jathedar of the Akal Takht
{{Short description|Head of the Akal Takht and head of the Sikhs}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Jathedar
| body = the Akal Takht
| native_name = ਜੱਥੇਦਾਰ ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਸਾਹਿਬ
| flag = Nishan Sahib.svg
| incumbent = Disputed between
Dhian Singh Mand{{efn|Jagtar Singh Hawara was appointed by the Sarbat Khalsa on 10 November 2015. However due to his imprisonment, Dhian Singh Mand was appointed as the acting jathedar in his stead. The SGPC however refused to recognise its decisions.}}
Kuldeep Singh Gargaj{{efn|The SGPC refused to recognise the authority of the 2015 Sarbat Khalsa. Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has served as the jathedar of SGPC since 2025.}}
| incumbentsince = 10 November 2015 and 7 March 2025 respectively
| style = The Honourable
Singh Sahib
| member_of = Khalsa
| reports_to = Sikhs
| seat = Amritsar
| appointer = Sarbat Khalsa or SGPC
| termlength = No term limit
| formation = {{Start date and age|1606|06|15|df=y|p=y}}
| first = Bhai Gurdas
| website = {{URL|https://sgpc.net/|SGPC}}
| flagsize = 130
| insigniasize = 96
| insignia = Seal of the Akal Takht.svg
| insigniacaption = Seal of the Akal Takht
| flagcaption = Flag of the Akal Takht
| image = AkalTakhtGoldenTempleComplex.jpg
| residence = Akal Takht
}}
The Jathedar of the Akal Takht ({{langx|pa|ਜੱਥੇਦਾਰ ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਸਾਹਿਬ}}) is the head of the Akal Takht and head of the Sikhs worldwide.{{cite book |last1=Randhir |first1=G. S. |title=Sikh Shrines in India |date=February 1990 |publisher=Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-230-2260-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BCyYDQAAQBAJ |access-date=10 November 2022 |language=en}} The jathedar has the de facto power as the supreme spokesperson of the Khalsa to summon, try and sentence any person who identifies as a Sikh from the Akal Takht.{{cite news |last1=Brar |first1=Kamaldeep Singh |title=Akal Takht excommunicates Sucha Singh Langah without a hearing |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/akal-takht-excommunicates-sucha-singh-langah-without-a-hearing-4876404/ |access-date=10 November 2022 |agency=The Indian Express |date=6 October 2017}}
The current jathedar, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, was appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on 7 March 2025.{{cite news |last1=Kamaldeep Singh |first1=Brar |title=SGPC removes Jathedars of Akal Takht, Takht Kesgarh Sahib; former SAD district chief among new picks |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/sgpc-removes-jathedars-akal-takht-kesgarh-sahib-sad-district-chief-9874004/ |access-date=8 March 2025 |work=The Indian Express |publisher=Indian Express |date=7 March 2025 |language=en}} Jagtar Singh Hawara,{{cite web |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040123/main2.htm |accessdate=1 April 2015 |publisher=}}{{Cite web |date=2015-11-10 |title=Sarbat Khalsa appoints Jagtar Singh Hawara as Akal Takht jathedar |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/sarbat-khalsa-bhog-ceremony-of-akhand-path-performed-people-start-reaching-the-venue/story-4a7kGuwRRCaP8pPa6zugSL.html |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} was declared jathedar of the Akal Takht by the Sarbat Khalsa on 10 November 2015 due to the imprisonment of Hawara, Dhian Singh Mand appointed by the Sarbat Khalsa has been serving as the acting jathedar.{{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=GS |title=Takht Jathedar's address marred by sloganeering |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/takht-jathedar-s-address-marred-by-sloganeering-680283 |access-date=10 November 2022 |agency=The Tribune |date=8 November 2018}} The jathedars of the five takhts generally make important decisions in consultation within the framework of the Sikh Rehat Maryada while considering the collective will of the Sikhs.{{cite news |last1=Sethi |first1=Chitleen |date=8 December 2022 |title=Ex-jathedar a 'sinner', dope tests for staff: Akal Takht head's orders spark sit-in at Patna Sahib |publisher=The Print |url=https://theprint.in/india/ex-jathedar-a-sinner-dope-tests-for-staff-akal-takht-heads-orders-spark-sit-in-at-patna-sahib/1253754/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208021000/https://theprint.in/india/ex-jathedar-a-sinner-dope-tests-for-staff-akal-takht-heads-orders-spark-sit-in-at-patna-sahib/1253754/ |archive-date=8 December 2022}}
