Sikh is a the term applied to a religious community of which the Punjab, in north-western India, is the principal seat. Their founder, Nanak, was born in 1469 near Labore and died in 1539. To him succeeded, in turn, nine pontiffs, each of whom, like himself, is popularly denominated guru, or teacher. The aim of Nanak was religious and humanitarian and designed to combine Hindus and Mohammedans into one brotherhood. His three immediate successors held themselves aloof from political complications. Govind, the tenth of the teachers, resolved to combat both the Mohammedan power and the Mohammedan religion and for that reason instituted the worship of steel and book (sword and Bible). In what measure he was a man of thought is evinced by his legacy to his coreligionists, the second volume of the Sikh scriptures, which teaches that a Sikh should worship one God, observe morality, and practice the use of arms.
In the early 19th century Rangit Singh built up a powerful Sikh monarchy which became a threatening neighbor to the British. After his death (1839) the British engaged in the First Sikh War (1845-46), in which their forces were led to victory by Sir Hugh Gough and which secured to the East India Company the possession of a great portion of the Sikh territory. The Second Sikh War (1848-49) terminated in the submission of the Sikhs and was followed by the annexation of the Punjab to British India. During World War 1 Sikh troops fought with grat distinction, winning several coveted medals for bravery, including the V.C.
