Equal rights

The contribution of Guru Angad Dev8217;s wife, Bibi Khivi, to the langar has been documented. His daughter, Bibi Amro, was well versed in the scriptures and she sang Guru Nanak8217;s bani at congregations. Guru Amardas had been impressed by Bibi Amro8217;s rendering of the bani even before he became a Sikh. After he became the third Guru, he consolidated the Sikh position regarding equality of women. He denounced Sati, the practice of burning a widow on the funeral pyre of her husband, and prohibited the purdah for women, according to which, women were hidden from men outside their own family, often by using a veil. He also laid great emphasis on langar, through which he demonstrated equality. He appointed women in prominent religious positions. Guru Amardas established 22 manjis ecclesiastical districts for men and 52 peerahs for women for preaching and spreading Sikhism. These were revolutionary steps at that time.

Manuscripts were prepared for the women family members of the Gurus, their genealogical details were recorded, which also point to the prominence of women during the time. Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Guru, named a town Chak Nanaki, after his mother. In Guru Gobind Singh8217;s time, Mai Bago led 40 Sikhs, who had deserted the Guru, back into battle. The tenth Guru8217;s wife, Mata Sahib Kaur, was by his side when he initiated the Khalsa in 1699. Sikh men and women alike became Khalsa. Sikh history is replete with examples of how women have risen to the occasion.

Extracted from 8216;Guru Nanak, His Life and Teachings8217; Rupa, 2004

Curated For You

Jana Nayagan Movie Audio Launch Live Updates: Vijay dances on Thalapathy Kacheri one last time; reveals why he is stepping away from cinema

Dhurandhar Box Office Worldwide Collection Day 22 Update: Ranveer Singhs film mints over Rs 20 crore on Saturday

Fans say Veer Pahariya looks uncomfortable as girlfriend Tara Sutaria performs with AP Dhillon in Mumbai: Didnt see him cheering