Does the caste system exist in Sikhism?

Caste is still practiced in the Sikh community, despite Guru Nanak’s calls for treating everyone equally in Sri Granth Sahib. Along with Guru Nanak, other Sikh gurus had also denounced the hierarchy of the caste system, however, they all belonged to the same caste, the Khatris.

How does the caste system work?

The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. The main castes were further divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on their specific occupation. Outside of this Hindu caste system were the achhoots – the Dalits or the untouchables.

What is the caste system in Punjab?

Some prominent castes among Sikhs are Arora, Khatri, Ramgarhia, Jat, Saini, Kamboh, Mahton, Chhimba, Mohyal , Chamar, etc. Each caste has its sphere of influence and specialization. The order of castes given below should not be mistaken for a hierarchy as they have been randomly mentioned one before the other.

What is the caste of Guru Nanak Dev?

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in Talvandi, a place now renamed Nankana Sahib, in the state of Punjab in present-day Pakistan. His parents were Hindus and they were Khatri by caste, which meant that they had a family tradition of account-keeping.

How many castes are there in Sikhism?

Having failed to get the desired response from Rajput rulers after prolonged diplomacy and persuasion, the tenth Guru finally decided to institute a new Order in which each initiated Sikh could play the role of all the four castes .

Is Mallah a low caste?

The Mallah community was recognised as backward caste initially though socially and economically they were much behind the backward castes and were more close to Dalits. Consequently, in 1918 Nishad Mahasabha came into existence, as the largest organisation of the Mallahs and their subcastes.

Consequently, the caste does exist in Sikhism , though in a diluted form than found in the rest of Indian society. But at the outset one thing can be confidently stated which is that there is no clearly defined caste hierarchy in Sikh society, leave alone a vertically ordered one.

How did Sikhism challenge traditional Indian culture such as the caste system?

The Sikhs challenged the view on the caste system with the concept of equality regardless of their genders, caste, class or ethnicity. They also does not promote the idol worshiping of individuals unlike the caste system which gives much importance to the Brahmins. 3. Letter C. Hindus.

Are there castes among the Sikhs?

sikh caste system Some prominent castes among Sikhs are Arora, Khatri, Ramgarhia, Jat, Saini, Kamboh, Mahton, Chhimba, Mohyal, Chamar, etc. Ramgarhia is also a prominent Sikh caste. Aggarwal Baniyas, a reputable vaishya caste of Hindus, also deny any link with them.

Which caste is in the highest caste?

The highest of all the castes, and traditionally priests or teachers, Brahmins make up a small part of the Indian population.