Ravidassia or the Ravidas
Panth Panth (also panthan, meaning "path" in Sanskrit) is the term used for several religious traditions in India. A panth is founded by a guru or an acharya, and is often led by scholars or senior practitioners of the tradition.
Some of the major pant ...
is an
Indian religion
Indian religions, sometimes also termed Dharmic religions or Indic religions, are the religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent. These religions, which include Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism,Adams, C. J."Classification of ...
based on the teachings of
Ravidas
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 ...
s, who is revered as a
satguru
''Satguru'' ( sa, सत्गुरु), or ''sadguru'' ( sa, सद्गुरु), means the 'true guru' in Sanskrit. The term is distinguished from other forms of gurus, such as musical instructors, scriptural teachers, parents, and so on ...
.
[
Historically, Ravidassia represented a range of beliefs in the ]Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
, with some devotees of Ravidass counting themselves as Ravidassia, but first formed in the early 20th-century in colonial British India
The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance on the Indian subcontinent. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one ...
.[Paramjit Judge (2014), Mapping Social Exclusion in India: Caste, Religion and Borderlands, Cambridge University Press, , pages 179-182] The Ravidassia tradition began to take on more cohesion following 1947, and the establishment of successful Ravidassia tradition in the diaspora. Estimates range between two to five million for the total number of Ravidassias.
Ravidassias believe that Ravidas is their Guru
Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverential ...
(saint) whereas the Sikhs have traditionally considered him one of many bhagats (holy person), a lower position to Guru
Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverential ...
in 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 ...
. Further, Ravidassias accept living sants
Sants is a neighbourhood in the southern part of Barcelona. It belongs to the district of Sants-Montjuïc and is bordered by the districts of Eixample to the northeast, Les Corts to the northwest, and by the municipality of l'Hospitalet de Llobr ...
of Ravidass Deras as ''Guru'' A new Ravidassia religion was launched following an assassination attack on their visiting living Guru Niranjan Dass and his deputy Ramanand Dass
, Title = Sant Of Ravidassia Religion
, Period = 1973-74 to 2009
, ordination =
, post = Sant
, birth_date =
, birth_place = Alawalpur
, death_date =
, death_place ...
in 2009 in Vienna by Sikh militants.[ Ramanand Dass died from the attack, Niranjan Dass survived his injuries, while over a dozen attendees at the temple were also injured.][Inflamed passions]
Ajoy A Mahaprashasta (2009), Frontline (The Hindu), Volume 26, Issue 12, Quote: "The riots were sparked off by an attack on Sant Niranjan Dass, the head of the Jalandhar-based Dera Sachkhand, and his deputy Rama Nand on May 24 at the Shri Guru Ravidass Gurdwara in Vienna where they had gone to attend a religious function. A group of Sikhs militants armed with firearms and swords attacked them at the gurdwara, injuring both; Rama Nand later died. The Austrian police said the attack that left some 15 others injured “had clearly been planned”." This triggered a decisive break of the Ravidassia group from the orthodox Sikh structure.
Prior to their break from Sikhism, the Dera Bhallan revered and recited the Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib ( pa, ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ) is the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign and Guru Maneyo Granth, eternal Guru following the lineage of the Sikh gur ...
of Sikhism in Dera Bhallan.[ However, following their split from mainstream Sikhism, the Dera Bhallan compiled their own holy book based exclusively on Ravidas's teachings, the '']Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji
''Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji'' is the holy book of the Ravidassia religion.
History
''Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji'' was compiled and edited by Ramanand Dass of Dera Sach Khand. The holy book's completion was announced by the Sant Samaj and by De ...
'', and these Dera Bhallan Ravidassia temples now use this book in place of the Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib ( pa, ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ) is the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign and Guru Maneyo Granth, eternal Guru following the lineage of the Sikh gur ...
.
Basis
Ravidas was born on 15 January 1377 CE ( Indian calendar Sunday Sukhal Falgin Parvithta 1433) to the Chamar
Chamar is a Dalit community classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of affirmative action. Historically subject to untouchability, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of castes known as varna ...
community.
His birthplace was a locality known as Seer Govardhan in the city of Varanasi
Varanasi (; ; also Banaras or Benares (; ), and Kashi.) is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world.
*
*
*
* The city has a syncretic t ...
, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...
state, India. The birthplace is now marked by the Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan
Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India is the ultimate place of pilgrimage or religious headquarters for followers of the Ravidasi religion from communities like Ad-Dharmis, Ramdasia Sikhs, ...