The position of jathedar is not established by any constitutional document, but exists only by long-established convention, whereby a Sarbat Khalsa or an institution authorised by it appoints a person most likely to command the confidence of the Sikhs.{{cite journal |last1=Gill |first1=Kamaljit |title=Role of the vernacular press during the Gurdwara Reform Movement |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |date=1983 |volume=44 |pages=463–470 |jstor=44139886 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44139886 |access-date=12 December 2022 |issn=2249-1937}} The jathedar is supported by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and heads the other four jathedars of the takhts.{{cite book |last1=Ahluwalia |first1=Jasbir Singh |title=Liberating Sikhism from 'the Sikhs': Sikhisim's [sic] Potential for World Civilization |date=2003 |publisher=Unistar Books |location=Chandigarh |page=14 |language=en}} The jathedar also commands the Akali Nihangs, an armed Sikh warrior order started from the Akal Takht by the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind.{{cite book|last=Brard|first=Gurnam|title=East of Indus: My Memories of Old Punjab|year=2007|publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=9788170103608|page=185}}
The Akal Takht, the building directly opposite the Darbar Sahib, was founded by Guru Hargobind, as a symbol of political sovereignty and where spiritual and temporal concerns of the Sikh people can be addressed.Fahlbusch E. (ed.) [https://books.google.com/books?id=lZUBZlth2qgC&dq=harmandir+sahib&pg=PA10 "The encyclopedia of Christianity."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507080515/http://books.google.com/books?id=lZUBZlth2qgC&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&dq=harmandir+sahib&source=bl&ots=RdAjNWYmKJ&sig=FEqZjqZHo13SSN3Yrzr9TDNfqG8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pbxsUJm2FMjWigL48YGYBg&ved=0CD4Q6AEwBDgU#v=onepage&q=harmandir%20sahib&f=false |date=7 May 2014 }} Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-8028-2417-2}} Along with Baba Buddha and Bhai Gurdas, the sixth Guru built a concrete slab. When Guru Hargobind revealed the platform on 15 June 1606, he put on two swords: one indicated his spiritual authority (piri) and the other, his temporal authority (miri).{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Dr Kuldip|title=Akal Takht Ate Khalsa Panth|location=Chandigarh|page=2|url=http://panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPage.jsp?ID=40833&page=1&CategoryID=12&Searched=W3GX&sbtsro=1&viewall=1|ref=PL-000788|access-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021194818/http://panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPage.jsp?ID=40833&page=1&CategoryID=12&Searched=W3GX&sbtsro=1&viewall=1|archive-date=21 October 2016|url-status=live}}
History and development
= Title and etymology =
The word jathedar is a compound of {{Langx|pa|ਜੱਥਾ|translit=jathā|label=none|lit=troop}} and {{Langx|pa|ਦਾਰ|translit=dār|label=none|lit=keeper of}}, meaning leader of a troop or group as a collective.{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harbans |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |publisher=Punjabi University, Patiala |volume=2: E-L |pages=362–3}} The title is used for a general or commander of a Sikh military unit and applies to a head of a takht.{{cite book |last1=Hawley |first1=John Stratton |last2=Mann |first2=Gurinder Singh |title=Studying the Sikhs: Issues for North America |date=1 January 1993 |publisher=State University of New York Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-7914-1425-5 |page=178 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bTCFDfh7Qv4C&pg=PA178 |access-date=24 December 2022 |language=en}}
