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What is a Sikh?
Sikh (English: [siËk] or [sɪk]; Punjabi: ਸਿੱà¨, sikkh , IPA: ['sɪk.kÊ°]) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. The term has it…s origin in the Sanskrit Åiá¹£ya "disciple, learner" or Åiká¹£a "instruction". [24] [25] It is important to understand that all the symbols that make a fully baptized Sikh's appearance so distinctive are optional to "slow-adopter" Sikhs. These individuals believe in the principles of Sikhism and identify as Sikh but have not yet decided they are ready to make the commitment to become baptized. Some Sikhs may never make this decision in their lifetimes. So while some slow-adopter Sikhs will indeed display some of the most overt signs, such as uncut hair (and consequently turbans for both sexes and beards on men), this is not necessarily the case. The most common symbol of all Sikhs, because of its simplicity, is a steel bracelet, a physical reminder of devotion. The evolution of Sikhs began with the emergence of Guru Nanak as a religious leader and a social reformer during the fifteenth century in Punjab. Their identity was formalised and wielded into uniform practise by Guru Gobind Singh on March 30, 1699. The latter baptised five persons from different social backgrounds to form the social brotherhood of the Khalsa. The first five, Pure Ones, then baptized Gobind Singh into the Khalsa fold. [26] The Sikhs established a nation called Sikh Raj, under Ranjit Singh, in the nineteenth century in which they were preeminent. They were known for their military prowess, administrative capabilities, economic productivity and their adaptability to modern western technology and administration. [27] The Sikhs comprise about two percent of India's billion population. The greater Punjab region is the historic homeland of Sikhism. Most Sikhs are from the Punjabi people and now come from the Punjab region, although significant communities exist around the world. Visit Sikhism.SikhTruth.com to learn more. ( Full Answer )