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Sikhism in India
Most of India’s 20 million Sikhs live in the Punjab and Delhi area and are distinguished by their smoothly wrapped tubans. Sikhism in India follows a philosophy founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539), who introduced Islamic elements into Hinduism. He promoted a single god, equality of men and women, and opposed caste, ritual, superstition and sex discrimination. Nine more gurus consolidated Nanak’s teachings. The tenth formalised the religion in 1699 to include baptism and forbid tobacco-smoking, and insisted upon the five kakkars: kesh (uncut hair), kangha (comb), kasha (shorts), kara (steel bracelet) and kirpan (sword). The Sikhs’ sacred text is the Guru Granth Sahib, their holy city is Amritsar. |
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