The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak,  who was born in
1469. It was originally intended to bring together the best
of the Hindu and Islamic religions. Its basic tenets are
similar to those of Hinduism, with the important modification
that the Sikhs are opposed to caste distinction and
pilgrimages to rivers. They are not, however, opposed to
pilgrimages to holy sites.
They worship at temples known as Gurudwaras, baptise their
children (when they are old enough to understand the
religion) in a ceremony known as phul and cremate their
dead. The Holy book of Sikhs is the Granth Sahib, which
contains the works of the 10 Sikh Gurus together with Hindu
and Muslim writings. The last Guru died in 1708.
In the 16th century, Guru Gobind Singh introduced military
overtones into the religion in an attempt to halt the
persecution the Sikhs were then suffering.  A brotherhood,
known as the Khalsa, was formed, and entry into it was
conditional on a person undergoing baptism (amrit). From
that time the majority of Sikhs have borne the surname Singh
which means Lion (although just because a person has the
surname Singh doesn't mean they are necessarily a Sikh; many
Rajputs also have this surname).
Sikh believes in one God and are opposed to idol worship.
They practise tolerance and love to others, and their belief
in hospitality extends to offering shelter to anyone who
comes to their Gurudwaras.
They are the most visible of the Indian religious groups
because groups of the five symbols introduced by Guru Gobind
Singh to help Sikh men recognise each other. They are known
as the five Kakkars and are: Kesh - hair (symbol of
saintliness); Kangha - the wooden or ivory comb (symbol of
cleanliness); Kuccha - shorts (symbol of alertness); Kara -
the steal bracelet (symbol of determination); and Kirpan -
the sword (for the defence of the week). Because of their
Kesh, Sikh men wear their hair tied up in a bun and hidden
by a turban. With his beard, turban and upright, military
bearing, the 'noble' Sikh is hard to miss!
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