Jathedar
{{Short description|Sikh title}}
{{Refimprove|Specific claimed jathedars within the lists need a reliable source to affirm their position.|date=September 2023}}
{{Sikhism sidebar}}
A jathedar ({{langx|pa|ਜੱਥੇਦਾਰ}}) is a leader of high regard chosen to head and ensure discipline within a jatha, a troop of Sikhs.{{cite book |last1=Nabha |first1=Kahn Singh |title=Guru Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh |date=30 December 2014 |publisher=Panjabi University |location=Patiala |url=https://punjabipedia.org/topic.aspx?txt=%E0%A8%9C%E0%A8%A5%E0%A9%87%E0%A8%A6%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B0 |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208021001/https://punjabipedia.org/topic.aspx?txt=%E0%A8%9C%E0%A8%A5%E0%A9%87%E0%A8%A6%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B0 |url-status=live }} In modern-times, the term is used to in-reference to leaders of Sikh spiritual organizations, such as any of the Panj Takhts.
History
During the early-to-mid 18th century, the term was used to refer to a leader of a Jatha.{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harbans |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |publisher=Punjabi University, Patiala |volume=2: E-L |pages=362–3}} However, it began to be replaced by titles, such as Sardar, due to Afghan influence from the mid-18th century onwards. The terms "jatha" and "jathedar" were revived during the Singh Sabha Movement to refer to "bands of preachers and choirs", an association which survives until the present-day. However, during the later Gurdwara Reform Movement, the terms began to take on a martial tone once again, resuscitating and harking back to the 18th century's context for the word.
Jathedars of the Akal Takht
{{Main|Jathedar of the Akal Takht}}
- Gurdas Bhalla {{small|({{circa|1606}}–{{circa|1637}})}}
Usurped by Minas from 1640 to 1698
- Mani Singh {{small|({{circa|1699}}–{{circa|1737}})}} {{Executed}}
- Darbara Singh {{small|({{circa|1722}}–1734)}}
- Kapur Singh Virk {{small|(1733–1748)}}
- Jassa Singh Ahluwalia {{small|(1748–1783)}}
- Phula Singh {{small|({{circa|1800}}–1823)}} {{KIA}}
- Hanuman Singh {{small|(1823–1846)}} {{KIA}}
- Prahlad Singh {{small|(1846–1865)}} {{KIA}}
Usurped by Sarbarahs appointed by the British Indian Government from 1859 to 1920
- Teja Singh Bhuchar {{small|(1920–1921)}} {{Assassinated}}
- Teja Singh Akarpuri {{small|(1921–1923)}} & {{small|(1926–1930)}}
- Udham Singh Nagoke {{small|(1923–1924)}} & {{small|(1926-short period)}}
- Acchar Singh {{small|(1924–1926)}} & {{small|(1955–1962)}}
- Didar Singh {{small|(1925-short period)}}
- Jawaher Singh Mattu Bhaike {{small|(1926-short period)}}
- Gurmukh Singh Musafir {{small|(1931–1934)}}
- Wasakha Singh Dadehar {{small|(1934)}}
- Mohan Singh Nagoke {{small|(1935–1952)}}
- Partap Singh {{small|(1938–1948)}} {{small|(1952–1954)}} {{Assassinated}}
- Mohan Singh Tur {{small|(1962–1963)}}
- Sadhu Singh Bhaura {{small|(1964–1980)}}
- Kirpal Singh {{small|(1963–1965)}} {{small|(1983–1986)}}
- Gurdial Singh Ajnoha {{small|(1980–1982)}}
- Jasbir Singh Rode {{small|(1986–1989)}}
- Gurdev Singh Kaunke {{small|(1986–1993)}} {{Executed}}
- Gurbachan Singh Manochahal {{small|(1986–1987)}} {{KIA}}
- Darshan Singh {{small|(1986–1988)}} {{small|(1986–1988)}} {{small|(1989–1990)}}
- Manjit Singh {{small|(1994–1997)}}
- Ranjit Singh {{small|(1994–1999)}}
- Puran Singh {{small|(1999–2000)}}
- Joginder Singh Vedanti {{small|(2000–2008)}}
- Gurbachan Singh {{small|(2008–2018)}}
- Jagtar Singh Hawara {{small|(2015–Incumbent)}}
- Dhian Singh Mand {{small|(2015–Incumbent)}}
- Harpreet Singh {{small|(2018–2023)}}
- Raghbir Singh {{small|(2023–2025)}}
- Kuldeep Singh Gargaj {{small|(2025–Incumbent)}}
