Basith (Sikh traditions) in India

Introduction / History

Though most Basith people are Hindu, some of them are Sikh. Unlike most Sikh communities that live mainly in Punjab, most of the Basith live further north in Jammu and Kashmir.

Where Are they Located?

The Sikhs among the Basith people live in Jammu and Kashmir.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Basith people are mainly farmers. The men drink alcohol which they buy at local markets. Relationships between men and women are unusual in Basith communities. When there is a divorce, the man is responsible for the children. Daughters share in parental inheritance that usually only goes to sons in most other South Asian cultures. Women contribute to the family income by doing odd jobs and enjoy equal status with men. Basith couples prefer small families with about three children.
Though there is relatively good relationships between Hindu and Sikh communities, there is no intermarriage between these religious groups, even among the Basith people.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Basith people are Sikhs. Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God.

One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They worship their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns.

There are roughly the same number of Sikhs as there are Jews in the world, but Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world. Many of the best Indian restaurants in the West are owned and operated by Sikhs.

What Are Their Needs?

Be they Hindu or Sikh, the Basith people need to put their trust in the Risen Savior who has victory over death and sin.

Prayer Points

Pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done among the Basith people, be they Hindu or Sikh.
Pray for a movement of Basith households to study the Bible and accept the blessings of Christ.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Basith people to the arms of Jesus.
Pray for workers who are filled with the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit to go to the Basith people.

Text Source:   Keith Carey