The Gaddi Nashin, alternatively spelt as Gaddi Nasheen, is a term to refer to a leader in various Sikh sects,

Ravidassia Ravidassia or the Ravidas Panth is an Indian religion based on the teachings of Ravidass, who is revered as a satguru. Historically, Ravidassia represented a range of beliefs in the Indian subcontinent, with some devotees of Ravidass counting th ...

, and also Sufi groups.

Etymology

The

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

origin term ''Gaddi Nashin'', composite of ''gaddi'' meaning ''seat'' or ''position'' (gaddi) and ''nashin'' (also spelled ''nasheen'') meaning ''holder'' or ''occupier'', means ''the holder or occupier of a certain position''.

Usage

Ravidassia

The term is used for the leader of the Ravidass '' Deras'' in the

religion. The religion's founder Guru

Ravidass Ravidas or Raidas, was an Indian mystic poet-saint of the bhakti movement during the 15th to 16th century CE. Venerated as a ''guru'' (teacher) in the modern regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punj ...

is worshipped as Guru, and the Gaddi Nashin are considered a messenger of God following the Guru (Spiritual Leader). Only one Gaddi Nashin holds the position at a time, as the highest-ranking member of the religion. Below him are a large number of Ravidassia ''Sant Samaj'' who work under the leader, directing and giving instructions relating to affairs and matters of the religion. The current Gaddi Nashin is Niranjan Dass who has been holding that position since 24 November 2007.

Previous holders

*Pipal Dass (1895 to 1928CE) *Sarwan Dass (1928 to 1972) *Hari Dass (1972 to 1982) *Garib Dass (1982 to 1994) *Niranjan Dass (current)

Minas

The

Sodhi Sodhi () are landlord people from Khatri or Kshatriyas clan from the Punjab region. Seven of the Sikh Gurus, from Guru Ram Das to Guru Gobind Singh were of Sodhi surname. In the Bachittar Natak Guru Gobind Singh wrote the origin of Sodhi clan an ...

descendants of the heretical Mina sect of

Sikhism Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit=Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fro ...

in Guru Harsahai use the title of ''Gaddi Nashin'' for themselves and maintain a guruship lineage originating from

Prithi Chand Prithi Chand (Gurmukhi: ਪ੍ਰਿਥੀ ਚੰਦ; 1558–April 1618) was the eldest son of Guru Ram Das – the fourth Guru of Sikhism, and the eldest brother of Guru Arjan – the fifth Guru.mahant Mahant () is a religious superior, in particular the chief of a temple or the head of a monastery in Indian religions. James Mallinson, one of the few westerners to be named as a mahant, describes the position of a mahant as a combination of a ...

'', there are some Udasi groups who employ the term Gaddi Nashin instead. The

Udasi Udasi (Gurmukhi: ਉਦਾਸੀ ਸੰਪਰਦਾ; ''udāsī saparadā'') is a religious sect of ascetic ''sadhus'' centred in northern India. Becoming custodians of Sikh shrines in the 18th century, they were notable interpreters and spreade ...

mahant leaders of the Sadh Belo complex in Sindh use the term to refer to their seat of leadership. The ''gaddi nashin'' holder shifted to India following the 1947 partition of India. Many other Udasi groups in Sindh also employ the term gaddi nashin.

Sufis

In Sufism Gaddi Nasheen is also used and it also refers as Trustee and is the successor of a Sufi or Pir and in some instances descendant of a disciple of a Sufi. The Gaddi looks after the shrine and carries out significant rituals in the Dargah and are responsible in looking after the Mazaar Sharif (mausoleum). A trustee is a key person who held and leads the traditional Sufi rituals in Dargah's daily activities and particularly during Urs—(death anniversary). There are many well known Gaddi Nasheens within the Sufiana Darbar's in Punjab.

References

{{Sikhism Ravidassia