Lesson 10: Culture and Heritage in India – II
This module presents the rich pluralistic heritage of Sikhism, Islam, and Christianity in India. It examines the ten Sikh Gurus, the 5 Takhts, and historic Gurudwaras; the core tenets of Islam, 5 Pillars, and inter-faith Sufi Dargahs (Ziyarat & Urs); and the 2,000-year Christian tradition stemming from St. Thomas in 52 AD through European colonial and indigenous cathedral architecture.
Sikhism: Origins, Ten Gurus, Core Doctrines & The 5 Takhts
Guru Nanak Dev, Khalsa Panth, 5 K's, Sangat, Pangat, and Temporal Seats of Authority
Founder & Chronology of Ten Gurus
• Origin: Derived from Sanskrit Shishya (disciple). Founded by Guru Nanak Dev (1469–1539), born at Talwandi (Nankana Sahib). Preached one formless God (Hari/Govind), rejected caste & idol worship via kirtans with Mardanaji (Muslim musician) and Bhai Bala (Hindu peasant).
• Scripture & Lineage: Guru Angad compiled the Adi Granth. Followed by Guru Amardas, Guru Ramdas (founded Amritsar 1577), Guru Arjan Dev (built Golden Temple), Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Harkishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur (martyred 1675 at Chandni Chowk), and Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708).
• Khalsa Panth (1699): Established at Anandpur Sahib. Ordained the 5 K's: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (comb), Kara (iron bracelet), Kachcha (underwear), and Kirpan (dagger).
Social Institutions: Sangat & Pangat
• Sangat: Congregations sitting together to listen to spiritual hymns and discourses.
• Pangat (Langar): Community free kitchen where all individuals sit on the floor in equal rows to eat regardless of caste, creed, gender, or wealth.
• Eternal Guru: Guru Gobind Singh declared Sri Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal living Guru for all times.
The Five Takhts (Seats of Temporal Power)
| Takht Name | Location | Historical & Spiritual Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sri Akal Takht Sahib | Amritsar, Punjab | Founded by 6th Guru, Hargobind Singh Ji; supreme seat of temporal authority opposite Golden Temple. |
| 2. Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib | Anandpur Sahib, Punjab | Birthplace of Khalsa Panth created by Guru Gobind Singh Ji on Baisakhi 1699; site of Holla Mohalla. |
| 3. Takht Sri Damdama Sahib | Talwandi Sabo, Punjab | Seat of repose where Guru Gobind Singh Ji compiled the final complete version of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. |
| 4. Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib | Nanded, Maharashtra | Situated on river Godavari; site where Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent his final days and left for heavenly abode. |
| 5. Takht Sri Patna Sahib | Patna, Bihar | Situated on banks of Ganga; sacred birthplace of the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. |
Prominent Sikh Heritage Gurudwaras Across India
Golden Temple, Delhi Shrines, Hemkund Sahib, Paonta Sahib & Regional Pilgrimages
Land granted by Akbar in 1577 to Guru Ram Das. Completed by Guru Arjan Dev. Maharaja Ranjit Singh gilded the upper half with gold leaf. Surrounded by Amrit Sarovar lake.
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib: Site in Chandni Chowk where 9th Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred in 1675. Bangla Sahib: Iconic shrine with healing sarovar. Rakab Ganj: Cremation site of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Hemkund Sahib (Uttarakhand): Altitude 15,200 ft in Himalayas near Chamoli. Paonta Sahib (HP): On banks of Yamuna in Sirmour. Anandpur Sahib: Famous for Holla Mohalla festival during Holi.
Islam: Core Tenets, Five Pillars & Arrival in Subcontinent
Hazrat Mohammad, Hijrat (622 CE), Four Rightly Guided Caliphs, and Fundamental Duties
Foundation & Chronology
• Meaning: Islam signifies "Peace and Submission". Established by Hazrat Mohammad (570 CE) in Mecca.
• Prophethood & Hijrat: Received divine revelation in 610 AD. Opposed idol worship in Arabia for 13 years. Migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD (Hijrat), marking the start of the Hijri Calendar. Passed away in 632 AD.
• Four Caliphs (Khulafa-e-Rashidun): Succeeded by Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Usman, and Hazrat Ali.
• Arrival in India: Brought first by Arab traders on Malabar coast, followed by Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire.
