Sikh titles

Sikh titles are positions or honorifics appended to the names of members of the Sikh community. Their form may be prefixes or suffixes to names, or the title may be used alone, in place of the name. They may denote social status or relationship, occupational field, or religious standing. When used as a form of address, they are often intended to convey respect.

History

After the formation of the Sikh Confederacy in 1748, the title Jathedar began to fall into disuse from that point onwards, as leaders of Sikh misls preferred the term Sardar to refer to themselves, due to Afghan influence.^[1]

List of Sikh titles and honourifics

Unisex

Sri or Shri
Halwai, 'chef'
Haqeem or Ḥakīm, 'doctor'

Males

Baba
Bhagat 'devotee': Bhagat Puran Singh
Bhai, 'brother': Bhai Gurdas, Bhai Santokh (Suraj Parkash)
Bhai Sahab
Choudhary
Das, a surname regularly encountered among Sikhs, which has also been applied as a title, signifying "devotee" or "votary" (in the context of religion); also, Dasa^[2]
Guru 'revered teacher (of a disciple)', 'enlightener': Sikh gurus
Gyani or Giani 'philosopher': Giani Sant Singh Maskeen
Jathedar, 'General', 'leader'
Kunwar
Maharaja
Ragi
Raja
Rai
Rana
Rao
Sant, 'enlightened' or 'holy': Sant Fateh Singh
Sardar, male honourific attached to names as a prefix.^[3]
Sahib
Shaheed, 'martyr': Baba Deep Singh, Bhai Mani Singh
Singh
Swargwasi, 'deceased [male]' ('late' in English)
Thakur
Ustad, 'Master' (teacher)
Yuvraj
Zamindar

Females

Bibi, in English 'Miss'
Bhehen ji
Jathedarni, 'General', 'leader'
Kaur
Maharani
Masterani, in English teacher
Rani
Saheba
Sardarni, female equivalent of sardar.^[3] Used as a prefix attached to the female's name.^[3]
Swargwasi 'deceased [female]'/'late' in English)
Yuvrani
Thakurani
Zamindarni

References

^ Singh, Harbans. The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol. 2: E-L. Punjabi University, Patiala. pp. 362–3.
^ Talbot, Cynthia (2001). Precolonial India in practice: Society, region, and identity in medieval Andhra. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 81. ISBN 0-19-513661-6.
^ ^a ^b ^c Singh, Jagraj (2009). "2: Practical Sikhism: Sikh Names". A Complete Guide to Sikhism. Unistar Books. pp. 73–74. ISBN 9788171427543.

External links

[:02-1] Singh, Harbans. The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Vol. 2: E-L. Punjabi University, Patiala. pp. 362–3.

[2] Talbot, Cynthia (2001). Precolonial India in practice: Society, region, and identity in medieval Andhra. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 81. ISBN 0-19-513661-6.

[:0-3] Singh, Jagraj (2009). "2: Practical Sikhism: Sikh Names". A Complete Guide to Sikhism. Unistar Books. pp. 73–74. ISBN 9788171427543.

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