( Begampura), and is a major place of pilgrimage for the followers of Guru Ravidas today. Ravidassias believe that Ravidas died in Benares at the age of 151.
Beliefs
Ravidas taught the following principles:
* The oneness, omnipresence and omnipotence of God.
* मन चंगा तो कठौती में गंगा.
* The human soul is a particle of God.
* The rejection of the notion that God cannot be met by lower castes.
* To realize God, which is the goal of human life, man should concentrate on God during all rituals of life.
* The only way of meeting with God (moksha
''Moksha'' (; sa, मोक्ष, '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'' and ''mukti'', is a term in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, enlightenment, liberation, and release. In its soteriologic ...
) is to free the mind from duality.
Places of worship
A Ravidassia place of worship is called a ''dera
Dera, Dero, Daro, Dhoro, Dahar or Dehra is a word in several languages of South Asia, whose meaning is ' camp', 'mound' or 'settlement'. It appears in the names of a number of places.
Geography India
* Dera, Himachal Pradesh
* Dera Bassi, Moha ...
'', ''sabha'', ''mandir'', ''gurudwara
A gurdwara (sometimes written as gurudwara) (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ''guradu'ārā'', meaning "Door to the Guru") is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs. Sikhs also refer to gurdwaras as ''Gurdwara Sahib''. People from all faiths ...
'', or ''bhawan'', sometimes translated as ''temple''. It is considered respectful towards Guru Ravidas and generally mandatory to cover one's head and take off one's shoes when entering the place of worship.
Outside the sabha there is always a flag upon which is written the Nishaan
Harr Nishaan (हरि/ਹਰਿ) or Nishaan Sahib is an official copyrighted symbol of the Ravidassia religion. The Harr nishan is found atop the Ravidassias Bhawans or on the flag, every year the Harr Nishaan is changed on the auspicious day ...
, and above it the "Harr" symbol which symbolising enlightenment from Guru Ravidas' teachings. But Guru Ravidass Sabhas Derby, Walsall, Gravesend, Montreal and Papakura are exceptions, as these Sabhas' official title boards display Ek Onkar and Khanda emblems alongside Harr. The title boards of these sabhas clearly mark the buildings as both Sikh Gurdwaras and Ravidass Temples. Moreover, Derby Sabha's display board mentions it as a Sikh temple
Langar Langar may refer to:
Community eating
*Langar (Sikhism)
* Langar (Sufism)
Places
Afghanistan
*Langar, Badakhshan, Afghanistan
* Langar, Bamyan, Afghanistan
* Langar, Faryab, Afghanistan
* Langar, Herat, Afghanistan
* Langar, Wardak, Afghanis ...
takes place inside the sabha continuously as a practice, and all are free to partake of it.
Scriptures
Ravidassia places of worship contain the holy book ''Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji'' which contains all the hymns by Guru Ravidas. This book contains the following hymns: Raga – Siri (1), Gauri (5), Asa (6), Gujari (1), Sorath (7), Dhanasari (3), Jaitsari (1), Suhi (3), Bilaval (2), Gaund (2), Ramkali (1), Maru (2), Kedara (1), Bhairau (1), Basant (1), and Malhar (3). The book contains 140 shabads, 40 pade, and 231 salok. There are 177 pages in all of the book.
A version of the holy book ''Amrit Bani'' containing 240 hymns of Guru Ravidas was installed at the Guru Ravidas temple in Jalandhar
Jalandhar is the third most-populous city in the Indian state of Punjab and the largest city in Doaba region. Jalandhar lies alongside the Grand Trunk Road and is a well-connected rail and road junction. Jalandhar is northwest of the state ...
, Punjab, on 1 February 2012 on the occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass. The Dera Sach Khand Ballan religious community had announced the formation of the new Ravidassia religion and separation from Sikhism at Varanasi. The split from Sikhism was triggered after the killing of its deputy head Ramanand Dass
, Title = Sant Of Ravidassia Religion
, Period = 1973-74 to 2009
, ordination =
, post = Sant
, birth_date =
, birth_place = Alawalpur
, death_date =
, death_place ...
in May 2009 at a temple in Vienna
en, Viennese
, iso_code = AT-9
, registration_plate = W
, postal_code_type = Postal code
, postal_code =
, timezone = CET
, utc_offset = +1
, timezone_DST ...
by some Sikh radicals.
