Nirankari Movement | Punjab State (PPSC) PSC: Preparation - PPSC PCS (Punjab) PDF Download

Introdcution

Socio-Religious Movements in Punjab

•  Punjab had a rich diversity of religious communities, which led to a greater number of Socio-Religious Movements than in any other region of India. 
•  Some movements originated in Punjab, while others came from outside the region. 

Notable movements that came from outside Punjab include: 

• Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Rammohan Roy in Bengal. 
• Arya Samaj, led by Dayanand Saraswati, which originated in Bombay. 

These movements had a significant impact on the society of Punjab. 

Nirankari Movement

Origin of the Nirankari Movement

•  The Nirankari Movement was initiated by Baba Dayal Das, a merchant from Peshawar, in the mid-19th century (1783-1855). 
•  Baba Dayal Das founded the Nirankari Darbar in Rawalpindi in 1851. 

Core Beliefs

•  Baba Dayal Das emphasized the worship of God as Nirankar, meaning the formless creator. 
•  He rejected idol worship, ritualistic practices, and the authority of Brahmin priests who conducted these rituals. 
•  Instead, he advocated for a direct connection with God through meditation and the teachings of Guru Nanak Ji and the Adi Granth Sahib. 
•  The movement aimed to return Sikhism to its roots, focusing on the formless nature of God and the importance of Guru Nanak Ji's teachings. 

Leadership and Expansion

•  After Baba Dayal Das, his son Baba Darbar Singh took over the leadership of the Nirankari Movement. 
•  Baba Darbar Singh established new centres and standardized rituals for birth, marriage, and death according to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. 

Post-Partition Developments

•  After the partition of Punjab in 1947, the Nirankari Darbar relocated from Rawalpindi to Amritsar and later to Chandigarh. 
•  The movement continued to emphasize proper religious practices and issued Hukamnamas (edict) to define their beliefs and practices. 
•  They established a series of worship centres staffed by their own priests, focusing on the Will of God (Nirankar). 

Social Reforms and Ideological Differences

•  The Nirankari Movement became known for its social reforms, including a strict opposition to the dowry system. 
•  They positioned themselves as a symbol of Sikh renaissance, advocating for a return to core Sikh values. 
•  The movement eventually split into two groups: the Original Nirankari and the Sant Nirankari. 
•  A key difference between the Nirankari and orthodox Sikh beliefs is the continuation of human Gurus after Guru Gobind Singh Ji in Nirankari belief. 
•  Nirankaris do not accept the orthodox view that the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the last and only eternal Guru of Sikhism.