Introduction / History
History can be cruel! There was a time when the Sikligar Sikhs were extremely successful as weapon designers and manufacturers. They are traditionally known as Lohars (ironsmiths or blacksmiths) and once ruled the weapon making industry with their elaborate swords, spears, shields, and arrows. What is known as Damascus steel, used in forming some of the best swords known to man, was manufactured by Indian Lohars and shipped off to other parts of the world.
The advent of contemporary weaponry hit their economy and lifestyle very hard. They spend most of their time roaming about in small groups, selling small handmade wares such as knives, buckets, toys, and betelnut cutters. They are illiterate and do not own land. Today, most Sikligars are very poor and some are dependent on others’ aid.
History can be cruel! There was a time when the Sikligar Sikhs were extremely successful as weapon designers and manufacturers. They are traditionally known as Lohars (ironsmiths or blacksmiths) and once ruled the weapon making industry with their elaborate swords, spears, shields, and arrows. What is known as Damascus steel, used in forming some of the best swords known to man, was manufactured by Indian Lohars and shipped off to other parts of the world.
The advent of contemporary weaponry hit their economy and lifestyle very hard. They spend most of their time roaming about in small groups, selling small handmade wares such as knives, buckets, toys, and betelnut cutters. They are illiterate and do not own land. Today, most Sikligars are very poor and some are dependent on others’ aid.
What are their beliefs?
They show their devotion to Sikhism by their dress and social customs. For example, they put their newborn children through a special dedication ceremony with relatives and friends gathered. They are some of the most seriously dedicated Sikhs despite the fact that they are routinely despised and overlooked in the provision of aid that is given to other poor classes. Sikligars are said to be some of the happiest, most positive-minded Sikhs.
They show their devotion to Sikhism by their dress and social customs. For example, they put their newborn children through a special dedication ceremony with relatives and friends gathered. They are some of the most seriously dedicated Sikhs despite the fact that they are routinely despised and overlooked in the provision of aid that is given to other poor classes. Sikligars are said to be some of the happiest, most positive-minded Sikhs.
They are living in utter penury and their
profession has lagged behind the machine age. Their pride does not let them to
do service. On top of that, they are illiterate. They don’t own land or homes.
They do not get proper food and clothes. They eat whatever they earn, sometimes
once a day and at the most twice. They don’t have finances to construct
Gurdwaras to keep them associated with Gurughar. These Sikligars who partook
amrit from the Tenth Guru have remained associated with Sikhism, tying turbans
and keeping hair. They also abstain from intoxicants. They follow, to an extent
the Sikh norms but now deprivation is taking them away from Sikhism. Many have
started shearing their hair. Some have joined other faiths. If these are not
attended to in time then Sikhism would lose its big chunk.
Their poverty however, has kept them beyond the
attention of so called Sikh Sardars. Neither any Gurdwaras' Committees nor any
worthwhile Sikh organization has paid any attention to or tried to give them 'a
helping hand'.
No comments:
Post a Comment