=Origin=
After the execution of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan, his son and successor Guru Hargobind bearing the two swords of {{Langx|pa|ਮੀਰੀ|translit=mīrī|label=none|lit=politics}} and {{Langx|pa|ਪੀਰੀ|translit=pīrī|label=none|lit=spirituality}} declared himself sovereign and defied the imperial edict of the Mugal Empire in 1606.{{cite book |last1=Dilgeer |first1=Harjinder Singh |title=The Akal Takht |date=1980 |publisher=Sikh University Press |location=Jalandhar}} Recognising the necessity of coordinating efforts against the Mughal empire, the Guru simultaneously began the process of militarising the Sikhs.{{cite book |last1=Puri |first1=Sunita |title=Advent of Sikh Religion: A Socio-political Perspective |date=1993 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Pub. |isbn=978-81-215-0572-7 |page=219 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UI_XAAAAMAAJ |access-date=24 December 2022 |language=en}} The first hukamnama issued from the Akal Takht on 30 June 1606 commanded the Sikhs to offer arms and horses.{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Surinderpal |title=Celebrating the foundation day of Akal Takht Sahib (Akal Bunga) |url=https://www.sikhri.org/celebrating_the_foundation_day_of_akal_takht_sahib_akal_bunga |website=Sikhri |access-date=29 May 2020}} The position of jathedar was established, when the Guru appointed Bhai Gurdas as the first custodian of the Akal Takht, which was then known as the Akal Bunga.{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Jarnail |title=Sikh Symposium 1985 |date=1986 |publisher=Sikh Social and Educational Society |isbn=978-0-8364-1840-8 |page=23 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XPotAAAAMAAJ&q=jathedar%20of%20akal%20takht%20bhai%20gurdas |access-date=10 November 2022 |language=en}} However, Guru Hargobind had to leave the Akal Takht in 1634 due to the hostilities of the Mughal rulers, and the institution came under the control of the Minas, followers of Prithi Chand, the excommunicated brother Guru Arjan.{{cite book |title=Abstracts of Sikh Studies Volume 9 |date=2007 |publisher=Institute of Sikh Studies |page=32 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ibzXAAAAMAAJ |access-date=24 December 2022 |language=en}}
Following the establishment of the Khalsa, which took effect on 13 April 1699, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh sent Bhai Mani Singh to Amritsar with instructions to take possession of the Darbar Sahib and the Akal Takht from the Minas.{{cite book |last1=Dhanoa |first1=Surain Singh |title=Raj Karega Khalsa |date=2005 |publisher=Sanbun Publishers |location=New Delhi |page=146 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNgVPP3dq4YC&pg=PA146 |access-date=24 December 2022 |language=en}} The Sikhs assigned Bhai Mani Singh as the head granthi of Harmandir Sahib and the jathedar of the Akal Takht. After the passing of Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikh divisions accepted the common leadership and sovereignty of the head of the Akal Takht.{{cite book |last1=Chauhan |first1=G.S. |title=The Gospel Of The Sikh Gurus |date=2005 |publisher=Hemkunt Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-7010-353-3 |page=xiv}}
=Sarbat Khalsa=
In 1733, Zakariya Khan Bahadur attempted to negotiate truce with the Sikhs by offering them a jagir, the title Nawab to their head, and unimpeded access to Amritsar. After discussion at a Sarbat Khalsa, Kapur Singh Virk was chosen head of the Sikhs and took the title of Nawab.{{Cite book|last=Gandhi|first=Surjit Singh|title=Struggle of the Sikhs for Sovereignty|publisher=Guru Das Kapur|year=1980|pages=335}} He combined the various Sikh militias into two groups; Taruna Dal for under 40 years of age and the Buddha Dal for over 40 years of age, which would collectively be known as Dal Khalsa.{{cite book|last=Singha|first=H. S.|title=Sikh Studies, Book 6|year=2005|publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=8170102588|page=37}} The Taruna Dal was further divided in five jathas, each with 1300 to 2000 men and a separate drum and banner.