SIKHS

SIKHS (lit. disciples), a native religious and military community, scattered in large numbers over the Punjab,

The community was founded (1469) by Baber Nanak as a religious monotheistic sect purified from the grosser native superstitions and practices; was organised on a military footing in the 17th century, and in the 18th century acquired a territorial status, ultimately being consolidated in to a powerful military confederacy by Ranjit Singh, who, at the beginning of the 19th century, extended his power over a wider territory. In 1845-46 they crossed their E. boundary, the Sutlej, and invaded English possessions, but were defeated by Gough and Hardinge, and had to cede a considerable portion of their territory; a second war in 1848-49 ended in the annexation of the entire Punjab into British India, since when the Sikhs had been the faithful allies of the English, notably in the Indian Mutiny.

After the independence of India, the Punjab was divided into two parts - one of them became part of Pakistan and the other a part of India. The majority of Sikhs live in the Indian part of Punjab, but they are scattered all over India, and many live abroad.