Sikhism

Sikhism (Punjabi: ?????) is a religion based on the teachings of ten Gurus who lived primarily in 16th and 17th century India. It is one of the world's major religions. Sikhism comes from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from its Sanskrit root ?i?ya (?????) which means "disciple" or "learner".

Sikhs around the world

A Sikh known as Yogi Bhajan brought the Sikh way of life to many young people in the Western hemisphere. In addition to Indian-born Sikhs, there are now thousands of individuals of Western origin who were not born as Sikhs, but have embraced the Sikh way of life and live and teach all over the world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the late 1970s and 1980s a limited political separatist movement arose in India with the mission to create a separate Sikh state, called Khalistan, in the Punjab area of India and Pakistan.

Related Topics:
1970s - 1980s - Khalistan - Pakistan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Currently, there are about 23 million Sikhs in the world, making it the fifth largest world religion. Approximately 19 million Sikhs live in India with the majority living in the state of Punjab ('greater Punjab' extends across the India-Pakistan border but few Sikhs remained in Pakistan due to persecution during the split of India in 1947). Large populations of Sikhs can be found in the United Kingdom, Canada, and USA. They also comprise a significant minority in Malaysia and Singapore, where they are respected for their drive and high education standards, as they dominate the legal profession.

Related Topics:
1947 - United Kingdom - Canada - USA - Malaysia - Singapore

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Following the Indian general election, 2004, Dr Manmohan Singh has become the first Sikh Prime Minister of India. He is also the first non-Hindu Prime Minister of India.

Related Topics:
Indian general election, 2004 - Manmohan Singh - Prime Minister of India

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sikhs comprise a large proportion of the Indian Armed Forces. In 2005, the first Sikh General of the Indian Army was designated. Also they have a major presence in the Transport Industry in India.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~