Sikhism

===Sikh sects===
{{main|Sects of Sikhism}}
Sikh sects are sub-traditions within Sikhism that believe in an alternate lineage of gurus, or have a different interpretation of the Sikh scriptures, or believe in following a living guru, or hold other concepts that differ from the orthodox Khalsa Sikhs.<ref name="Syan2014p170">{{cite book |first=Hardip Singh |last=Syan |editor1-first=Pashaura |editor1-last=Singh |editor2-first=Louis E. |editor2-last=Fenech |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ |date=2014 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8|pages=170–180}}</ref><ref name="Takhar2014p350" /> The major historic sects of Sikhism have included Udasi, Nirmala, Nanakpanthi, Khalsa, Sahajdhari, Namdhari Kuka, Nirankari, and Sarvaria.<ref name="Oberoi1994p24">{{cite book |first=Harjot |last=Oberoi |title=The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1NKC9g2ayJEC&pg=PA78 |date=1994 |publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]] |isbn=978-0-226-61592-9 |pages=24–25}}</ref>

Sikhs originally had only five orders, or [[Sampradaya|sampradas]] (not to be confused as deviant sects). These include:

[[Nihang]]s - the Sikh [[Panth|Panth's]] warriors or armed troops.<ref name=":5" /> There are two main groups within this order: Buddha Dal, or the army of veterans, and Tarna Dal, or the army of youth. There are other smaller sub-orders connected to these two.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Akalis/Nihangs |url=http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akalis.html |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=philtar.ac.uk}}</ref> The president of Buddha Dal, previously always served as the president of the [[Akal Takht|Akaal Takht]], which has jurisdiction over all things pertaining to the [[Nihang|Akaali Nihang]] order.<ref name=":2a" /> Theoretically, the religion is the property of [[Fateh Singh (Sikhism)|Baba Fateh Singh]], Sahibzada (son) of the tenth Guru.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
[[File:Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa, a white convert to Sikhism, who authored the most widely used translation of the primary Sikh Scripture.jpg|thumb|Sant Singh Khalsa, a white convert to Sikhism, authored the most widely used translation of the Guru Granth Sahib]]
[[Nirmala (sect)|Nirmalas]] – scholars. Composed texts as well as traditionally studying a wide range of [[Indian religions|Indian]] and some non-Indian literature. They converse with other [[Dharma|Dharmik pathways]] as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nirmalas |url=http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/nirmal.html |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=philtar.ac.uk}}</ref> The 10th Guru also institutionalized them. Bhai Daya Singh Ji Samparda and Bhai Dharam Singh Ji Samparda, two of the [[Panj Pyare]] or cherished ones of the 10th Guru, founded two Nirmala orders.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2006 |title=Nirmal Home |url=http://nirmalashramrishikesh.org/Home.asp?GivePage=reso1024 |access-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615052041/http://nirmalashramrishikesh.org/Home.asp?GivePage=reso1024 |archive-date=15 June 2006 }}</ref> There are further sub-orders with these two orders.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

[[Udasi]]s – an ascetic group that historically looked after [[Gurdwara]]s and carried out [[missionary]] activity. Although not promoting it to others, certain of their practices depart from the majority of Sikh beliefs.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Udasis |url=http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/udas.html |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=philtar.ac.uk}}</ref> [[Sri Chand|Baba Sri Chand]], the eldest Sahibzada (son) of the first Guru, [[Guru Nanak|Guru Nanak Dev]], founded the order.<ref name=":3" /> Their Gurdev is Baba Sri Chand.<ref name=":2a" />

[[Sevapanthi (Sikh Order)|Sevapanthis]] – philanthropists who engage in charitable work/seva, or selfless service, without expecting payment.<ref name=":4">Shriniwas, Geeta. "sevapanthi sampradaya itihash aur vikas."</ref> They also work on academic projects. Bhai Kahnaiya, a Sikh of the 9th & 10th Guru, served as the first head of the order<ref>Mahal, Ramandeep. "Bhai Kanhaiya ji: A Humanitarian Soul."</ref> and is renowned for his wartime medical assistance to wounded enemy soldiers.<ref name=":4" /> Very few of them exist today. The environment in which they lived and interacted with was a predominately Muslim.<ref name=":4" />

[[Damdami Taksal|Gyaaniyan Samparda]] – the university of Sikhi, whilst technically not an order, it essentially serves as one.<ref name="Nirbhai Singh 1990 1–3" /> Made up from individuals belonging to all of the above sects. Many branches within this order.[[File:Ustad Baljit Singh Luxmi Namdhari and Fateh Singh.jpg|left|thumb|[[Namdhari|Namdhari Sikhs]], also called the ''Kuka'' Sikhs are a sect of Sikhism known for their crisp white dress and horizontal ''pagari'' (turban).<ref name=britsikhssects>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism/Sects-and-other-groups "Sects and other groups: Sikhism"], ''[[Encyclopaedia Britannica]] Online''.</ref><ref name="HaarKalsi2009p10">{{cite book |first1=Kristen |last1=Haar |first2=Sewa Singh |last2=Kalsi |title=Sikhism |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase |isbn=978-1-4381-0647-2 |pages=10–11}}</ref> Above: Namdhari singer and musicians.]]

