Abstract
The article discusses the evolution of models of the Sikh territorial device. Five stages in the development of forms of territorial organization of the Sikh community, since its foundation in the 16th and to the fall of the Sikh Empire in the mid 19th are highlighted. The author defi nes distinctive features and characteristic traits for each stage. The factors making decisive impact on development of models of the territorial device are traced.
It is noted that at the first stage, the beginning – middle of the 16th century, there is the emergence of the fi rst local Sikh communities united by the institution of a joint meal of Langar and communal prayer of Kirtan.
At the second stage, the middle of the 16th century – 1699, Sikh territorial communities are formed based on Manji system which became not only religious, but also territorial and fi scal units. Religious centers were created; cities and fortresses crucial in the Sikhs’ struggle against the empire of Great Mongols were under construction.
At the third stage, 1699–1748, the cardinal transformation of the Sikh community took place. The Manji system was eliminated and the military fellowship of Khalsa was created. At this stage, the Sikhs developed the ideas associated with the state organization about the perfect territorial system of the Sikh community.
At the fourth stage, 1748–1799, military and territorial communities appeared – Misals. They transformed into independent principalities over time and establish control over the most part of Punjab.
The fifth stage, 1799–1849, represents the highest form of development of the territorial organization of Sikhs. At this time the independent Sikh state, rapidly developed from the territorial power to the regional empire, was created.
In new conditions, the Sikhs were united by means of two organizational forms – within the traditional religious communities of sangat, and administrative-territorial structures of the Sikh Empire.
Keywords
Sikhs, Punjab, Khalsa, territorial organisation, Sarkar Khalsaji
Aitchison, C.U. (comp.) 1931: A Collection of Treaties 1931: A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads Relating to India and Neighboring Countries. In: C.U. Aitchison (ed.), Vol. I. The Treaties and Relating to the Punjab States and Delhi. Calcutta.
Cunningham, J.D. 1849: A History of the Sikhs. From the Origin of the Nation to the Battles of the Sutlej. London.
Demichev, K.A. 2015: Reformatorskaya deiatel’nost’ desiatogo guru Gobinda Singkha v kontekste zaversheniya militarizatsii sikkhskoy obshchiny [The tenth Guru Gobind Singh reform efforts in the context of the conclusion of the militarization of the Sikh Community]. Problemy istorii, filologii, kul’tury [Journal of Historical, Philological and Cultural Studies] 4, 148–155.
Gordon, J.J. 1904: The Sikhs. Edinburgh–London.
Grewal, J.S. 2003: The Sikhs of the Punjab. The new Cambridge History of India. Vol. II. Pt 3. Cambridge.
Gupta, H.R. 1939: History of the Sikhs: Evolution of Sikh confederacies. Calcutta.
Habib, I., Greval, J.S. (eds. and trans.) 2001: Sikhs History from Persian Sources. Delhi.
Khilnani, N.M. 1972: British power in the Punjab. 1839–-1858. Bombay.
Kochnev, V.I. 1961: Pendzhab v period misaley i obrazovanie gosudarstva sikkhov [Punjab in the period of Misals and formation of the state of Sikhs]. Indiiskiy etnografi cheskiy sbornik [Indian ethnographic collection] 65, 5–44.
Kohli Surinder Singh. 1993. The Sikhs and Sikhism. New Delhi.
McGregor, W.L. 1846: The History of the Sikhs; Containing Lives of the Gooroos; The History of the independent Sirdars, or Missuls, the Live of the Great Founder of the Sikh Monarchy, Maharajah Runjeet Singh. Vol. I. London.
Prem Sumarag 2006: Prem Sumarag: The Treatise of a Sanatan Sikh. New Delhi.
Prinsep, H.T. 1834: Origin of the Sikh Power in the Punjab and political life of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. With an account of the Religion, Laws and Customs of the Sikh. Calcutta.
Rose, H.A. 1919: A glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. Vol. I. Lahore.
Semenova, N.I. 1957: Dvizhenie sikkhov v Pendzhabe v pervoy polovine XVIII v. i obrazovanie sikkhskikh kniazhestv [The movement of Sikhs in Punjab in the fi rst half of the 18th and formation of Sikh principalities]. Kratkie soobshcheniya Instituta vostokovedeniya [Brief reports of the Institute of Oriental studies] XXIII, 55–68.
Singh Kartar. 1968: Life of Guru Gobind Singh. Ludhiana.
Singh Kartar. 1992: Stories from Sikh History. Book VI. (Banda Sinah Bahadur & Rise of the Sikhs). New Delhi.
Singh Teja, Singh Ganda. 2006: A Short History of the Sikhs. Vol. I. Patiala.
Steinbach, H. 1846: The Punjab: Being a Brief Account of the Country of the Sikhs; Its Extent, History, Commerce, Productions, Government, Manufactures, Laws, Religions, Etc. London.
Uspenskaia, E.N., Kotin, I.Iu. 2007: Sikkhizm [Sikhism]. Saint Petersburg.
Vanina, E.Iu. 1997: Rastsvet i padenie imperii Velikikh Mogolov [Blossoming and falling of the Great Moguls Empire]. Voprosy istorii [Questions of history] 12, 20–33.