{{cite book|last1=Narang|first1=K. S.|last2=Gupta|first2=H. R.|title=History of Punjab: 1500 - 1558|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q6oGRgAACAAJ|access-date=15 July 2010 |page=216 |year=1969}} Considering Hari ke Pattan, where the Sutlej and Beas rivers meet as a reference point, the Taruna Dal was assigned to control the eastern area while the Buddha Dal controlled the west.{{cite book|last=Singha|first=H. S|title=The encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 entries)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gqIbJz7vMn0C&pg=PA39|access-date=16 July 2010|year=2000|publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=978-81-7010-301-1|pages=39–}}
On 23 March 1748, a Sarbat Khalsa appointed Jassa Singh Ahluwalia to take the command of Dal Khalsa and become the head of the Sikhs.{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Sewa |title=Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718-1783) |date=1984 |publisher=Punjab State Archives Department |location=Chandigarh |page=2 |url=http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPageContent.jsp?ID=3691&page=4&CategoryID=1&Searched=W3GX |access-date=12 December 2022}} Ahluwalia proclaimed the title of Sultan-ul-Qaum (Authority of the Nation) when the Sikhs under his leadership defeated the Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali and took Lahore without resistance in September 1761.{{Cite book|title=Advanced study in the history of modern India 1707–1813|last1=Mehta|first1=J. L.|year=2005|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-1-932705-54-6|page=303|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA250 |access-date=2010-09-23}} The 40,000 allied forces of Baghel Singh, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia conquered the Red Fort in Delhi and hoisted the Nishan Sahib atop on 11 March 1783. The condition of their retreat included the construction of seven gurdwaras marking Sikh historical sites in Delhi.{{Cite book|last=Murphy|first=Anne|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r13hjYfoI6MC&pg=PA151|title=The Materiality of the Past: History and Representation in Sikh Tradition|date=29 November 2012|publisher=OUP USA|isbn=978-0-19-991629-0|language=en}}
=Dispute=
A Sarbat Khalsa convened by Sikh organisations opposed to the influence of Shiromani Akali Dal over Sikh religious institutions in 2015 appointed Jagtar Singh Hawara as the Jathedar of Akal Takht. The SGPC president at that time, Avtar Singh Makkar, however condemned the convening as against the principles of Sikhism and its decisions null and void. He added that the removal of Jathedars came under Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 and no one could challenge the authority of the SGPC.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/community/at-sarbat-khalsa-hardliners-appoint-hawara-akal-takht-jathedar/156857.html |title=At Sarbat Khalsa, hardliners appoint Hawara Akal Takht Jathedar |access-date=2018-08-07 |archive-date=2018-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807095825/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/community/at-sarbat-khalsa-hardliners-appoint-hawara-akal-takht-jathedar/156857.html |url-status=dead }} Giani Gurbachan Singh continued to remain in his post until his resignation on 18 October 2018. On 23 October, the SGPC appointed Giani Harpreet Singh as the acting jathedar of Akal Takht.{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/giani-harpreet-singh-appointed-acting-jathedar-of-akal-takht/story-SkMVpfzBo7Mj7Ts3W2MC1N.html|title=Giani Harpreet Singh is Akal Takht acting jathedar|author=Surjit Singh|work=Hindustan Times|date=23 October 2018|access-date=4 February 2023}}
Qualifications and selection
File:Akal Takht Jathedar Harpreet Singh and Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad with Sikh children on 12 November 2022.jpg in New Zealand.]]
The jathedar serves at the Khalsa's pleasure, meaning the post does not have a fixed term, and once appointed, the jathedar remains in service until they resign, are dismissed, or die.
