Spirituality’
Basically a Sadh Sangat is a ‘company of devotees’ likeminded and committed, devotees
Every Sikh should seek out their own Sadh Sangat on their quest
to become Gurmukh

14. GURU ARJAN’S ‘CENTRE OF SPIRITUALITY’
Guru Arjan said:-
“If you are entangled in emotional attachment and the veil of humai and maya … by Chanting the Name of the Lord, sorrow is dispelled. If you wish to erase your sorrows … renounce humai in the Sadh Sangat … the supreme person is the one who gives up his egotistical pride in the Company of the Holy”. Ggs 266
Test yourself:-
Humai = ?
Maya = ?
Sadh Sangat = ?

15. Where to use the concept of Sadh Sangat
You can use this concept in any questions to do with :-
Sense of Community
Relationship with Waheguru
Role of a Gurdwara
Becoming Gurmukh
Seeking Jeevan Mukhti/liberaton/salvation
Khalsa Sikhs
Devotion/spirituality/worship/sewa
Test Yourself: How would you bring in Sadh
Sangat in 1/2 of the above points?

16. LIST OF TOPICS IN THIS COMPONENT
Nature of God
Mool Manter
Langer/karah prashad – equality in Gurdwara
Nihangs/gathka
God as Creator
Purpose of Khalsa (formation)/vows
Jeevan mukhti/atma/samsara
Relationship with humans – nirgun/sargun
Differences between Khalsa/non-khalsa sikhs
Karma – liberation & Salvation
3 principles – Naam japna/vand chakna/kirt karni
Gurmukh/Manmukh
Stages of liberation
Guru Nanak stories about God
Guru Amar Das – equality
Equality of women
Martyrdom (5th and 9th Guru)
Gurdwara – worship and GGS
Respect for the GGS
Humai/virtues/vices
5 ks – meaning
Names - Kaur/Singh
Oneness of humanity - equality
Sangat/pangat
Centre of Spirituality – ethical training - sadh sangat
The Guru’s (briefly)
Sewa – types/daswandh

17. Your test for this component of the course (Sikhism: Beliefs) will take place on …….. Revise Everything … It will be 30 minutes long