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Jat Sikh

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Jatt Sikh is a sub-group of the Sikh ethnoreligious group from the Indian subcontinent. They form at least half[1][2] of the Sikh population in Punjab, with some sources estimating them to be about 60%[2][3] to 66%[4] of the Sikh population.

History

Jatt-Sikhs are mostly descended from Jat-Hindus[5][6] and some from Jat-Muslims.[citation needed]

In 1931 Census the Jatt Sikhs formed 50% of the entire Sikh Population.

Jatts started to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak in small numbers and this grew after[7][8] the formation of the Khalsa. They converted en masse to Sikhism from the time of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, fifth Sikh Guru upto the time of Banda Singh Bahadur,[9] and formed the vanguard of Sikh resistance against the Mughal Empire from the 18th century onwards. Note that controversial research[10] by W H Mcleod based on the Martial Race theories states that Jatts started joining Sikhism in large numbers during the period of the 6th Guru Hargorbind.[11]

At least 7 of the 12 Sikh Misls (Sikh confederacies) were led by Jatt-Sikhs.

Jatt Sikh Demographics of 1881

  • Amritsar District 151,107
  • Ferozepur District 136,154
  • Jalandhar District 56,407
  • Ludhiana District 102,447
  • Lahore District 79,783
  • Sialkot District 26,067
  • Gurdaspur District 46,079
  • Gujranwala District 16,849
  • Patiala Princely State 265,001

Influence of Sikhism on Jatts

In 1928, Major A.E. Barstow, who commanded the Sikh Regiment, wrote that Jat Sikhs (as well as Sikhs in general) appeared to possess more of a martial streak than their non-Sikh brethren. The reason for this was summed up by Major A.E. Barstow as being due to the influence of Sikhism:[12]

"As has already been explained the virtues of the Jats are identical with those of the Sikhs, but the latter possess in a higher degree the ardent military spirit which had its origin in the warlike precepts of Gobind Singh."[12]

Dr. Irfan Habib, Professor Emeritus, Aligarh Muslim University, argues that Sikhism did a lot to uplift[13] the status of Jatts in general.The late Professor Kishan Singh[14] states

“A serious contradiction afflicts the Jat farmer of the Punjab. He has unflinching faith in Guru Gobind Singh, yet at the same time he is inbued with traits typical of a Jat. There are two sides to the Jat’s known traits. One has a positive effect in the sense that it saves him from feeling inferior; and the other side is negative. It makes him overbearing and arrogant which is a disease. A jat’s negative traits can be suppressed only through the true spirit of Sikhism.”

Army Recruits

Jatt Sikhs, according to Major A.E. Barstow,[15] were very good soldiers due to the influence of Sikhism,[16] and possessed more of a martial quality than their non-Sikh Jat brethren. Barstow further comments, that due to their diet and their fondness for wrestling (something encouraged and taught by Guru Angad[17][18] to the Sikh people) and weightlifting, they possessed good physical attributes for soldiery. According to R. W. Falcon, Jatt Sikhs (alongside other Sikhs) were seen as a good source for recruitment.[19] According to Captain A. H. Bingley they were particularly loyal soldiers.[20]

The Jatt Sikh community has constituted an important source of recruits for the Indian Army.[21]

Agriculture

In Punjab (India), Jatt Sikhs are associated with agricultural pursuits[22][23] and land ownership. They own more than 80%,[3] and possibly as much as 95%[24] of available agricultural land in Punjab. They often reside in the rural areas, and are economically influential in the state.[3]

In 1931 Census, they owned 67% of land, In Lahore District.