Jathedars of Takht Kesgarh Sahib
{{Main articles|Takht Kesgarh Sahib}}
- Karam Singh
- Kharak Singh
- Budh Singh
- Puran Singh
- Puran Singh
- Resham Singh
- Partap Singh
- Bir Singh
- Ajit Singh
- Fauja Singh
- Bachitar Singh
- Guridal Singh
- Harcharan Singh
- Shavinder Singh
- Labh Singh{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1HmNAAAAMAAJ |title=Journal of Government and Political Studies |date=1989 |publisher=Department of Political Science, Punjabi University |pages=23 |language=en}} {{KIA}}
- Balbir Singh
- Manjit Singh
- Tarlochan Singh
- Mal Singh {{small|(2013-2017)}}
- Amrik Singh Ajnala {{small|(2015–2017)}}
- Raghbir Singh {{small|(2017–2023)}}
- Sultan Singh {{small|(2023-2025)}}
- Kuldeep Singh Gargaj {{small|(2025–Incumbent)}}
Jathedars of Takht Damdama Sahib
{{Main articles|Takht Sri Damdama Sahib}}
- Deep Singh {{KIA}}
- Sudh Singh
- Karam Singh
- Natha Singh {{KIA}}
- Ran Singh
- Bhagwaan Singh
- Baghel Singh
- Diwan Singh
- Ram Singh
- Harchand Singh Longowal{{Assassinated}}
- Jagir Singh
- Avtar Singh Brahma{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1HmNAAAAMAAJ |title=Journal of Government and Political Studies |date=1989 |publisher=Department of Political Science, Punjabi University |pages=23 |language=en}}{{KIA}}
- Sabh Lakha Singh {{KIA}}
- Jaswant Singh
- Sanjh Hakam Singh
- Mehar Singh
- Kewal Singh
- Balwant Singh Nandgarh{{Cite web |date=6 January 2003 |title=Nandgarh installed Jathedar |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030107/punjab.htm |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab |archive-date=2020-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928033209/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030107/punjab.htm |url-status=live }}
- Gurmukh Singh{{Cite web |last1=Rambani |first1=Vishal |last2=Nagpal |first2=Atul |date=2017-04-21 |title=Giani Gurmukh Singh removed as Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar; he hits back |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/giani-gurmukh-singh-removed-as-takht-damdama-sahib-jathedar-over-violation-of-sikh-maryada/story-SzQLjzt4iCfEwOxHjyXssM.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}
- Baljit Singh Daduwal {{small|(2015–2020)}}
- Harpreet Singh {{small|(2018–2025)}}{{Cite web |title=Takhat Sahiban Jathedar |url=https://www.dsgmc.in/About/TakhatSahibanJathedar |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee www.dsgmc.in |archive-date=2022-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902100135/https://www.dsgmc.in/About/TakhatSahibanJathedar |url-status=live }}
- Jagtar Singh {{small|(2025-short period)}}
- Tek Singh Dhanaula {{small|(2025–Incumbent)}}
Jathedars of Takht Patna Sahib
{{Main articles|Takht Sri Patna Sahib}}
- Maan Singh {{small|(–2000)}}
- Iqbal Singh {{small|(2000–2019)}}{{Cite web |title=Court reinstates Takht Patna Sahib former Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/court-reinstates-takht-patna-sahib-former-jathedar-312680 |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902100134/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/court-reinstates-takht-patna-sahib-former-jathedar-312680 |url-status=live }}
- Ranjit Singh {{small|(2019–2022)}}{{Cite web |title=Ranjit Singh is Takht Patna Sahib jathedar |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/ranjit-singh-is-takht-patna-sahib-jathedar-830166 |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902100135/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/ranjit-singh-is-takht-patna-sahib-jathedar-830166 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-19 |title=Amid opposition, Giani Ranjit Singh reinstated as Takht Patna Sahib jathedar |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/amid-opposition-giani-ranjit-singh-reinstated-as-takht-patna-sahib-jathedar-101668879464679.html |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121000719/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/amid-opposition-giani-ranjit-singh-reinstated-as-takht-patna-sahib-jathedar-101668879464679.html |url-status=live }}
