The Sikhs, the Disciples of the Gurus

From the fertile plains of the Punjab, the land of five rivers, come the Sikhs, followers of one of the world’s major religions and one of the most distinctive communities of India. Recognisable by their turbans and uncut hair, known for their martial and agrarian traditions and their ethos of equality and service, they are a people whose faith, founded by Guru Nanak five centuries ago, has shaped a proud history and a far-flung global diaspora.

Heirs to the teachings of ten Gurus, to the scripture they revere as the eternal Guru, to the Khalsa and the Golden Temple, and to the memory of a powerful empire, the Sikhs combine deep devotion with the vibrant culture of the Punjab. This article traces their origins, faith, language, homeland, society, and traditions, and the remarkable story of the disciples of the Gurus.