Personalities

See also

References

  1. ^ Martha Crenshaw (1995). Terrorism in context. Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 978-0-271-01015-1.
  2. ^ a b E. Marty, Martin (1991). "Chaper 10". Fundamentalisms observed. The University of Chicago Press. p. 623. ISBN 0-226-50878-1. Retrieved 2 April 2010. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c Taylor, S., Singh, M., Booth, D. (2007) Migration, development and inequality: Eastern Punjabi transnationalism. School of Social Sciences and Law, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK; Department of Sociology, Punjab University, Chandigarh, India.
  4. ^ Puri, H. K. (2003) The Scheduled Castes in the Sikh Community – A Historical Perspective. Economic & Political Weekly (28 June 2003); Dalits in Regional Context (2004).
  5. ^ The transformation of Sikh society‎ – Page 92 by Ethne K. Marenco – The gazetteer also describes the relation of the Jat Sikhs to the Jat Hindus ...to 2019 in 1911 is attributed to the conversion of Jat Hindus to Sikhism. ...
  6. ^ Social philosophy and social transformation of Sikhs‎ by R. N. Singh (PhD) Page 130 – The decrease of Jat Hindus from 16843 in 1881 to 2019 in 1911 is attributed to the conversion of Jat Hindus to Sikhism. ...
  7. ^ The Sikh Revolution By Jagjit Singh ISBN 81-88306-00-2 page 205 onwards
  8. ^ Perspectives on Sikh Studies and The Development of Sikh Militarisation by Jagjit Singh Page 92 onwards courtesy http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/per-sikh-studies.pdf
  9. ^ J S Grewal (1 October 2002). Sikh history from Persian sources: translations of major texts. England: Tulika (1 Oct 2002). p. 157. ISBN 81-85229-17-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  10. ^ Ishwinder Singh (February 2004). "The Mcleod Controversy". Sikh Spectrum. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  11. ^ "The Jats have long been distinguished by their martial traditions and by the custom of retaining their hair uncut. The influence of these traditions evidently operated prior to the formal inauguration of the Khalsa. title='Who is a Sikh?: the problem of Sikh identity' author='W.H. McLeod'
  12. ^ a b Barstow, A.E., (Major, 2/11th Sikh Regiment-Late 15th Ludhiana Sikhs), The Sikhs: An Ethnology (revised at the request of the Government of India), reprinted by B.R. Publishing Corporation, Delhi, India, 1985, p. 155, first published in 1928.
  13. ^ "Sikhism uplifted the social status of Jat community of Punjab says Irfan Habib". Punjabheritage.org. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  14. ^ "WSN-Op-Ed-The Malaise of Jat Consciousness". Worldsikhnews.com. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  15. ^ Barstow, A.E., (Major, 2/11th Sikh Regiment-Late 15th Ludhiana Sikhs), The Sikhs: An Ethnology (revised at the request of the Government of India), reprinted by B.R. Publishing Corporation, Delhi, India, 1985, pp. 62–63, first published in 1928.
  16. ^ Barstow, A.E., (Major, 2/11th Sikh Regiment-Late 15th Ludhiana Sikhs), The Sikhs: An Ethnology (revised at the request of the Government of India), reprinted by B.R. Publishing Corporation, Delhi, India, 1985, pp. 155, first published in 1928.
  17. ^ Prithi Pal Singh (30 September 2007). The History of Sikh Gurus [Paperback]. UK: Lotus Book. p. 184. ISBN 81-8382-075-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  18. ^ "Guru Angad Dev – Profile of Angad Dev – Second Sikh Guru". Sikhism.about.com. 17 February 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  19. ^ Falcon, R.W. (Captain, 4th Sikh Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force), Handbook on Sikhs: for the use of Regimental Officers, Printed at the Pioneer Press, Allahabad, India, 1896, pp. 64–65.
  20. ^ Bingley, A.H. (Captain, 7th-Duke of Connaught's own Bengal Infantry, Handbook for the Indian Army: Sikhs, Compiled under the orders of the Government of India, Printed at the Government Central Printing Office, Simla, India, 1899, pp. 90–91, 11, 92.
  21. ^ Tan Tai Yong (2005). The Garrison State: The Military, Government, and Society in Colonial Punjab, 1849–1947. SAGE Publications. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-7619-3336-6. OCLC 57043090.
  22. ^ Leaf, Murray J. (1972). "8". Information and behavior in a Sikh village: social organization reconsidered. University of California. p. 219. ISBN 0-520-02115-0. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  23. ^ Singh, Jasbir (2006). "4". Agricultural geography (3rd ed.). Tata Mcgraw-Hill. p. 176. ISBN 0-07-053228-1. Retrieved 9 May 2010. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Ratan Saldi (6 June 2009). "Caste System Among Sikhs In Punjab". Asian Tribune.
  25. ^ Multiple sources:
    Sir Lepel Griffin, Punjab Chiefs, Vol. 1, p 219 "...and from Sansi the Sindhanwalias and the Sansis have a common descent. The Sansis were the theivish and degraded tribe [sic] and the house of Sindhanwalia naturally feeling ashamed of its Sansi name invented a romantic story to account for it. But the relationship between the nobles and the beggars, does not seem the less certain and if history of Maharaja Ranjit Singh is attentively considered it will appear that much his policy and many of his actions had the true Sansi complexion"
    The Sansis of Punjab; a Gypsy and De-notified Tribe of Rajput Origin, Maharaja Ranjit Singh: The Most Glorious Sansi, p 13, by Sher Singh, 1965, Original from the University of Michigan
    Tribalism in India, p 160, by Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, Edition: illustrated, Published by Vikas, 1978, Original from the University of Michigan
    Sociological Bulletin, p 97, by Indian Sociological Society, Published by Indian Sociological Society, 1952
    Indian Librarian edited by Sant Ram Bhatia, p 220, 1964. Item notes: v.19–21 1964–67, Original from the University of Michigan
    The Sikhs in History, p 92, by Sangat Singh, Edition: 2, Published by S. Singh, 1995, Original from the University of Michigan
    Some Aspects of State and Society Under Ranjit Singh, p 5 By Fauja Singh, Published by Master Publishers, 1981, Original from the University of Michigan
    Preminder Singh Sandhawalia (1999). Noblemen and Kinsmen History of a Sikh Family: History of a Sikh Family. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. ISBN 81-215-0914-9
    Jean-Marie Lafont, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lord of the Five Rivers. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002).

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