- Baldev Singh {{small|(2022–Incumbent)}}
Jathedars of Takht Hazur Sahib
{{Main articles|Hazur Sahib}}
- Santokh Singh {{small|(1709–1715)}}
- Khushal Singh {{small|(1715–1722)}}
- Lal Singh {{small|(1722–1730)}}
- Bakhtawar Singh {{small|(1730–1736)}}
- Charat Singh {{small|(1736–1786)}}
- Mohar Singh {{small|(1786–1793)}}
- Ram Singh {{small|(1793–1804)}}
- Dharam Singh {{small|(1804–1812)}}
- Charat Singh {{small|(1812–1817)}}
- Sahib Singh {{small|(1817–1818)}}
- Aaya Singh {{small|(1818–1824)}}
- Jassa Singh {{small|(1824–1839)}}
- Isher Singh {{small|(1839–1841)}}
- Waryam Singh {{small|(1841–1844)}}
- Tara Singh {{small|(1844–1858)}}
- Atar Singh {{small|(1858–1867)}}
- Prem Singh {{small|(1867–1875)}}
- Deva Singh {{small|(1875–1876)}}
- Brij Singh {{small|(1876–1877)}}
- Jawahar Singh {{small|(1877–1883)}}
- Nanu Singh {{small|(1883–1890)}}
- Maan Singh {{small|(1890–1913)}}
- Daya Singh {{small|(1913–1914)}}
- Hari Singh {{small|(1914–1919)}}
- Hira Singh {{small|(1919–1945)}}
- Bahadur Singh {{small|(1945–1946)}}
- Hira Singh {{small|(1946–1950)}}
- Harnam Singh {{small|(1950–1956)}}
- Joginder Singh {{small|(1956–1984)}}
- Hajura Singh {{small|(1984–2000)}}
- Kulwant Singh {{small|(2000–Incumbent)}}
Jathedars of Damdami Taksal
{{Main articles|Damdami Taksal}}
- Baba Deep Singh Ji {{KIA}} {{small|(1708-1757)}}
- Baba Gurbaksh Singh {{small|(1757-1764)}}
- Soorat Singh {{small|(1764-Unknown)}}
- Gurdas Singh
- Sant Singh {{small|(Unknown-1832)}}
- Daya Singh {{small|(1832-Unknown)}}
- Bhagwan Singh
- Harnam Singh Bedi
- Bishan Singh Muralewale {{small|(Unknown-1905)}}
- Sundar Singh Bhindranwale {{small|(1905-1930)}}
- Gurbachan Singh Bhindranwale {{small|(1930-1961)}}
- Kartar Singh Bhindranwale {{small|(1969–1977)}}
- Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale {{small|(1977–1984)}}
- Thakur Singh Bhindranwale {{small|(1984–2004)}}
- Harnam Singh {{small|(2004–Incumbent)}}
Jathedars of Budha Dal
{{See also|Nihang#Budha Dal}}
- Binod Singh {{small|(1708–1716)}} {{KIA}}
- Darbara Singh {{small|(1716–1734)}} {{KIA}}
- Nawab Kapur Singh {{small|(1737–1753)}}
- Jassa Singh Ahluwalia {{small|(1753–1783)}}
- Akali Naina Singh {{small|(1783–1800)}}
- Akali Phula Singh {{small|(1800–1823)}} {{KIA}}
- Akali Hanuman Singh {{small|(1823–1846)}} {{KIA}}
- Akali Prahlad Singh {{small|(1846–1865)}} {{KIA}}
- Akali Gian Singh {{small|(1865–1907)}}
- Akali Teja Singh {{small|(1907–1929)}}
- Akali Sahib Singh Kaladhari {{small|(1929–1942)}}
- Akali Karam Singh {{small|(1942–1944)}}
- Akali Chet Singh {{small|(1944–1969)}}
- Akali Santa Singh {{small|(1969-2007)}}
- Akali Surjit Singh {{small|(2007–2014)}}
- Akali Joginder Singh Raqbewale {{small|(2014–Incumbent)}}
Jathedars of Tarna Dal
{{See also|Nihang#Taruna (or Tarna) Dal}}
- Baba Deep Singh {{KIA}}
- Gurbakhsh Singh {{KIA}}
- Sudha Singh
- Karam Singh
- Natha Singh
- Ram Singh Bedi
- Jassa Singh
- Nand Singh
- Ram Singh
- Gurmukh Singh
- Sadhu Singh
- Bishan Singh
- Kirtan Singh {{small|(1994-2001)}}
- Makhan Singh {{small|(2001-2016)}}
- Gajjan Singh {{small|(2016-2023)}}
- Joga Singh {{small|(2023-current)}}
Jathedars of Bidhi Chand Dal
{{See also|Nihang#Bidhi Chand Dal}}
- Bidhi Chand Chhina
- Lal Chand
- Gurdial Chand
- Hukam Chand
- Jeoun Singh
- Jaspat Singh
- Bhag Singh
- Labh Singh
- Natha Singh
- Sohan Singh
- Daya Singh Sur Singh {{small|(1975-2014)}}
- Avtar Singh Sur Singh {{small|(2014-Incumbent)}}