Lesson 3: Sikhism in South Asia (Cultures of South and Southwest Asia)
🕉️ Sikhism in South Asia
Sikhism is a religion that began over 500 years ago in South Asia, in the Punjab region (in today’s India and Pakistan). Sikhism teaches peace, equality, and service to others. Many Sikhs have also been brave warriors and leaders in history.
👫 Social Life: Living as a Sikh
Sikhs believe all people are equal—men, women, rich, and poor. In Sikh communities, people live simply and help one another.
🍛 In every Sikh temple, or Gurdwara, there is a Langar—a free kitchen where anyone, from any religion or background, can eat together. It does not matter if you are rich or poor.
📖 Story: One day, a rich man came to a Gurdwara and sat in the Langar. He was surprised to sit next to a poor farmer. He asked, “Why do I sit with him?” A Sikh replied, “Because in God’s eyes, you are the same.”
🏛️ Political Life: Sikh Power in Punjab
In the 1700s and 1800s, the Sikhs became powerful in Punjab. Their leader, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, built a strong Sikh Empire.
🛡️ He protected people from war and unfair taxes. His army included Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims. He respected all religions.
🏰 He helped build schools, roads, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar with gold. Under his rule, Punjab was rich and peaceful.
📖 Story: One British officer said, “Ranjit Singh is the Lion of Punjab. He is strong, but he is kind.”
☪️ Religious Beliefs and Practices
Sikhism started with Guru Nanak in the 1400s. He saw people fighting over religion and wanted peace. He taught that:
There is one God for all
People should be kind, honest, and helpful
All humans are equal
Pray and remember God’s name
Sikhs do not believe in a heaven or hell. Instead, they try to live a good life now.
📿 Sikhs pray every day and go to the Gurdwara. They sing hymns (holy songs) and read the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book).
💡 Intellectual Life: Learning and Teaching
Sikhism values education, truth, and understanding.
📚 The ten Sikh Gurus (teachers) gave wisdom to the people. The last Guru is the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs treat this book with great respect.
👶 Sikhs teach children to read, write, and speak Punjabi and understand the teachings of the Gurus.
🔧 Technology and Growth
During the rule of the Sikh Empire, Ranjit Singh used modern weapons and worked with European experts. He built modern roads, canals, and schools.
Today, Sikh communities around the world use technology to share teachings, music, and prayers online.
💰 Economic Life: Work and Migration
Sikhs are known for hard work and honesty. They became farmers, soldiers, shopkeepers, and teachers.
In the 1800s and 1900s, many Sikhs left Punjab to find work in Canada, the UK, the USA, and East Africa.
🌍 Today, Sikh communities live all around the world. They continue to build businesses, help others, and share their culture.
📖 Story: A Sikh farmer in Canada once said, “We brought seeds from Punjab and planted them in new soil. We grew food—and we grew a life.”