Guru’s message shook caste system: Historian

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 25

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The Sikh Guru’s message on social equality has given strength to the Sikh community and the panth. Besides, it also shook the caste system, said noted historian Irfan Habib.

He was speaking during the monthly lecture series celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan in the National Capital.

“Any person who professes to study India needs to study Sikh history,” Habib said, adding that Guru Nanak preached in the language of the peasant and rustic. “He did not use Sanskrit. He preached in the language of the common man. He addressed those who are not normally approached,” he added.

The Guru said a Brahmin could be a Sikh and he could be taught by a Khatri. There was no bar. The word “Jat” was used for people who were pastoralists living in Sindh under all kinds of restrictions. They migrated northwards towards Punjab and became agriculturalists.

The “Jats” of Punjab attacked the caste system when they took to the Guru’s teachings. Habib drew parallels from the then prevailing social circumstances to explain how Guru Granth Sahib carried the message of how a man has to do his deed and God has to approve of them.

Citing the Guru Granth Sahib, Habib said, “Make your own path to God”, as he drew from verses to explain its impact on social life. He cited “Dabistani Mazahib”, a 17th century work in Persian, to bring about the social scenario of that time. He concluded, “Hope these celebrations are used as an occasion to tell our people how we should live and care for each other.”