We wish to share with our fellow citizens of Australia and other countries that Guru Nanak Sahib (1469-1539) was the Founder of Sikh Religion. His torch of Spiritual & Temporal wisdom was carried forward by his nine successors from 1539 to 1708 CE. Guru Nanak Sahib traveled a lot from his Birthplace Talwandi known as “Nankana Sahib” (now in Pakistan) to Assam, Kashmir, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. He also visited all the places of religious significance to Hindus, Yogis, Muslims, Buddhists and Jains. He covered his preaching journeys in thousands miles on foot to disseminate his spiritual message. He shared the Divine Knowledge with the Rulers and Priests of other religions that we all are children of the same Almighty God, should live in harmony as brothers & sisters. His teachings together with other enlightened Successors and Devotees are enshrined in the “Guru Granth Sahib” – the only Universal Scripture, which is considered as an everlasting Guru of the Sikhs and is installed daily in all the Sikh Gurduaras - (Congregation Halls).

In continuation of Guru Nanak Sahib’s Mission, Guru Arjan Sahib was subsequently entrusted spiritual responsibility for further propagating the Sikh Way of Truthful Living from First September 1581. After completing the construction of Amritsar Pool, foundation stone for building - the “Darbaar Sahib” was laid down by a Muslim Pir, Sain Mian Mir. Thereafter, Guru Sahib compiled the sacred Scripture, the Granth Sahib, which was installed there on 16th August 1604. Since it contained Universal message of love, peace, dignity, equality, mutual respect and truthful living without exploitation of others, a number of people belonging to Hindu, Islam and other adherents started coming to hear teachings of Guru Sahib. The Muslim Rulers and the Hindu Priests did not like the sudden growth of Sikh religion because they wanted to continue suppressing the masses for their own vested interest. Guru Sahib opined: “Accept death first as inevitable, and abandon the hope of life. Be humble and then come for learning the Divine Knowledge”. (Guru Granth Sahib – P 1102)

Under the false pretexts, Guru Arjan Sahib was imprisonment and tortured so that the followers of Sikh religion could be discouraged from joining this new Faith. Guru Arjan Sahib was thus martyred on 30th May 1606 in Lahore under the orders of then Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Guru Sahib sacrificed his life by accepting the Sweet-Will of the True Lord. However, subsequent developments changed the circumstances and a great need was felt that despite peaceful resistance, Sikh followers should ever remain ready not only to defend themselves but also to protect the poor masses.

Thereafter, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib established the Khalsa Order on 30th March 1699 by prescribing the strict Code of Conduct. Since then, Sikhs are required to undergo the “Amrit Initiation Ceremony – Khande Dee Pahul”to adopt Sikhism and they have to keep up the Five Articles of Faith (5 K’s) – Kesh (uncut long hair, beard, moustaches), Kangha (wooden comb), Karraa (steel loose bracelet), Kachhehra (Knickers) and Kirpan (sheathed sword in baldric). The Sikhs must believe in the laws of nature and elevate their lives by seeking the Almighty God’s refuge by acquiring Divine Knowledge and God-like virtues. Other beliefs are - to remember God, who alone is Creator, Developer and Sustainer of all; earn livelihood with honest means and hard work; share with the deserving needy persons; lead a family life; respect all persons irrespective of any caste, class, colour, creed, gender, region, religion or status and always perform noble deeds without committing any offence or having any evil design. In view of the same culture & heritage, common Punjabi language, one religious Scripture, Sikhs have acquired the status of Nation though scattered all over the world. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, having total population of “24.989” millions. In view of their unique Sikh Identity and beliefs, Sikhs are neither Hindus and nor Muslims. Worldwide they are known as “SINGHS” donning Turban.

When British, French and Portuguese started ruling India from Calcutta to Madras, Pondicherry, Cochin, Bombay, Goa and Delhi, Sikhs were successful to defeat the mighty Mughal and Afghan forces in Punjab and established their Rule over the greater Punjab from 1764 to 1849 CE. During Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Rule (1799 to 1839), several Army Officers from Britain, France, Germany, etc. were employed in the Sikh Khalsa Army. However, despite Mutual Friendship Treaty signed on 25 April 1809 at Amritsar, after the demise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, British crossed the River Sutlej border. After several battles, annexed the Sikh State with the connivance of the Hindu traitors - Dogras & Poorbias. But as a result of bravery shown by the Sikh soldiers, British recruited them in a large numbers. The Sikh soldiers remained faithful and fought bravely to protect the British Kingdom. While protecting the Fort of “Saragarhi” in Afghanistan, detachment of the (21) Sikh soldiers of the 4th Sikh Battalion sacrificed their lives on 12th September 1897. Subsequently they were all decorated posthumously with Indian Distinguished Service Medals, the highest Order available to Indian soldiers at that time. The Saragarhi battle is one of the eight stories of collective bravery published by UNESCO.

During the First & Second World Wars, Sikh soldiers fought bravely under the Allied Forces in France, Gallipoli-Turkey, England, Greece, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, etc. In these wars, 83,005 Turban-wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world during shellfire, with no other protection but the Turban, the Article of Sikh Faith. In view of their bravery and brilliant disciplined actions, several Sikh soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross. Amongst the followers of other religions, one person is either a soldier or a priest and they wear different dresses, but in Sikhism each person is required to be a soldier as well as a priest as it is the combination of both that leads to perfection in human beings. Such a Sikh is called as “Khalsa or Sant-Sipahi, the Saint-Soldier”.

Unfortunately, while granting Independence to India and Pakistan on 15th August 1947, the Britain Rulers did not accord Independent State of Punjab to the brave Sikh nation. The Hindu Governments in India continue to suppress them as Army attack on “Darbaar Sahib-Akaal Takhi Sahib, Amritsar” in June 1984 and subsequent mass killings of Sikhs are glaring events. Like other Nations, Sikhs also wish to have their own Independent Sikh State of Punjab within the framework of UN Charter. Despite various handicaps and continuous sufferings, Sikhs wish to live in Peace with dignity. All over the world, Sikhs twice a day pray to God for the wellbeing of all where there is no victor or victim.

Waheguru jee ka Khalsa Waheguru jee kee Fateh

Sikh Khalsa Mission Inc. (NSW): ; 30th May 2006