Sikhism, founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, emphasizes equality and selfless service. This article explores its historical spread in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi, India Aug 22, 2026 ALN: COMMODORE DS SODHI, NM (Retd)
Sikhism, the fifth largest religion in the world, is a monotheistic faith emphasizing equality, selfless service, and meditation on the divine. The three pillars of Sikhism are:
Sikhism developed from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the nine other Sikh Gurus who succeeded him. The core beliefs and practices of Sikhism include faith and meditation in the name of one creator (Aik Onkar), divine unity, equality, and engagement in selfless service (Sewa), striving for justice for the benefit and prosperity of all (Sarbat Da Bala).
Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Jammu and Kashmir during his third Udaasi, and Pandit Braham Das was the first to embrace the Sikh faith and later preach it. The subsequent Gurus took on the responsibility of spreading Sikhism in the region.
The teachings of Bhai Gadiya, Bhai Madhodas, Mata Bhag Bhari, Bhai Bano, and Bhai Pheroo influenced Hindus in both hilly areas and cities, drawing them closer to Guru Nanak's faith. These preachers also took care of significant historical sites associated with Guru Nanak and Guru Hargobind Sahib, engaging in discussions with learned individuals from other faiths.
After Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Hargobind Sahib and Guru Har Rai Sahib also visited Jammu and Kashmir to preach Nanak's faith. In 1699 AD, Guru Gobind Singh Ji baptized Baba Pheroo with Amrit, naming him Bhai Pheroo Singh. Guru Gobind Singh honored him with the titles Sachi Dari (True Beard) and Sangat Sahib for his pure devotion and honest maintenance of accounts. He was tasked with propagating Sikh philosophy in the north-west mountainous region, including Poonch and Kashmir. Bhai Pheroo set up his Dera (headquarters) in Rajoieay (Hazara) and traveled extensively to Peshawar, Kandhar, Balkh, Chach, Hazara, Pakhli, Attack, Poonch, Muzzafarabad, and Kashmir.
Bhai Pheroo Singh handed over his duties and seat (Gadi) to Bhai Punjab Singh Ji in 1711 AD. Bhai Punjab Singh shifted the headquarters from Rajoieay to Chattar Class in Muzzafarabad. He brought many Hindus closer to Sikh faith, educating them to discard casteism and other superstitions. Bhai Punjab Singh visited Mattan in Kashmir during the Mughal atrocities on Kashmiri Pandits. Towards the later part of his life, he handed over the duty and seat to Bhai Rocha Singh Ji in 1736 AD.
Bhai Rocha Singh, baptized by Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Sabo Talwandi (now Damdama Sahib), was known for carrying weapons and always moved with armed men. He shifted his headquarters from Chattar Klass to Rawalakote during the Afghan control of Kashmir. During this time, Sukhjivanmal brought Sikhs and Brahmans from places like Pakhli, Hazara, Frontier, and Pothohar to Kashmir.
Bhai Rocha Singh fought with Afghan forces at Jambazpura on his way to Kamraz. He performed penance in the jungle of Shialkot, where a beautiful Gurdwara Sahib now commemorates his visit. In 1803 AD, at the age of 115, he handed over his duties to Bhai Mela Singh, who shifted the headquarters from Rawalakote to Nangali Sahib Poonch, traveling widely to Shailkot, Muzzafarabad, Mendhar, and Kashmir.
During Sikh rule, the movement to preach Sikhism gained momentum in Kashmir. Many Hindus who came to Kashmir for trade embraced Sikhism, including several Kashmiri Pandits (Bhai Almat, MadhoDhar, Tarloknath Raina, Giani Raina). After Bhai Mela Singh, several others, including Bhai Manna Singh, Bhai Mangal Singh, Bhai Ratan Singh, Bhai Avtar Singh, and Mahant Manjit Singh (currently), carried out the duty over time. Mahant Manjit Singh, presently at Nangali Sahib, has also focused on education, opening schools and an engineering college in Jammu while spreading the message of Sikh faith.
Sewadars like Bhai Punjab Singh, Bhai Phantoo Singh, and Bhai Tara Singh served from a hilltop in Saantpura Daney in Muzzafarabad. Others, including Sant Gurbakh Singh, also contributed significantly to the duty of preaching Sikhism in the region. Currently, Sant Tejwant Singh, an alumnus of Baba Jhujhar Singh Gurmat Missionary Kendra Ropar Punjab, is actively engaged in spreading the message of Sikhism in Jammu.
In 1931, Sant Gurdit Singh opened a school in Village Danna Muzzafarabad, which locals have since upgraded to a college while maintaining its name. Sant Tejwant Singh also runs a higher secondary school named Sant Gurbaksh Singh Danna International School and a school for underprivileged children named Sant Bhai Kushal Singh Gurmat Vidyalaye Kendra Madbagh. He travels internationally to spread the message of Sikhism.
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