Chapter IV, Article V of the Sikh Rehat Maryada only permits an initiated Sikh to enter the hallowed enclosures of a takht; therefore, only a Khalsa Sikh of high regard can become a jathedar.{{cite book |title=The Code of Conduct and Conventions |publisher=Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee |location=Amritsar |url=https://sgpc.net/sikh-rehat-maryada-in-english/ |access-date=8 December 2022}} Prior to 1921, jathedars were appointed by the Sarbat Khalsa, a biannual deliberative assembly of the Sikhs held at Amritsar.{{cite book |last1=Romana |first1=Karamjit Kaur |title=Role of Akal Takht in Sikh history |date=2018 |publisher=Guru Kashi University Talwandi Sabo |location=Talwandi Sabo |url=https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1804010.pdf |access-date=8 December 2022}} Since 1921, the jathedar of takhts have generally been appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.{{cite journal |last1=McLeod |first1=W. H. |title=Discord in the Sikh Panth |journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society |date=1999 |volume=119 |issue=3 |publisher=American Oriental Society |pages=381–389 |doi=10.2307/605931 |jstor=605931 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/605931 |access-date=10 December 2022}}
Role and authority
Chapter XIII, Article XXVII of the Sikh Rehat Maryada allows for an appeal against a local decision concerning the Sikhs to be made to the Akal Takht. The jathedar of the Akal Takht has the de facto power to summoned Sikhs including those who hold a position of authority to be trialed.{{cite book |last1=Tiwana |first1=Jagpal Singh |title=The Sikh Review Volume 58, Issues 673-678 |date=2010 |publisher=Sikh Cultural Centre |pages=34–35 |language=en}} Hukamnamas issued by the jathedar from the Akal Takht which are binding may order an acquittal, penalty or excommunication.{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Teja |title=The Gurdwara Reform Movement And The Sikh Awakening |date=15 December 1922 |publisher=Ruchi Ram Sahni |location=Lahore |page=iv |url=http://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPage.jsp?ID=9070&page=1&CategoryID=1&Searched=W3GX&sbtsro=1&viewall=1 |access-date=10 December 2022}} The Khalsa can hold individuals accountable for violating the decisions of the Akal Takht.{{cite book |last1=Gulashan |first1=Gurbakhsh Singh |title=Understanding Sikh Rehat Maryada |date=2015 |publisher=Khalsa Pracharak Jatha |location=Essex, UK |isbn=9780957585911 |page=311 |url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/understanding-sikh-rehat-maryada-uaz872/#mz-expanded-view-396455093240 |access-date=24 December 2022 |language=en}}
List
;Colour key
{{legend2|#e5e5e5|Guru|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#ffb800|Sarbat Khalsa|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#0000ff|Buddha Dal|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#0876ff|SGPC|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style=text-align:center;"
|+ {{sronly|List of jathedars of the Akal Takht from 1618 – present.}} ! scope=col rowspan=2 class=unsortable | {{Abbr|No.|Number}} ! scope=col rowspan=2 class=unsortable | Portrait ! scope=col rowspan=2 | Name ! scope=colgroup class=unsortable colspan=3 | Term ! scope=col rowspan=2 colspan=2 | Assigned by ! scope=col rowspan=2 class=unsortable | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope=col class=unsortable | Start
! scope=col class=unsortable | End ! scope=col class=unsortable | Duration |
|---|
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 1 | 150px | align="center"|Gurdas Bhalla | 1606 | 1637{{ref label|Died|ੴ}} | 31 years ! style="background:#e5e5e5;"| |
