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Sikhism: An Introduction
Almost from the moment, some five centuries ago, that their religion was founded in the Punjab by Guru Nanak, Sikhs have enjoyed a distinctive identity. This sense of difference, forged during Sikhism's fierce struggles with the Mughal Empire, is still symbolised by the 'Five Ks' ('panj kakar', in Punjabi), those articles of faith to which all baptised Sikhs uncut hair bound in a turban; comb; special undergarment; iron bracelet and dagger (or kirpan) - the unique marks of the Sikh military fraternity (the word Sikh means 'disciple' in Punjabi). Yet for all its ongoing attachment to the religious symbols that have helped set it apart from neighbouring faiths in South Asia, Sikhism amounts to far more than just signs or externals. Now the world's fifth largest religion, with a significant diaspora especially in Britain and North America, this remarkable monotheistic tradition commands the allegiance of 25 million people, and is a global phenomenon. In her balanced appraisal, Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh reviews the history, theology and worship of a community poised between reconciling its hereditary creeds and certainties with the fast-paced pressures of modernity.
She outlines and explains the core Sikh beliefs, and explores the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus in Sikhism's Holy Scriptures, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (more usually called just the 'Granth'). Further chapters explore Sikh ethics, art and architecture, and matters of gender and the place of women in the tradition. The book attractively combines the warm empathy of a Sikh with the objective insights and acute perspectives of a prominent scholar of religion.
She outlines and explains the core Sikh beliefs, and explores the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus in Sikhism's Holy Scriptures, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (more usually called just the 'Granth'). Further chapters explore Sikh ethics, art and architecture, and matters of gender and the place of women in the tradition. The book attractively combines the warm empathy of a Sikh with the objective insights and acute perspectives of a prominent scholar of religion.
- GenresReligion
290 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 1, 2025
India in the 15th century was a time of change. Babur, the first Mughal emperor, was beginning his (often violent) conquest of India. Muslims and Hindus in India had a complex relationship, sometimes antagonistic and sometimes syncretic. Caste divided Indian society, and women were subject to oppressive practices, such as sati, where women would commit suicide rather than become widows, and purdah, where women would confine or separate themselves from the view of men. It was during this time that Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, was born in 1469. Guru Nanak was radically egalitarian, criticizing caste, gender discrimination, and religious intolerance.
Nanak attacked the division and inequality of the caste system. He taught that there is a singular Divine Reality (“The utterly transcendent is intimately within. Since the formless One informs each and every form, everybody is equal; every person has the same ontological status.”)The divine spark is present in all—women and men, rich and poor, Muslims and Hindus. The Guruship was transferred to a total of 10 Gurus, until it was finally transferred to the Sikh scripture itself, the Guru Granth Sahib. These Gurus faced intense religious persecution, and some Gurus were killed. Despite this, they maintained their religious commitments. Guru Tegh Bahadur, for example, fought to protect religious freedom for Hindus and was martyred for it.
The last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, inaugurated the Khalsa, the Sikh community, in 1699 and introduced the 5 K’s of Sikhi, or five articles of faith. These include Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden comb), Kara (a steel bracelet worn on the wrist), Kachera (cotton undergarments symbolizing self-restraint and chastity), and the Kirpan (a small sword). Sikhs are also committed to selfless service (Seva) and the langar, a community kitchen dedicated to serving free food to all, regardless of caste or religion.
It was super interesting to read about Sikhi, and I will definitely be reading more in the future. However, I’m giving this book 3 stars. There were just a lot of dry parts, like long descriptions of Sikh art, which is great, but I don’t want to just read about art—I want to see it and then maybe read about it. Also, I felt like the book extended beyond being an introduction. At times, the author was applying psychoanalysis to Sikh metaphysics, and while that’s fine, it’s way above my pay grade. Stick to the basics!
Quotes
“Guru Gobind Singh spoke to them: ‘I wish you all to embrace one creed and follow one path, rising above all differences of religion as now practiced. Let the four Hindu castes, who have different duties laid down for them in their scriptures, abandon them altogether, and adopting the way of mutual help and cooperation, mix freely with one another. Do not follow the old scriptures.’”
