Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
Hi All, please allow me to give a little insight to “Singh”. Singh is not a surname, rather is it a title used by Sikhs to indicate they are members of that religion. Sikhism is a monotheistic faith started in India, more specifically Punjab around 500 years ago. The Sikhs believe in 10 gurus or prophets who expound a faith of egalitarianism, maintaining a house-holders life, truthful living, and meditation on god’s name. In 1699, the 10th and last guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, made the title “Singh” and “Kaur” and intrinsic part of the faith. As followers of various caste background followed the faith, the “Singh” and “Kaur” title were used to create cohesion and brotherhood amongst the Sikh community, who previously were divided on caste lines. “Singh” means “lion” and this name is no doubt an emulation of the title used by the warrior-aristocratic Rajput clans of India. The “Singh” was an army created to uphold justice in a time of need, as the Islamic rulers of India were at that time extremely corrupt and this force was required to protect the innocent citizens.
The warrior traditions amongst Sikhs continued to show, as they were largely recruited by British forces in their regiments. The Sikhs fought alongside the British in their Imperial Army in World War 1 and World War 2. Nearly 100,000 Sikh soldiers gave their lives in trenches for Western Democracy and Freedom.
The Sikhs, who were usually former soldiers settled in former British colonies – UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, etc. Some of the Sikhs who traveled to the US married native women. As the Sikhs stood out being turbaned, they were largely the victims of prejudice.
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/SSEAL/echoes/toc.html
http://www.punjabonline.com/immigration/index.html
Best Wishes,
Sunny Singh.
Notify Administrator about this message?
Followups:
|
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/singh/messages/24.html | ||
 |
Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|