The early Sikh sects were [[Udasi]]s and [[Mina (Sikhism)|Minas]] founded by Baba [[Sri Chand]] – the elder son of [[Guru Nanak]], and [[Prithi Chand]] – the elder son of [[Guru Ram Das]] respectively, in parallel to the official succession of the Sikh Gurus. Later on [[Ramraiya]] sect, founded by [[Baba Ram Rai|Ram Rai]], grew in [[Dehradun]] with the patronage of Aurangzeb.<ref name="FenechMcLeod2014p260" /> Many splintered Sikh communities formed during the [[Mughal Empire]] era. Some of these sects were financially and administratively supported by the Mughal rulers in the hopes of gaining a more favorable and compliant citizenry.<ref name="Takhar2014p350">{{cite book |first1=Opinderjit Kaur |last1=Takhar |editor1-first=Pashaura |editor1-last=Singh |editor2-first=Louis E. |editor2-last=Fenech |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ |date=2014|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8|pages=350–359}}</ref><ref name="FenechMcLeod2014p260">{{cite book |first1=Louis E. |last1=Fenech |first2=W. H. |last2=McLeod |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA260|date=2014|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1|pages=260–261}}</ref>

After the collapse of Mughal Empire, and particularly during the rule of Ranjit Singh, Udasi Sikhs protected Sikh shrines, preserved the Sikh scripture and rebuilt those that were desecrated or destroyed during the Muslim–Sikh wars. However, Udasi Sikhs kept idols and images inside these Sikh temples.<ref name="Oberoi1994p78" /><ref name="Fenech2014p375">{{cite book |first1=Pashaura |last1=Singh |first2=Louis E. |last2=Fenech |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ |date=2014|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8|pages=375–377}}</ref> In the 19th century, [[Namdhari]]s and [[Nirankari]]s sects were formed in Sikhism, seeking to reform and return to what each believed was the pure form of Sikhism.<ref name="fenech273">{{cite book |first1=Louis E. |last1=Fenech |first2=W. H. |last2=McLeod |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA273|date=2014|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1|pages=151, 273}}</ref><ref name="SinghFenech2014p28" /><ref name="Mandair 2013 85–86"/>

All these sects differ from Khalsa orthodox Sikhs in their beliefs and practices, such as continuing to solemnize their weddings around fire and being strictly vegetarian.<ref name=britsikhssects/><ref name="HaarKalsi2009p10" /> Many accept the concept of living Gurus such as Guru [[Baba Dyal Singh]]. The Nirankari sect, though unorthodox, was influential in shaping the views of Tat Khalsa and the contemporary-era Sikh beliefs and practices.<ref name=britsikhsects>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism/Sects-and-other-groups "Sects in Sikhism"], ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'' Online. Retrieved 7 August 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite book |page=141 |title=The Culture of India |first=Kathleen |last=Kuiper |publisher=Rosen}}</ref> Another significant Sikh sect of the 19th century was the [[Radhasoami]] movement in Punjab led by Baba Shiv Dyal.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p9">{{cite book |first1=Kristen |last1=Haar |first2=Sewa Singh |last2=Kalsi |title=Sikhism |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC&pg=PA9 |date=2009 |publisher=Infobase |isbn=978-1-4381-0647-2 |pages=9–14}}</ref> Other contemporary era Sikhs sects include the [[3HO]], formed in 1971, which exists outside India, particularly in North America and Europe.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p9" /><ref name=verne560>{{cite book |first=Verne |last=Dusenbery |editor1-first=Pashaura |editor1-last=Singh |editor2-first=Louis E. |editor2-last=Fenech |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ |date=2014 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-969930-8 |pages=560–570}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Mooney |first=Nicola |title=Reading Weber Among the Sikhs: Asceticism and Capitalism in the 3HO/Sikh Dharma |journal=Sikh Formations |volume=8 |issue=3 |year=2012 |issn=1744-8727 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2012.745305 |pages=417–436 |s2cid=145775040}}</ref>