President of newly formed Begumpura Lok Party and a supporter of the new religion, Satish Bharti, said that the copies of the new Bani were put on display during the religious processions in order to assert that the community members are firm believers of the new religion.
Ravidassia in the UK Census
In Britain, during the 2011 Census, the Office for National Statistics counted Ravidassia as a separate religion from Sikhism. There were 11058 individuals who claimed themselves Ravidassia in the census, out of around 100,000 strongholds in the Ravidassia community. Data shows that around 10% of members of Ravidassias community cited their religion as ’Ravidassia’ – empathically distinct from Sikhs and Hindus. During the census, not even a single Guru Ravidass Gurdwara came into direct support of this separate identity, and till date, all Guru Ravidass Gurdwaras in Britain are practising Sikhism and they do pray and perform all rituals in the presence of Shri Guru Granth Sahib.
Contrary to Britain’s Office for National Statistics, the Indian government and its census department have not accepted the Ravidassias community as a religion. During the 2011 census, the Ravidassia community was counted alongside other synonymous such as Ramdasia Sikh and Jatav under the title of chamar caste.
Customs
The Ravidassia employ the greeting "ਜੈ ਗੁਰੂਦੇਵ" (''Jai Gurdev, जय गुरुदेव''), meaning “hail the god-like teacher”, the motto of the religion.
Symbols
The Ravidassia religious symbol is known as the Harr Nishaan ("sign of God"). The Gurmukhi
Gurmukhī ( pa, ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ, , Shahmukhi: ) is an abugida developed from the Laṇḍā scripts, standardized and used by the second Sikh guru, Guru Angad (1504–1552). It is used by Punjabi Sikhs to write the language, commonly ...
transliteration of the name Harr is the main symbol of the Ravidassia religion. It is also called as ''Koumi Nishan''.
The religion is also represented by a flag, with the insignia "Har" which, states Ronki Ram, includes:
* A bigger circle with 40 rays of sunlight signifying forty hymns of Guru Ravidas;
* Inside the big circle is a small circle, inside which is written "Har" in Gurmukhi language (ਹਰਿ) with a flame on top of it;
* The flame represents the ''Naam'' (word) that would illuminate the entire world, and reaches the outer circle;
* Between the two circles is written a couplet composed by Ravidas: ਨਾਮ ਤੇਰੇ ਕਿ ਜੋਤੀ ਲਗਾਈ, ਭੇਈਓ ਓ ਭਵਣ ਸਗਲਈ (''Naam tere kee jot lagayi, Bhaio Ujiaaro Bhawan saglaare'', "Your Name is the flame I light; it has illuminated the entire world")
The insignia Har, states Ram, represents the "very being of Ravidass and his teachings". It is chosen after the name of their Guru, as ''ravi'' means "illumination" and ''dass'' "servant of god".
Sikh Ravidassia
Majority of Ravidasias practicing 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 ...
and having faith in Shri Guru Granth Sahib.This sect of Ravidasias are mainly residing in Malwa
Malwa is a historical region of west-central India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin. Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic upland north of the Vindhya Range. Politically and administratively, it is also syn ...
region of Punjab. Most of the Guru Ravidass Gurdwaras are staunch follower of Shri Guru Granth Sahib and first and oldest shrine on Fiji Island constructed by Ravidassia community is also known as Nasinu Sikh Temple. This Gurdwara was constructed by Ravidasias migrants from Doaba in 1939.
Ravidassia/
Ramdasia
The Ramdasia were historically a Sikh Hindu sub-group that originated from the caste of leather tanners and shoemakers known as Chamar
Terminology
Ramdasia is a term used in general for Sikhs whose ancestors belonged to Chamar caste. Origina ...
and Ad-Dharmi Sects of Punjabi Chamar
Chamar is a Dalit community classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of affirmative action. Historically subject to untouchability, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of castes known as varna ...
Community
"Ramdasia is a term used in general for Sikhs whose ancestors belonged ex untouchables Chamar
Chamar is a Dalit community classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of affirmative action. Historically subject to untouchability, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of castes known as varna ...
caste. Originally they are followers of 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 ...
ji who belongs to Chamar
Chamar is a Dalit community classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of affirmative action. Historically subject to untouchability, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of castes known as varna ...
community ". Both the words Ramdasia and Ravidasia
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 ...
are also used inter changeably while these also have regional context. In Puadh
Puadh ( IAST: uādha sometimes anglicized as Poadh or Powadh) is a historic region in north India that comprises parts of present-day Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and the U.T. of Chandigarh, India. It has the Sutlej rive ...
and Malwa
Malwa is a historical region of west-central India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin. Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic upland north of the Vindhya Range. Politically and administratively, it is also syn ...
