Introductory - Global Sikh Studies

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CHAPTER X
The Sikh Panth
In view of their ideology, the Sikh Gurus could not rest content
merely with preaching their doctrines and leaving it at that. Their
world-view impelled them to accept the challenges which the unjust
caste order and the religious and the political domination posed. To
solve these problems it was imperative to organize people. Institutions
like the caste system and the oppressive political state could be
replaced only by creating parallel institutions. There was no alternative
to taking steps in this direction. Ignoring the challenges would not
have solved any of the problems, nor contributed to universal
humanism. It was a very difficult mission both to build new institutions
and, at the same time, to maintain the spirit of universalism in a mass
organization.
Idealism has, except as a source of inspiration, limited social
utility if it is not properly organised for social ends. This is amply
illustrated by the negligible social impact of the Radical Bhakti ideology
on the caste society. If idealism is to be yoked to achieving social
aims, it has got to be institutonalised. In the process, it cannot escape
assuming a certain distinctiveness and identity of its own. And greater
the resistance to be over come to the social change, the greater has to
be the emphasis on the separate identity and organisation of the new
ideology.
1. Distinctiveness
The universal and non-sectarian gospel of Guru Nanak in
itself became the first step in differentiating the Sikh mission from
the older creeds. In his time, the Indian atmosphere was
surcharged with hatred between Hindus and Muslims. They were