Did you know that Sikhism is the fifth major religion? Sikh Religion has 25 million followers mainly in Pakistan and India in the area named Punjab. They have large community in US and Canada.
Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak , the faith’s first guru, of the nine Sikh gurus who succeeded him.
Sikhs believe there is only one God
Sikhs believe there is only one God, they believe there should be unity and equality of all humankind, they want justice for the benefit of all and they are against the cast system in India. Sikhism rejects claims that any particular religious tradition has a monopoly on Absolute Truth.
The religion developed and evolved in times of religious persecution, gaining converts from both Hinduism and Islam. Mughal rulers of India tortured and executed two of the Sikh gurus after they refused to convert to Islam.
Guru Nanak summarized this perspective as: “Truth is the highest virtue, but higher still is truthful living.” Sikhism lays emphasis on “From the one light, the entire universe welled up.”
Sikhism does not have priests and is against any type of hair removal, gambling, alcohol, drugs and adultery.
Who was the Maharaja Ranjit Singh?
Did you know that the founder of the Sikh Empire was voted the greatest leader in world history in a poll by BBC World Histories Magazine ?
Let me explain.
He was called the lion of Punjab for his bravery and is respected as one of the most revered heroes in the Indian history.
He suffered with smallpox that left him blind in an eye, he managed to raise from an unknown person to a founder of a large Empire in the Punjab area, which is in current Pakistan and India. His empire had just 20% Sikhs and lasted for almost 50 years. He fought next to his father at the age of 10 against the Afghans.
His fame started to rise at the age of 17
His fame started to rise at the age of 17 and at the age of 22 he took Amritsar.
Maharaja Rangit Singh introduced reforms, modernisation, investment into infrastructure and general prosperity to Punjab and he modernized the Khalsa Army.
He created a a period of Sikh cultural and artistic renaissance, and he has rebuilt the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar and other gurdwaras.
Singh is remembered for uniting Sikhs and founding the prosperous Sikh Empire and for his conquests and building a strong Khalsa army to protect the empire. He amassed considerable wealth, including gaining the possession of the Koh-i-Noor diamond from Afghans. His best general was Hari Singh Nalwa.
The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum – Maharaja Ranjit Singh special (tribuneindia.com)
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