| colspan="9" |Usurped by Mina leaders Harji and his sons from 1640 to 1698.{{Cite journal |last=Virk |first=Sukhdeep Kaur |date=2009 |title=Conceptualizing the Belief and Practices of Followers of Sodhis of Guru Sahai |journal=Journal of Sikh Studies |location=Amritsar |publisher=Department of Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University |volume=33}} |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 2 | 150px | align="center"|Mani Singh | 1699 | 1737{{ref label|Died|ੴ}} | 38 years ! style="background:#e5e5e5;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 3 | 150px | align="center"|Darbara Singh | 1722 | 1734{{ref label|Died|ੴ}} | 12 years ! style="background:#ffb800;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 4 | align="center"|Kapur Singh | 1737 | 29 March | 14 years ! style="background:#ffb800;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 5 | align="center"|Jassa Singh Ahluwalia | 29 March | 23 October | {{age in years and days|1748|03|29|1783|10|23}} ! style="background:#ffb800;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 6 | 150px | align="center"|Phula Singh | 1800 | 1823{{ref label|Died|ੴ}} | 23 years ! style="background:#ffb800;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 7 | 150px | align="center"|Hanuman Singh | 1823 | 1846{{ref label|Died|ੴ}} | 23 years ! style="background:#0000ff;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 8 | align="center"|Prahlad Singh | 1846 | 1865{{ref label|Died|ੴ}} | 19 years ! style="background:#0000ff;"| |
| colspan="9" |Usurped by sarbarahs appointed by the British Indian Government from 1859 to 1920: Jodh Singh (1859–1862), Mangal Singh Ramgarhia (1862–1879), Man Singh Waraich (1879–1890), Arjan Singh Chahal (1890–1896), Jawala Singh (1896–1902) and Arur Singh Shergill (1902–1920).{{cite book |last1=Myrvold |first1=Kristina |title=Sikh News in India, 1864-1924: Colonial Reports on Vernacular Newspapers of Punjab Volume Two: Religious Places, Practices, and Relations |date=2 December 2024 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-70708-5 |access-date=10 March 2025 |language=en |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BSs0EQAAQBAJ}}{{cite book |last1=Griffin |first1=Lepel H. |title=The Punjab Chiefs |date=1865 |publisher=T. C. McCarthy Chronicle Press |location=Lahore }} |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 9 | align="center"|Teja Singh Bhuchar | 12 October | 29 April | {{age in years and days|1920|10|12|1921|04|29}} ! style="background:#ffb800;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 10 | 150px | align="center"|Teja Singh Akarpuri | {{small|29 April}} | {{small|13 October}} | {{age in years and days|1921|04|29|1923|10|13}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 11 | 150px | align="center"|Udham Singh Nagoke | {{small|13 October}} | {{small|9 February}} | {{age in years and days|1923|10|13|1924|02|09}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 12 | 150px | align="center"|Acchar Singh | {{small|09 February}} | {{small|10 January}} | {{age in years and days|1924|02|09|1926|01|10}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! — | 150px | align="center"|Udham Singh Nagoke | {{small|10 January}} | short period | Less than a year ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! — | 150px | align="center"|Teja Singh Akarpuri | {{small|27 November}} | {{small|21 January}} | {{age in years and days|1926|11|27|1930|01|21}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 13 | align="center"|Didar Singh | 1925 | short period | Less than a year ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 14 | align="center"|Jawaher Singh Mattu Bhaike | 1926 | short period | Less than a year ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 15 | 150px | align="center"|Gurmukh Singh Musafir | 1931 | 1934 | 3 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 16 | 150px | align="center"|Vasakha Singh Dadehar | {{small|October}} | {{small|December}} | {{age in years and days|1934|10|01|1934|12|01}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC | |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 17 | align="center"|Mohan Singh Nagoke | 1935 | 1952 | 17 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 18 | 150px | align="center"|Partap Singh | 1938 | 1948 | 10 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! — | 150px | align="center"|Partap Singh | 1952 | 1954{{ref label|Died|ੴ}} | 2 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! — | 150px | align="center"|Acchar Singh | {{small|23 May}} | {{small|08 November}} | {{age in years and days|1955|05|23|1962|11|08}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 19 | 150px | align="center"|Mohan Singh Tur | 1962 | 1963 | 1 year ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 20 | align="center"|Kirpal Singh | 1963 | 1965 | 2 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 