Introductory - Global Sikh Studies

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was following God’s right path because God was neither Hindu nor
Mussalman. In other words, the Guru rejects the Hindus and the
Muslim paths, not because of the shortcomings of their followers, but
mainly because God is non-sectarian.
We have seen that the Radical Bhaktas were not Hindu
reformers. If all that they rejected is taken out of Brahmanism, there
is nothing of substance left that the orthodox religion could claim as
exclusively its own. This applies doubly to Guru Nanak’s ideology,
because he was even more vehement in his criticism of Brahmanism
and its scriptures and practices.
The Janamsakhis also make it clear that Guru Nanak’s mission
was non-sectarian and in the context of the times a new path. ‘God
sent (Nanak) to start a panth (religion). ’18 ‘Nobody could make out
whether he was a Hindu or a Muslim’. 19 Two Kazis who came to see
him came to the conclusion that he was the Pir of both Hindus and
Muslims. ‘You carry conviction with (both) Hindus and Muslims’. 20
‘Then it became a current topic of discussion among Hindus and
Muslims…. What is his religion? He does not follow any one of the
panths of Yogis, Sanyasis, Tapasyis, Kazis, Mullahs, Hindus, Muslims,
Veds and Katebs… ’21 A Hindu Khatri complained to the Delhi Sultan
that ‘he does not recognise the authority of either Ved or Kateb’. 22 He
went to preach his message in Muslim countries and was warned of
the hazards to his life for doing so. If he had been a mere Hindu
reformer or a sectarian, there was no point in his going to far off
lands, because no Hindu could ever contemplate of converting Muslims
to Hinduism. In addition, we have the evidence of Bhai Gurdas who
wrote ; ‘(Guru Nanak) vanquished the Sidha in discussion and made
a separate Panth of his own.’ 23 ‘Opening the book, (they) asked who is
better, Hindu or Mussalman? ’24 (‘Guru Nanak replied) They (Hindus
and Mussalmans) quarrel with each other, (but) Ram and Rahim are
no the same footing. ’25 ‘Nanak struck his own coin in this world and
created a pure panth. ’26
Further, Guru Nanak took clear organisational steps in shaping
a Sikh society on separate ideologi cal lines. He established
Dharmsalas in far-flung places inside the country and outside it. ’27
These Dharmsalas became the centres where his followers could
meet together, practise the Dharm of his concept, and spread his