, largely Ramdasia in used while Ravidasia
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 ...
is predominantly used in Doaba
Doaba also known as Bist Doab, is the region of Punjab, India that lies between the Beas River and the Sutlej River. People of this region are given the demonym "Doabia". The dialect of Punjabi spoken in Doaba is called "Doabi". Th ...
.
Ramdasia Sikhs are enlisted as scheduled caste by Department of Social justice, Empowerment and Minorities- Government of Punjab. On Department's list of Scheduled Caste, this caste is listed on serial number 9 along with other Chamar
Chamar is a Dalit community classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of affirmative action. Historically subject to untouchability, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of castes known as varna ...
caste synonymous such as Ravidasia
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 ...
, Jatav
Jatav, also known as Jatava/ Jatan/ Jatua/ Jatia, is an Indian social group that are considered to be a part of the Chamar caste, (now often termed Dalit), who are classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of positive discri ...
and so on.
Ad-Dharmis of Chamar
Chamar is a Dalit community classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of affirmative action. Historically subject to untouchability, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of castes known as varna ...
sect are followers of Guru Ravidas
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 ...
, and incorporate elements 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 ...
as they regard Shri Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib ( pa, ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ) is the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign and Guru Maneyo Granth, eternal Guru following the lineage of the Sikh gur ...
as their religious text
Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They differ from literature by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual pr ...
.
Festival
The birthday of Ravidas is celebrated every year at the Seer Gowardhanpur village temple in Varanasi the state of Uttar Pradesh in January or February and the government of India has declared it a gazetted holiday.
Every year more than 1 million devotees from India and abroad visit the Seer Goverdhanpur temple. In India, devotees pour in from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, MP, Bihar, UP and Uttarakhand while foreign devotees from the US, Canada and UK throng the village.
On the day there is a Path of Amritbani Guru Ravidas read, the Harr Nishaan Sahib is changed ceremonially, and there is a special Ravidassia Arti
Arti may refer to:
Companies and organizations
* Arti et Amicitiae, a Dutch artist's society in Amsterdam
* Arti Sacrum, a Dutch artists' society located in Rotterdam, Netherlands
* ''Arti'', an alternative name for the Guilds of Florence
* AR ...
and a Nagar Kirtan procession bearing Shri Guru Ravidas' portrait to the accompaniment of music through the streets of the temple locality.
Special pilgrim trains have been run to and from Varanasi for the last 12 years on the occasion of Parkash Ustav of Guru Ravi Dass. A special train has been run from Jalandhar to Varanasi and back every year on Guru Ravidass Jyanti Purb for the convenience of the pilgrims, since 2000.
Ravidasia Diaspora
Ravidasia Sikh diaspora emigrated from India and Pakistan is significant. There are Ravidasia Sikh settlers in Europe, as well as a sizable Ravidasia Sikh population in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada. Mahiya Ram Mehmi and Mahey were the very first people who landed in British Columbia in 1906. They were both also involved in the foundation of the first Canadian Gurdwara, the Khalsa Diwan Society , Vancouver. There is a sizeable population of Ravidasia Sikhs in Oceania too. Ravidassias from Doaba established the second gurdwara in the Oceania region in Nasinu on Fiji Island in 1939. A Classical Study by W.H. Briggs in his book Punjabis in New Zealand, Briggs penned down the precise number of Ravidassias in New Zealand during the very first wave of immigration.
Today they have presence in every major city of world where they have also established Guru Ravidass Gurdwaras and Sikh Temples.
Notable Ravidassia
Religious figures
* Guru Ravidas
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, Pu ...
, was an Indian mystic poet-saint of the bhakti movement during the 15th to 16th century CE
*
*
* Giani Ditt Singh
Giani Ditt Singh (21 April 1853–1901) was a historian, scholar, poet, editor and an eminent Singh Sabha reformer. Singh wrote over 70 books on Sikhism, the most famous of which is '' Khalsa Akhbar''. His ''Dayanand naal mera Samvaad'' and ' ...
- Co Founder - Singh Sabha Movement , First professor of Punjabi Language.
* Bhai Sangat Singh, was a Sikh warrior and martyred of Battle of Chamkaur.
* Haralayya
Haralayya was a 12th-century Dalit saint and poet of Vachana sahitya in India. He joined Anubhava Mantapa, the hall created by Basava, where every caste was welcome.
