Sikh Legends (1849–today)

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Modern exemplars—from reformers to martyrs—carrying Sikhi beyond the historic kingdom into the diaspora.

Showing 1–8 of 8 articles

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  Bhagat Singh Thind Sikh Legends Living Heritage An early pioneer of the diaspora [in the early 20th century] who legally fought for South Asian citizenship in the United States and served in the U.S. Army during WWI, laying the groundwork for Sikh visibility abroad.
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  Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany Sikh Legends Living Heritage The "Father of Fiber Optics." A pioneering physicist in the diaspora, he proved that Sikhs could excel at the highest echelons of global science while proudly maintaining the 5 Ks and a distinct Sikh identity.
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  Baba Dayal Singh Sikh Legends Living Heritage Initiated the 1840s Nirankari movement, advocating for the worship of a formless God (Nirankar) and stripping away idol worship and Brahmanical rituals.
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  Baba Ram Singh Sikh Legends Living Heritage Founded the Namdhari (Kuka) movement in 1857, enforcing strict Khalsa discipline and launching the first non-cooperation movement against British rule, promoting swadeshi goods and boycotting British institutions
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  Giani Ditt Singh & Professor Sahib Singh Sikh Legends Living Heritage Key architects of the Singh Sabha movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They codified Sikh theology (creating the Sikh Rehat Maryada) and established educational institutions like the Khalsa College Amrits…
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  Kartar Singh Sarabha Sikh Legends Living Heritage A founding member of the global Ghadar Party, he became a legendary martyr of the Indian freedom movement, inspiring revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh before his execution in 1915.
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  Shaheed Bhagat Puran Singh Sikh Legends Living Heritage A modern exemplar of Seva (selfless service). After witnessing the violence of the 1947 Partition, he dedicated his life to the destitute and founded the Pingalwara Charitable Society in Amritsar, providing lifelong car…
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  Fauja Singh Sikh Legends Living Heritage The centenarian marathon runner who became the first human over 100 years old to complete a marathon. Running in events like the London Marathon, he became a global symbol of Sikh resilience, fitness, and Chardi Kala (e…