Sikh titles
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Sikh titles are positions or honorifics appended to the names of members of the Sikh community. Their form may be prefixes or suffixes to names, or the title may be used alone, in place of the name. They may denote social status or relationship, occupational field, or religious standing. When used as a form of address, they are often intended to convey respect.
History
After the formation of the Sikh Confederacy in 1748, the title Jathedar began to fall into disuse from that point onwards, as leaders of Sikh misls preferred the term Sardar to refer to themselves, due to Afghan influence.{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harbans |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |publisher=Punjabi University, Patiala |volume=2: E-L |pages=362–3}}
List of Sikh titles and honorifics
{{Incomplete list|date=March 2022}}
File:Painting of a Sikh Sardar wearing yellow turban, ca.1835–1845.jpg, ca.1835–1845]]
=Unisex=
=Males=
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- Baba
- Bhagat 'devotee': Bhagat Puran Singh
- Bhai, 'brother': Bhai Gurdas, Bhai Santokh (Suraj Parkash)
- Bhai Sahab
- Choudhary
- Das, a surname regularly encountered among Sikhs, which has also been applied as a title, signifying "devotee" or "votary" (in the context of religion); also, Dasa{{cite book |last1=Talbot |first1=Cynthia |title=Precolonial India in practice: Society, region, and identity in medieval Andhra |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-513661-6 |page=81}}
- Guru 'revered teacher (of a disciple)', 'enlightener': Sikh gurus
- Gyani or Giani 'philosopher': Giani Sant Singh Maskeen
- Jathedar, 'General', 'leader'
- Kunwar
- Maharaja
- Ragi
- Raja
- Rai
- Rana
- Rao
- Sant, 'enlightened' or 'holy': Sant Fateh Singh
- Sardar, male honorific attached to names as a prefix.
- Sahib
- Shaheed, 'martyr': Baba Deep Singh, Bhai Mani Singh
- Singh
- Swargwasi, 'deceased [male]' ('late' in English)
- Thakur
- Ustad, 'Master' (teacher)
- Yuvraj
- Zamindar
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=Females=
File: Portrait painting of Rani Gaddan (alternatively spelt as Rani Guddan), one of the Queens of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, circa 19th century.jpg Gaddan (alternatively spelt as Rani Guddan), one of the queens of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, circa 19th century]]
- Bibi, in English 'Miss'
- Bhehen ji
- Jathedarni, 'General', 'leader'
- Kaur
- Maharani
- Masterani, in English teacher
- Rani
- Saheba
- Sardarni, female equivalent of sardar.{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Jagraj |title=A Complete Guide to Sikhism |publisher=Unistar Books |year=2009 |isbn=9788171427543 |pages=73–74 |chapter=2: Practical Sikhism: Sikh Names}} Used as a prefix attached to the female's name.
- Swargwasi 'deceased [female]'/'late' in English)
- Yuvrani
- Thakurani
- Zamindarni
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- https://web.archive.org/web/20080726175721/http://sgpc.net/glossary/Jathedar.asp
- http://www.maskeensahib.com/