History
Haralayya was born in Basavakalyan, Kalyan of Karnataka. He was a C ...
, 11th century Lingayat saint.
* Swami Achootanand, was a poet, critic, dramatist, historian, social reformer, former Arya Samajist and founder of the Adi Hindu movement.
Historical figures
* Avantivarman, was a king who founded the Utpala dynasty
Utpala dynasty was a Kashmiri dynasty which ruled over the Kashmir region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent from 8th to 10th century CE. The kingdom was established by Avanti Varman, ending the rule of Karkota dynasty in 855 CE. ...
. He ruled Kashmir from 855 to 883 CE and built the Avantiswami Temple
The Avantiswami Temple is a Hindu temple located on the banks of the river Jhelum, 28 km away from Srinagar in Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Its complex consisted of two temples, one each for Shiva and Vishnu, which were built under k ...
.
* Sankaravarman, was a Chamar
Chamar is a Dalit community classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of affirmative action. Historically subject to untouchability, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of castes known as varna ...
king of the Utpala dynasty
Utpala dynasty was a Kashmiri dynasty which ruled over the Kashmir region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent from 8th to 10th century CE. The kingdom was established by Avanti Varman, ending the rule of Karkota dynasty in 855 CE. ...
,a Hindu kingdom which ruled over the Kashmir region from 8th to 10th century CE.
* Sugandha, was the Queen of Kashmir in the northern Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
during the 10th century.
* Didda
Didda (1003 CE), also known as ''The Catherine of Kashmir'' was the ruler of Kashmir from 980 CE to 1003 CE. She first acted as regent for her son and various grandsons from 958 CE to 980 CE, and from 980 CE as sole ruler and monarch. Most knowled ...
, also known as ''The Catherine of Kashmir'' and ''The Witch Queen'', was the ruler of Kashmir from 980 CE to 1003 CE.
Revolutionaries and freedom fighters
* Banke Chamar, Freedom Fighter.
* Chetram Jatav, Freedom Fighter.
*Captain Mohan Lal Kureel
Mohan Lal Kureel was a British Indian Army officer who served in The Chamar Regiment and later an Indian National Congress politician in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Life
In 1942, Kureel enlisted with the post of captain in the Br ...
, officer of Chamar Regiment.
* Babu Mangu Ram, known popularly as Babu Mangu Ram Chaudhry, was an Indian freedom fighter
A resistance movement is an organized effort by some portion of the civil population of a country to withstand the legally established government or an occupying power and to disrupt civil order and stability. It may seek to achieve its objectives ...
, a politician from Punjab
Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising a ...
and one of the founder members of the Ghadar Party
The Ghadar Movement was an early 20th century, international political movement founded by expatriate Indians to overthrow British rule in India. The early movement was created by conspirators who lived and worked on the West Coast of the Unite ...
.
Politics
India
* Babu Jagjivan Ram - Former Deputy Prime Minister of India.
* Kanshi Ram - Founder Bahujan Samaj Party and tallest Dalit Leader after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
*Late Chand Ram (politician)
Chaudhary Chand Ram (1923–2015) was an Indian politician and first Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana.
He was member of the 1st & 3rd Punjab Assembly and 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Haryana Assembly of India. He also served as the member of 6th an ...
- Former Member Parliament and Former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana
*Selja Kumari
Selja Kumari (born 24 September 1962) is an Indian politician and former parliamentarian. A member of the Indian National Congress, she has been the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and Tourism in the Government of India during Manmo ...
- Former Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and Tourism in the Government of India.
*Meira Kumar
Meira Kumar (born 31 March 1945) is an Indian politician and former diplomat. A member of the Indian National Congress, she was the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004 to 2009, the Minister of Water Resources for a brief per ...
- Former Indian Diplomat and Speaker of Lok Sabha (2004 to 2009).
*Vijay Sampla
Vijay Sampla (born 6 July 1961) is an Indian politician serving as the Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes since February 2021. He is a former Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in India from 2014 to 2019 ...
- Former Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in the Government of India
* Som Parkash Kainth IAS - Former Bureaucrat and Current Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
*Rattan Lal Kataria
Rattan Lal Kataria is an Indian politician from Haryana. He served as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment till 7 July 2021. He is a member of the 16th Lok Sabha. He got elected to 16 ...
- Union Cabinet Minister, Government of India
*Chaudhary Sadhu Ram
Chaudhary Sadhu Ram (January 1909 – August 1975) was an Indian politician and five-time Member of Parliament.