The Five Pillars of Islam
1. Shahada: Absolute belief in one formless God (Allah) and Prophet Mohammad as His messenger.
2. Namaz (Salat): Offering prayers 5 times daily facing Mecca.
3. Zakat: Mandatory charity/alms given to the poor and needy.
4. Roza (Sawm): Fasting from dawn to sunset during holy month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to holy city of Mecca at least once in a lifetime for those financially able.
• Prohibitions: Avoid intoxicants, pork, and gambling.
Sufi Tradition & Inter-Faith Dargahs as Tourist Attractions
Universal peace, Khanqahs, Ziyarat, Urs celebrations, Qawwali, and major shrines across India
Sufi saints preached universal brotherhood and love. Their hospices (Khanqahs) welcomed all travelers. Their graves developed into Dargahs ("portal/threshold") visited during Ziyarat. The death anniversary (Urs) gives rise to musical offerings of Qawwali and Kafi.
| Sufi Dargah / Shrine | Location | Key Features, Syncretic Festivals & Cultural Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti | Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan | "Garib Nawaz"; world-famous Chishti shrine; annual grand Urs draws millions of international pilgrims. |
| Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya | Delhi | Beloved Chishti saint. Thursday evening Qawwalis; houses tombs of Amir Khusrau, Jahanara, and Barani. |
| Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Offshore landmark in middle of Arabian Sea connected by narrow causeway; grand monthly Milad & Urs. |
| Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki | Mehrauli, Delhi | Venue of Phoolwalon-ki-sair (autumn flower sellers festival) initiated in 1812 by Queen Mumtaz Mahal; national unity symbol. |
| Hazratbal Shrine | Srinagar, J&K | Situated on Dal Lake; only bulbous domed white marble mosque in Kashmir; houses Moi-e-Muqqadas (sacred hair of Prophet). |
| Charar-i-Sharif | Budgam, Kashmir | Tomb of 14th C. Shaikh Nuruddin Rishi (along with Lal Ded/Lalla), depicting syncretic Kashmiri Rishi culture. |
| Shaikh Gesu Daraz (Banda Nawaz) | Gulbarga, Karnataka | Indo-Saracenic architecture with Iranian and Turkish mural paintings; major South Indian Sufi center. |
| Nagore Dargah (Nagore Andavar) | Nagore, Tamil Nadu | Dedicated to Syed Hameed Qadir Vali; 500+ years old with golden dome & 5 minarets; famous for 14-day Kandhuri Urs. |
| Hazrat Sabir Kaliyari | Roorkee, Uttarakhand | 800-year-old shrine of Sabir Saheb revered deeply by both Hindu and Muslim devotees. |
Christianity in India: Apostolic Origins & Heritage Churches
St. Thomas (52 AD), Portuguese Goa Missions, British Colonial Architecture & Unique Regional Shrines
• Arrival in India (52 AD): St. Thomas (one of 12 Apostles) landed at Muziris (Kodungallur, Kerala) in 52 AD, establishing the 7 original churches (St. Thomas Christians). Martyred at St. Thomas Mount, Chennai.
• Portuguese Era (16th C.): St. Francis Xavier (1506–1552) converted large coastal populations. Emperor Akbar permitted Christian missions in North India.
| Church / Heritage Site | Location | Architectural & Historic Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Basilica of Bom Jesus | Old Goa | Built 1605 (UNESCO World Heritage); holds uncorrupted body of St. Francis Xavier; 10-year public exposition. |
| Se Cathedral & St. Cajetan | Old Goa | "Rome of the East"; St. Cajetan modeled on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome; contains Cross of Miracles. |
| St. Thomas Mount & San Thome | Chennai, TN | Burial site of St. Thomas; stone cross bled periodically (1558–1704); 16th C. Basilica with stained glass. |
| St. Thomas Church | Kodungallur, Kerala | First Catholic Indian church established by St. Thomas Apostle in 52 AD. |
| Sardhana Church | Meerut, UP | Built by Begum Samru (converted Catholic ruler); UNESCO recognized heritage site; annual March/Nov pilgrimage. |
| St. James (Skinner's) Church | Delhi (Kashmiri Gate) | Built 1836 by Col. James Skinner; Renaissance style with octagonal dome and stained glass. |
| St. John's in the Wilderness | McLeod Ganj, HP | Built 1852 in dense deodar forest; famous neo-Gothic stone church. |
| Solomon's Temple | Aizawl, Mizoram | Built by Kohhran Thianghlim (Dr. L.B. Salio); 32,400 sq ft; shaped like a cross from aerial view. |
| Presbyterian Church | Ross Island, Andaman | Stone structure with Burma teak frames and Italian etched stained glass. |