Jathedar

A jathedar (Punjabi: ਜੱਥੇਦਾਰ) is a leader of high regard chosen to head and ensure discipline within a jatha, a troop of Sikhs. In modern-times, the term is used to in-reference to leaders of Sikh spiritual organisations, such as any of the Panj Takhts.

History

During the early-to-mid 18th century, the term was used to refer to a leader of a Jatha. However, it began to be replaced by titles, such as Sardar, due to Afghan influence from the mid-18th century onwards. The terms "jatha" and "jathedar" were revived during the Singh Sabha Movement to refer to "bands of preachers and choirs", an association which survives until the present-day. However, during the later Gurdwara Reform Movement, the terms began to take on a martial tone once again, resuscitating and harking back to the 18th century's context for the word.

Jathedars of the Akal Takht

  1. Gurdas Bhalla (c. 1606–c. 1637)

    Usurped by Minas from 1640 to 1698

  2. Mani Singh (c. 1699–c. 1737)  Executed
  3. Darbara Singh (c. 1722–1734)
  4. Kapur Singh Virk (1733–1748)
  5. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1748–1783)
  6. Phula Singh (c. 1800–1823)  †
  7. Hanuman Singh (1823–1846)  †
  8. Prahlad Singh (1846–1865)  †

    Usurped by Sarbarahs appointed by the British Indian Government from 1859 to 1920

  9. Teja Singh Bhuchar (1920–1921)  X
  10. Teja Singh Akarpuri (1921–1923) & (1926–1930)
  11. Udham Singh Nagoke (1923–1924) & (1926-short period)
  12. Acchar Singh (1924–1926) & (1955–1962)
  13. Didar Singh (1925-short period)
  14. Jawaher Singh Mattu Bhaike (1926-short period)
  15. Gurmukh Singh Musafir (1931–1934)
  16. Wasakha Singh Dadehar (1934)
  17. Mohan Singh Nagoke (1935–1952)
  18. Partap Singh (1938–1948) (1952–1954)  X
  19. Mohan Singh Tur (1962–1963)
  20. Sadhu Singh Bhaura (1964–1980)
  21. Kirpal Singh (1963–1965) (1983–1986)
  22. Gurdial Singh Ajnoha (1980–1982)
  23. Jasbir Singh Rode (1986–1989)
  24. Gurdev Singh Kaunke (1986–1993)  Executed
  25. Gurbachan Singh Manochahal (1986–1987)  †
  26. Darshan Singh (1986–1988) (1986–1988) (1989–1990)
  27. Manjit Singh (1994–1997)
  28. Ranjit Singh (1994–1999)
  29. Puran Singh (1999–2000)
  30. Joginder Singh Vedanti (2000–2008)
  31. Gurbachan Singh (2008–2018)
  32. Jagtar Singh Hawara (2015–Incumbent)
  33. Dhian Singh Mand (2015–Incumbent)
  34. Harpreet Singh (2018–2023)
  35. Raghbir Singh (2023–2025)
  36. Kuldeep Singh Gargaj (2025–Incumbent)

Jathedars of Takht Kesgarh Sahib

Jathedars of Takht Damdama Sahib

Jathedars of Takht Patna Sahib

Jathedars of Takht Hazur Sahib

Jathedars of Damdami Taksal

Jathedars of Budha Dal

Jathedars of Tarna Dal

Jathedars of Bidhi Chand Dal

References

  1. ↑ Nabha, Kahn Singh (30 December 2014). Guru Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh. Patiala: Panjabi University. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Singh, Harbans. The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol. 2: E-L. Punjabi University, Patiala. pp. 362–3.
  3. ↑ Journal of Government and Political Studies. Department of Political Science, Punjabi University. 1989. p. 23.
  4. ↑ Journal of Government and Political Studies. Department of Political Science, Punjabi University. 1989. p. 23.
  5. ↑ "Nandgarh installed Jathedar". The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab. 6 January 2003. Archived from the original on 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  6. ↑ Rambani, Vishal; Nagpal, Atul (2017-04-21). "Giani Gurmukh Singh removed as Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar; he hits back". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  7. ↑ "Takhat Sahiban Jathedar". Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee www.dsgmc.in. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  8. ↑ "Court reinstates Takht Patna Sahib former Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh". Tribuneindia News Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  9. ↑ "Ranjit Singh is Takht Patna Sahib jathedar". Tribuneindia News Service. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  10. ↑ "Amid opposition, Giani Ranjit Singh reinstated as Takht Patna Sahib jathedar". Hindustan Times. 2022-11-19. Archived from the original on 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2022-11-21.