GLOSSARY
Adi Granth- Or Guru Granth Sahib. Holy scriptures containing the writings of six Gurus, Twelve non-Sikhs, several bards from the court of Guru Arjan and three other Sikhs, Satta, Balwand and Mardana. It means 'First collection or compilation'. It is seen as the incarnation of Guru Gobind Singh and is treated with the most profound respect
Akal Purakh- God
Akhal Takht- 'The throne of the timeless one' built facing the Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar representing temporal power in the Panth
Akhand path- Unbroken reading of the Guru Granth Sahib
Amrit- 'Nectar of immortality'.Holy liquid consisting of water and sugar
Amrit-Dhari- 'Those who have taken amrit' and are members of the khalsa
Amrit Sanskar-Khalsa initiation
Ardas- Set prayer at the end of worship
Arora- A trade caste of the Punjab, small scale in comparison with Khatris
Baisakhi- (or Vaisakhi) April 13th, the start of the new year. It is the only fixed festival in Sikhism
Bichola- Matchmaker. A relative who makes inquiries concerning possible spouses for a marriageable daughter or son
Chakra- Circle found on the Sikh emblem meaning 'God is one' and that Sikhs are inseparably united with Him through the faith. It represents the infiniteness of God because there is no beginning or end
Chamar- Leather-worker caste
Chauri- Fan waved over the scriptures, it is made of yak hairs or nylon
Chuhra- Sweeper caste
Dasam Granth- 'The book of the tenth', collection of works many by Guru Gobind Singh
Dharam Khand- Religious duty
Divali- Festival of light
Gian Khand- Knowledge
Got- Sub-caste with Zat being caste
Gurbani- Word of God through the scriptures
Gurdwara- Meaning 'The Guru's door' or 'God's house' it is a temple and place of worship
Gurmukhi- Literally meaning 'From the Guru's mouth' it is written Punjabi
Guru- 'The venerable one'. Holy man, spiritual instructor
Guru Granth Sahib- See 'Adi Granth'
Harimandir Sahib- Meaning the 'House of the Lord' it is The Golden Temple located in Amritsar
Hola Mohalla- meaning 'Attack' and 'Place of attack'. First celebrated in 1700 when armies engaged in mock battles
Ik Onkar- Two Punjabi letters meaning 'God is the one being'. This is a Sikh term with 'Om' being the Hindu equivalent
Janam-Sakhi- 'Birth evidences', source of anecdotes traditionally used to gather information about the Gurus
Jat- Rural caste who are numerically dominant amongst Sikhs (about 60% of the Panth), made of farmers, land workers and peasants. They settled in Northern India in the 11th century. They tend to retain the name 'Singh' or 'Kaur' at the end of a name. They made excellent warriors as they faced harsh conditions on the land and as the Punjab was crossed by invaders many times, they had to learn how to defend themselves
Jiva- Soul
Kach- One of the 5K's. Trousers representing alertness, agility and chastity
Kangha- One of the 5K's.Comb, a symbol of cleanliness and inner purity
Kara- One of the 5K's. Steel bracelet worn on right wrist which shows bondage to God and the Khalsa
Karah Prasad- Sacred food given to everyone in the Gurdwara. It is made of flour, water, sugar and butter
Karam Khand- Grace
Kaur- 'Princess'
Kes- One of the 5K's. Long hair symbolizing strength, virility and saintliness
Kes-Dhari- Sikhs who keep uncut hair but are not initiated in the Khalsa
Khalistan- 'Land of the Pure', the name adopted by supporters of an independent homeland for the Sikhs
Khalsa- 'Pure' or 'Dedicated
Khanda- The name of the Sikh emblem. Double-edged sword found on the Sikh emblem symbolizing that Sikhs are prepared to fight for the truth
Khande di pahul- Khalsa initiation
Khatri- A trade caste of the Punjab, large scale in comparison with Aroras. They form around 2-3% of the Panth but have a large influence
Kirpan- One of the 5K's. Small sword found on the Sikh emblem symbolizing the courage to defend the faith and the poor and the spiritual and earthly powers that the Gurus had. There are two on the Sikh emblem, one represents spirtual power and the other political power
Kirtan- Singing of hymns
Kshatriya- Warrior caste of Hinduism
Kurahit- Four cardinal infringements of the Rahit. They are Cutting one's hair, consuming meat killed in the Muslim style, Extra-marital sexual intercourse and smoking
Langar- 'Free kitchen', it is open to anyone
Mazhabi- The Sikh section of the Chuhra caste, an outcaste Sikh
Miri- Worldly role held by the Gurus (See also Piri)
Misl- Independant Sikh armies of which there were 12, each commanded by a Sardar
Mona- Shaven. Mona Sikh sometimes designates a Sikh who cuts his/her hair
Mughals- Muslim dynasty of India founded in 1526 against whom the Sikhs fought many battles to resist oppression
Nadar- Grace
Nihangs- Great Sikh warriors of the 18th century, set-up by Guru Gobind Singh
Nishan Sahib- The Khalsa flag, saffron in colour
Panj Piare- 'The five beloved ones'. Five companions of Guru Gobind Singh who helped found the Khalsa
Panth- The Sikh community
Patit-Sikhs- 'Fallen Sikhs' who have violated their vows
Path- A reading from the Sikh scriptures
Piri- Spiritual role held by the Gurus (See also Miri)
Punjab- Meaning 'Land of five rivers'. Area of India where Sikhism originated
Purdah- Custom of keeping women and men apart. Opposed by Guru Amar Das
Rahit- The code of belief and conduct of the Khalsa
Raj Karega Khalsa- Battle cry meaning 'The Khalsa shall rule'
Rajput- Warrior caste, close links with Jats
Ramdasia- The Sikh section of the Chamar caste, an outcaste Sikh
Ramgarhia- A Sikh artisan class, predominantly drawn from the tarkhan caste, but also including Sikhs from the blacksmith, mason and barber castes. It is the only totally Sikh caste. They make up less than 10% of the Panth, but are second to jats in size. Its beginnings can be traced to Ram Singh (1816-85) who wanted a purer Khalsa and gained followers from the tarkhan caste and from Jats which grew into the Ramgarhia caste. It was named after a fort called Ram Rauni which defended Amritsar.
Romalla- Silk cloth used to cover the Guru Granth Sahib
Rumal- Handerkerchief used to cover the head at the Gurdwara
Sach Khand- Truth
Sahaj-Dhari- 'Slow adapters' who do not accept the Khalsa. Mainly Aroras and Khatris
Sangat- Congregation
Sardar- Used today as a title for a Sikh who retains uncut hair. It used to mean 'Chieftain'
Sat Sri Akal- Greeting literally meaning 'the truth and God are eternal'
Saram Khand- Effort
Seva- Service
Shabad- Hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib
Shudra- Cultivator caste
Sikh- Literally meaning 'Disciple'
Singh- 'Lion'
Singh Sabha- Reformists who thought that Sikhism was too similar to Hinduism and made changes which exist today
Tarkhan- Carpenter caste
Takht- Throne on which the Guru Granth Sahib rests
Varna- Classical Hindu caste system, it means 'colour'
Waheguru- Means 'Lord of Wonder'
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh- Literally meaning 'The Khalsa belong to God and God's truth will always prevail' or 'Hail to the Guru's Khalsa! Hail the Guru's victory!'
