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Sikh Research Institute
Sikh Research Institute Canada
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Caste and race have been linked together since the inception of the word “caste.” In the 17th century, Portuguese colonials coined the term “caste” — deriving from “casta,” which means “race, lineage, or breed” — to refer to the system of social codification witnessed during their exploration of South Asia.
Download ResourceCaste and race have been linked together since the inception of the word “caste.” In the 17th century, Portuguese colonials coined the term “caste” — deriving from “casta,” which means “race, lineage, or breed” — to refer to the system of social codification witnessed during their exploration of South Asia.
Historically and currently, social prescriptions and categorizations deriving from caste and race have been used to wield power over groups of people deemed as the “other.” Though the caste system stems from ancient Hindu scripture, codified in the Manusmriti, or Laws of Manu, caste-based discrimination has taken on plural and varied forms in social and cultural practices across space and time.
Historically and currently, social prescriptions and categorizations deriving from caste and race have been used to wield power over groups of people deemed as the “other.” Though the caste system stems from ancient Hindu scripture, codified in the Manusmriti, or Laws of Manu, caste-based discrimination has taken on plural and varied forms in social and cultural practices across space and time.
Bani is the Wisdom, and the Wisdom is the Guru. One builds one’s understanding of the Wisdom on the Sabad (word-sounds of the Wisdom). Sabads are also verses; the collection of Sabads is the Bani (utterances or teachings). We actively engage with and learn about the Bani in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Although caste is subverted and the caste system is rejected in Bani on multiple levels and is clearly irrelevant in the realm of IkOankar, where IkOankar operates and has authority (everywhere), it is necessary to contextualize how caste and race are understood within the context of Tavarikh to grapple with the complexities of how they shape socio-cultural landscapes across time, from the period of the ten founder Gurus (1469-1708) to the present. We must continue to question how we relate to caste history and the claims of pride and hierarchy that Bani denounces and transcends, as systems of inequality, such as caste and race, are still active oppressive forces today.
Rahit, or lifestyle, refers not only to historical rahitname (writings on the code of conduct or lifestyle of a Sikh) and the Sikh Rahit Maryada (Sikh code of conduct) sanctioned by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), but also to current realities in the legal systems Sikhs are living under globally.
This educational series provides students with historical insights that strengthen their connection to Sikhi.
This educational series provides learners with historical insights that strengthen their connection to Sikhi.