Early life
Chaudhary Sadhu Ram was born to Jawahar Mal at Domeli, Kapurthala, Punjab. He had studied at Khalsa High School, Domeli ...
(January 1909 – August 1975) - Five-time Member of Parliament from Phillaur Constituency
*Chaudhary Sunder Singh
Chaudhary Sunder Singh is an Indian politician. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India from the Phillaur constituency of Punjab as a member of the Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress ...
- Member Parliament 1980 - 1989 from Phillaur Constituency
*Bhagat Ram
Bhagat Ram is an Indian politician. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India from the Phillaur constituency of Punjab as a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
The Communist Party of Indi ...
- Former Member Parliament Phillaur Constituency
*Harbhajan Lakha
Harbhajan Lakha was an Indian politician. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India from the Phillaur constituency of Punjab
Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panj ...
- Former Member Parliament from Phillaur Lok Sabha constituency
Phillaur was a Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency in Punjab. It was dissolved in 2008 and replaced by Anandpur Sahib.
Members of Parliament
*2009 onwards: Anandpur Sahib
See also
* Phillaur
* List of Constituencies of the Lok Sabha
The L ...
* Satnam Singh Kainth - Former Member Parliament from Phillaur Constituency
* Sukhdev Singh Libra - Former Member Parliament Lok Sabha from Fatehgarh sahib Constituency
*Harchand Singh
Harchand Singh (born 6 May 1916) was an Indian politician and belonged to Indian National Congress.He was elected to the Lok Sabha, lower house of the Parliament of India from Ropar in Punjab
Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜ ...
- Former Member Parliament Lok Sabha
*Santokh Singh Chaudhary
Santokh Singh Chaudhary (born 18 June, 1946) is an Indian politician who is a former Cabinet Minister of Punjab and a member of parliament from Jalandhar (Lok Sabha constituency). He won the 2014 Indian general election and 2019 Indian general e ...
- Current Member Parliament from Jalandhar Constituency
* Amar Singh (Punjab politician)-Former Bureaucrat and Current Member Parliament from Fatehgarh Sahib.
*Navneet Kaur Rana
Navneet Kaur Rana (also known as Navneet Ravi Rana) is a former Indian actress who mainly acted in Telugu cinema. She is an elected Member of Parliament (MP) from Amravati in 2019 Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate.
Film career
...
- Former Actress and Current Member Parliament from Amravati Lok Sabha constituency
* Santosh Chowdhary - Former Member Parliament Lok Sabha
*Shamsher Singh Dullo
Shamsher Singh Dullo, is an Indian politician and former Rajya Sabha M.P.
Early life
Shamsher Singh Dullo was born in Ramdasia Sikh family to Inder Singh Dullo and Satnam Kaur at Khanna, Punjab. He did B.A and LL.B from A.S. College, Khanna a ...
- Former Member Parliament Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
* Harinder Singh Khalsa - Member Parliament and former I.F.S.
* Mohinder Singh Kaypee - Former Member Parliament.
* P. L. Punia IAS - Former Bureaucrat and Former Member Parliament both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
*Sadhu Singh
Sadhu Singh is an Indian academic and politician from Punjab. He was a member of parliament from Faridkot from 2014 to 2019. He is part of the Aam Aadmi Party and is a member of its national executive committee.
Early life and education
Sad ...
- Former Member of parliament from Faridkot from 2014 to 2019
Governors
*Babu Parmanand
Babu Parmanand (10 August 1932 – 24 April 2008 in Jammu) was an Indian politician and the governor of Haryana from 19 June 1999 to 2 July 2004. He was born in Sarore village of the present-day Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir state (now a un ...
- Former Governor of Haryana
* Baby Rani Maurya- Former Governor of Uttarakhand and current Cabinet Minister in Uttar Pradesh Government
Punjab State Politics
* Charanjit Singh Channi- Former Chief Minister of Punjab.
* Lal Chand Kataruchakk - Current Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Forest and Wild Life Preservation, Punjab Government
*Harpal Singh Cheema
Harpal Singh Cheema (born 10 February 1974) is an Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Dirba Assembly constituency located in Sangrur District, Punjab. In March 2022, he became first dalit to be a finance minister of Punjab.
He joined the Aam Aadmi Party ...
- Current Finance Minister, Punjab Government
*Dr. Baljit Kaur - Current Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment & Minorities Social Security and Development of Women and Children
*Late Gopal Singh Khalsa
Gopal Singh Khalsa OBE (born 1903, date of death unknown) was an Indian independence activist and politician.