“The food served at langar is vegetarian. Both men and women, irrespective of race, caste or religion, involve themselves in one task or another – chopping vegetables, kneading dough, rolling it out and fluffing it, and cleaning utensils. And without any consideration of caste or rank, they sit in rows and partake of the meal.”
“Female inferiority is dismissed: ‘How can we call her inferior from whom kings are born?’ asks Guru Nanak poignantly (GG: 473).”
Nanak attacked the division and inequality of the caste system. He taught that there is a singular Divine Reality (“The utterly transcendent is intimately within. Since the formless One informs each and every form, everybody is equal; every person has the same ontological status.”)The divine spark is present in all—women and men, rich and poor, Muslims and Hindus. The Guruship was transferred to a total of 10 Gurus, until it was finally transferred to the Sikh scripture itself, the Guru Granth Sahib. These Gurus faced intense religious persecution, and some Gurus were killed. Despite this, they maintained their religious commitments. Guru Tegh Bahadur, for example, fought to protect religious freedom for Hindus and was martyred for it.
The last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, inaugurated the Khalsa, the Sikh community, in 1699 and introduced the 5 K’s of Sikhi, or five articles of faith. These include Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden comb), Kara (a steel bracelet worn on the wrist), Kachera (cotton undergarments symbolizing self-restraint and chastity), and the Kirpan (a small sword). Sikhs are also committed to selfless service (Seva) and the langar, a community kitchen dedicated to serving free food to all, regardless of caste or religion.
It was super interesting to read about Sikhi, and I will definitely be reading more in the future. However, I’m giving this book 3 stars. There were just a lot of dry parts, like long descriptions of Sikh art, which is great, but I don’t want to just read about art—I want to see it and then maybe read about it. Also, I felt like the book extended beyond being an introduction. At times, the author was applying psychoanalysis to Sikh metaphysics, and while that’s fine, it’s way above my pay grade. Stick to the basics!
Quotes
“Guru Gobind Singh spoke to them: ‘I wish you all to embrace one creed and follow one path, rising above all differences of religion as now practiced. Let the four Hindu castes, who have different duties laid down for them in their scriptures, abandon them altogether, and adopting the way of mutual help and cooperation, mix freely with one another. Do not follow the old scriptures.’”
“The food served at langar is vegetarian. Both men and women, irrespective of race, caste or religion, involve themselves in one task or another – chopping vegetables, kneading dough, rolling it out and fluffing it, and cleaning utensils. And without any consideration of caste or rank, they sit in rows and partake of the meal.”
“Female inferiority is dismissed: ‘How can we call her inferior from whom kings are born?’ asks Guru Nanak poignantly (GG: 473).”
October 14, 2025
A very enlightening introduction to the religion, particularly for those of us of Sikh heritage raised in the West.
January 7, 2018
Quite an enlightening read about Sikhism. Miss Singh goes into detail not only about the history of the religion but also spends a chapter discussing the metaphysics, ethics and esthetics in depth, as well as another chapter looking at the various practices and rituals of the religion. She then turns her gaze to how it can be, and how it has been, interpreted in light of feminism, and how Sikh's can embrace this again. She then spends a detailed chapter of Sikh art, something quite interesting given the aniconic status of the religion. Finally, she turns to discuss the Sikh diaspora and how the history of it and how Sikh's worldwide are adapting to their new locations outside the Punjab.
Overall this is a very enlightening read, and a very good introduction to all aspects of the religion. Miss Singh doesn't gloss over the negatives of it, often talking about oppression within the religion and how daughters are often treated horribly, but she does offer solutions to these problems harkening back to the words of the Gurus. Overall, an amazing introduction to the religion.
Overall this is a very enlightening read, and a very good introduction to all aspects of the religion. Miss Singh doesn't gloss over the negatives of it, often talking about oppression within the religion and how daughters are often treated horribly, but she does offer solutions to these problems harkening back to the words of the Gurus. Overall, an amazing introduction to the religion.
January 2, 2016
This book opened my eyes to the beauty of the Sikh world. It explained in simple detail the origins of the Sikh faith, as well as all the other who, what, why and where's. I would recommend it for anyone who has a Sikh friend and wants to understand the beautiful history of their friend's cultural background.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews