Sangat (Sikhism)

Namdhari Sikh Sangat in 2021

In Sikhism, sangat refers to the community of followers,^[1][2] sometimes referred to as a "congregation."^[3]

History

Guru Nanak had organized his followers into sangats, with a meeting between two Sikhs coming to be termed sadh sangat. A gathering of five Sikhs came to be known as panj parmeshar.^[4]

There were Manji dioceses composed of sangats Sikhs in a particular area.^[5] Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru, established the masand system to oversee sangats.^[6] The sangats contributed their dasvandh tithe to their local religious overseer, who would submit them to the Sikh guru to form a common-fund.^[5] Over time, the masands became corrupt and therefore Guru Gobind Singh abolished them and established direct contact with the sangats himself, not relying on any intermediaries.^[5] After the abolishment of the masands, the sangats brought their donations to the guru themselves when they visited him during festivals.^[5]

References

1. "The sangat - The nature of human life in Sikhism - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - Eduqas". BBC Bitesize.
2. Jakobsh, Doris R. (2006). "Authority in the Virtual Sangat : Sikhism, Ritual and Identity in the Twenty-First Century". Online - Heidelberg Journal of Religions on the Internet. doi:10.11588/rel.2006.1.374.
3. Kaur, Inderjit N. (2018). "Transnational affects, transnational worldings: Sikhs sounding sacred songs, making multiple worlds". Civilisations. pp. 23–40.
4. Dhillon, Balwant Singh (2014). Dhillon, Balwant Singh (ed.). "Formation of Early Sikh Identity, Notes and References section" (PDF). Perspectives on Guru Granth Sahib. 9. Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University: 17. ISSN 2393-9745.
5. Gill, Pritam Singh. "GOLAK". eos.learnpunjabi.org (digital version of 'The Encyclopedia of Sikhism' operated by Punjabi University, Patiala). Retrieved 26 January 2025.
6. "Sikhism | History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 21 January 2025.

Further reading

• Devinder Pal Singh (2023). "Sangat, Saadh Sangat and Sat Sangat – A Gurbani Perspective". The Sikh Review. 71 (7). Kolkata, WB, India: 27–31. Retrieved 2025-01-27 – via PhilArchive.