Life
Khalsa was born in 1903 into Ramdasia Sikh family at a village around Sidhwan Bet area.
He did his schooling from Malwa Khal ...
- Member of Legislative Assembly during British Rule, Secretary SGPC and first Dalit Sikh who did Law graduation from San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton (California) in 1923.
*Late Master Gurbanta Singh - Tallest Dalit leader of Punjab, educator and key person of Ad Dharm movement.
*Late Chaudhary Jagjit Singh
Chaudhary (or Choudhary ; also: Chaudhuri, Choudhuary, Chowdhury) is a hereditary title mainly in South Asia, mainly used by Jats, Gurjar and Bhumihars. Chowdhury (Hindi: चौधरी/चौधुरी/चौधारी; Urdu: چودھری ...
- former MLA of Kartarpur and minister.
*Late Jagat Ram Soondh
Jagat Ram Soondh was a leader of Indian National Congress from Punjab, India. He was a member of Punjab Legislative Assembly and a minister. He was shot dead by militants in 1988.
References
Year of birth missing
1988 deaths
Victims of S ...
- Former Cabinet Minister, Punjab Government
* Chaudhary Surinder Singh- Former M.L.A from Kartarpur Assembly constituency
* Avinash Chander - Former 2 times M.L.A
* Pawan Kumar Tinu - Former 2 times M.L.A
*Des Raj Dhugga
Des Raj Dhugga is an Indian politician and belongs to the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal. He was a member of Punjab Legislative Assembly and represented Sri Hargobindpur.
Family
His father's name is Bhulla Ram.
Political career
Dhugga first bec ...
- Former 2 times M.L.A
*Joginder Pal
Joginder Pal (born 2 April 1964) is an Indian politician and a member of INC. In 2017, he was elected as the member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly from Bhoa. In 2022 assembly election, he lost to Lal Chand Kataruchakk of Aam Aadmi Party by ...
- Former M.L.A Bhoa Assembly constituency
Bhoa Assembly constituency (Sl. No.: 2) is a Punjab Legislative Assembly constituency in Pathankot district, Punjab state, India. It covers Bhoa village
Bhoa is a town in Pathankot, Tehsil, in the Pathankot District of Punjab State, India is ...
* Sarwan Singh Phillaur - Former Minister and 6 times M.L.A
* Darshan Singh Kaypee - Former Minister Punjab Government
* Baldev Singh Khaira - Former M.L.A
* Vaninder Kaur Loomba- Former M.L.A
*Jagtar Singh Jagga Hissowal
Jagtar Singh Jagga Hissowal is a Member of the Legislative Assembly (India), member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly from Raikot Assembly Constituency, Raikot constituency. He won the 2017 legislative election on the Aam Aadmi Party ticket ...
- Former M.L.A
*Kulwant Singh (politician)
Kulwant Singh is a businessman and politician who is currently a Member of Legislative Assembly from SAS Nagar and is the first Mayor of Mohali (Punjab). He is a member of the Aam Aadmi Party.
Early life
He was born into a Ramdasia Sikh fa ...
- First Mayor of Mohali City and Current M.L.A.
* Jiwan Singh Sangowal - M.L.A Gill Assembly constituency
Gill Assembly constituency is one of the 117 Legislative Assembly constituencies of Punjab state in India.
It is part of Ludhiana district and is reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes.
Members of the Legislative Assembly
...
*Saravjit Kaur Manuke
Saravjit Kaur Manuke (25 July 1972) is an Indian politician and the MLA in the Punjab Legislative Assembly representing the Ajnala Assembly constituency. She is a member of the Aam Aadmi Party.
The first time she contested election in 2017 on ...
- M.L.A Jagraon Assembly constituency
* Sheetal Angural - M.L.A Jalandhar West Assembly constituency
*Dr.Ravjot Singh
Dr. Ravjot Singh is an Indian politician and the MLA representing the Sham Chaurasi Assembly constituency in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. He is a member of the Aam Aadmi Party.
Career
Ravjot is a doctor and runs a private hospital, ''Ravjo ...
- M.L.A Sham Chaurasi Assembly constituency
*Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal- M.L.A Chabbewal Assembly constituency
Chabbewal Assembly constituency (Sl. No.: 44) is a Punjab Legislative Assembly constituency in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab
Punjab (; Punjabi Language, Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also Romanization, romanised as ''Panjāb' ...
*Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar - M.L.A Banga Assembly constituency
* Dr. Charanjit Singh - M.L.A Chamkaur Sahib Assembly constituency
* Rupinder Singh - M.L.A Bassi Pathana Assembly constituency
* Manwinder Singh- M.L.A Payal Assembly constituency
*Hakam Singh Thekedar
Hakam Singh Thekedar is an Indian politician and the MLA representing the Raikot Assembly constituency in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. He is a member of the Aam Aadmi Party. He was elected as the MLA in the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembl ...
- M.L.A Raikot Assembly constituency
*Rajneesh Dahiya
Rajneesh Kumar Dahiya is an Indian politician and the MLA representing the Firozpur Rural Assembly constituency in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. He is a member of the Aam Aadmi Party. He was elected as the MLA in the 2022 Punjab Legislative ...
- M.L.A Firozpur Rural Assembly constituency
* Amandeep Singh Musafir - M.L.A Balluana Assembly constituency
* Amit Rattan- M.L.A Bathinda Rural Assembly constituency
*Principal Budh Ram Singh- M.L.A Budhalada Assembly constituency
* Kulwant Singh Pandori- M.L.A Mehal Kalan Assembly constituency
* Gurdev Singh Mann - M.L.A Nabha Assembly constituency
Other States Politics
*Chandrashekhar Azad
Chandra Shekhar Tiwari ( (23 July 1906 – 27 February 1931), popularly known as Chandra Shekhar Azad, was an Indian revolutionary who reorganised the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) under its new name of Hindustan Socialist Republican ...
, is an Indian lawyer and Dalit rights activist and an Ambedkarite who is the co-founder and national president of the Bhim Army.
* Geeta Bhukkal - Former Minister, Haryana and Current M.L.A since 2005
Others
*Miss Pooja
Gurinder Kaur Kainth, popularly known by her stage name Miss Pooja is an Indian singer and actress who primarily sings Punjabi songs in Bhangra, Pop and Folk genres.
Personal life
Miss Pooja was born to Inderpal Kainth and Saroj Devi, a fam ...
- Punjabi Singer
*
*Amar Arshi
Amar Arshi is a Punjabi singer. He was born in Phagwara, Punjab, India. Currently, he is based out of London. His first album was released in 1991. His songs include "Aaja Ni Aaja", " Kaala Chasma" and "Rangli Kothi". "Kala Chashma" was remixe ...
- Punjabi Singh famous for song kala chashma
*
*Amar Singh Chamkila
Amar Singh Chamkila (21 July 1960 8 March 1988) was an Punjabi singer and musician of Punjabi music. Chamkila and his wife Amarjot were killed, along with two members of their band on 8 March 1988 in an assassination which remains unresolved. ...
- Punjabi Singer
*
* Seth Kishan Dass - was a leather trader, propagator of the Ad-Dharm movement, and a politician.
*
* Netan Sansara - British Footballer.
Civil servant
* Swaran Ram Darapuri IPS - Former I.G , Uttar Pradesh
* Darbara Singh Guru IAS - Former principal secretary
* P. L. Punia IAS - Former Bureaucrat and Former Member Parliament both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
* Som Parkash Kainth IAS - Former Bureaucrat and Current Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
* Amar Singh (Punjab politician) IAS - Former Bureaucrat and Current Member Parliament
*Meira Kumar
Meira Kumar (born 31 March 1945) is an Indian politician and former diplomat. A member of the Indian National Congress, she was the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004 to 2009, the Minister of Water Resources for a brief per ...
IFS- Former Indian Diplomat and Speaker of Lok Sabha (2004 to 2009)
See also
* Dera Sach Khand
Dera Sach Khand Ballan () is a socio-religious social organization (dera) based in the village of Ballan near Jalandhar, Punjab, India. It was founded by devotees of Guru Ravidas.
Dera Sach Khand Ballan is devoted to the cause of leading com ...
* Sant Mat
Sant Mat was a spiritual movement on the Indian subcontinent during the 13th–17th centuries CE. The name literally means "teachings of sants", i.e. mystic Hindu saints. Through association and seeking truth by following ''sants'' and their teac ...
* List of Ravidassia people
* Bhakti movement
* Ramdasia Sikhs
* Sects of Sikhism#Split traditions
References
External links
{{Religion topics
Bhakti movement
Bhakti-era Hindu sects
Contemporary Sant Mat
Nirguna worship traditions
Sant Mat
Dalit communities
Social groups of Punjab, India
Weaving communities of South Asia