21 | align="center"|Sadhu Singh Bhaura | 1964 | 1980 | 16 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 22 | 150px | align="center"|Gurdial Singh Ajnoha | {{small|2 March}} | {{small|18 March}} | {{age in years and days|1980|03|02|1982|03|18}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! — | align="center"|Kirpal Singh | 1982 | {{small|26 July}} | 4 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 23 | align="center"|Jasbir Singh Rode | {{small|26 January}} | {{small|20 May}} | {{age in years and days|1986|01|26|1988|05|20}} ! style="background:#ffb800;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 24 | 150px | align="center"|Gurdev Singh Kaunke | {{small|26 January}} | {{small|1 January}} | {{age in years and days|1986|01|26|1993|01|01}} ! style="background:#ffb800;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 25 | align="center"|Gurbachan Singh Manochahal | {{small|27 April}} | {{small|26 January}} | {{age in years and days|1986|04|27|1987|01|26}} ! style="background:#ffb800;"| |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 26 | align="center"|Darshan Singh | {{small|31 December}} | {{small|9 March}} | {{age in years and days|1986|12|31|1988|03|09}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! — | align="center"|Darshan Singh | 1989 | 1990 | 1 year ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 27 | align="center"|Ranjit Singh | 1994 | {{small|March}} | 5 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 28 | align="center"|Manjit Singh | 1994 | 1997 | 3 years ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 29 | align="center"|Puran Singh | {{small|10 February}} | {{small|April}} | {{age in years and days|1999|02|10|1999|04|1}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! — | align="center"|Puran Singh | {{small|April}} | {{small|28 March}} | {{age in years and days|1999|04|01|2000|03|28}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 30 | align="center"|Joginder Singh Vedanti | {{small|28 March}} | {{small|6 August}} | {{age in years and days|2000|03|28|2008|08|06}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 31 | align="center"|Gurbachan Singh | {{small|06 August}} | {{small|18 October}} | {{age in years and days|2008|08|06|2018|10|18}} ! style="background:#0876ff;"| | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 32 | align="center" |Jagtar Singh Hawara | {{small|10 November}} | Incumbent | {{age in years and days|2015|11|10|sep=, ! style="background:#ffb800;" | |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 33 | align="center" |Dhian Singh Mand | {{small|10 November}} | Incumbent | {{age in years and days|2015|11|10|sep=, ! style="background:#ffb800;" | |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 34 | 150px | align="center" | Harpreet Singh | {{small|22 October}} | {{small|16 June}} | {{age in years and days|22 October 2018|16 June 2023|sep= ! style="background:#0876ff;" | | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 35 | align="center" | Raghbir Singh | {{small|22 June}} | {{small|7 March}} | {{age in years and days|2023|06|22|2025|03|07}} ! style="background:#0876ff;" | | SGPC |
| style="background:#EEEEEE"
! 36 | align="center" |Kuldeep Singh Gargaj | {{small|7 March}} | Incumbent | {{age in years and days|2025|03|07|sep=, ! style="background:#0876ff;" | | SGPC |
{{flatlist |style=padding-left:1.6em |
- {{note|Died|ੴ|Died during term}}
}}
Timeline of jathedars
The following timeline depicts the progression of the jathedars.
- Jathedar of the Akal Takht
ImageSize = width:1200 height:auto barincrement:18
PlotArea = top:10 bottom:20 right:130 left:10
AlignBars = late
DateFormat = x.y
Period = from:1604 till:{{#expr:{{#time:Y}}+{{#time:m}}/6}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:10 start:1606
ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1605
Define $now = {{#expr:{{#time:Y}}+{{#time:m}}/12}}
Colors =
id:Guru value:rgb(0.9, 0.9, 0.9)
id:minas value:green
id:sarbatkhalsa value:rgb(1, 0.7216, 0)
id:buddhadal value:rgb(0, 0, 1)
id:british value:red
id:SGPC value:rgb(0.1, 0.5, 1)
BarData =
barset:JathedarLine
barset:Jathedars
#barset:blankline
bar:Akarpuri
bar:Nagoke
bar:Acchar
bar:Didar
bar:Jawaher
bar:Musafir
bar:Dadehar
bar:Mohan
bar:Partap
bar:Tur
bar:Kirpal
bar:Bhaura
bar:Ajnoha
bar:Rode
bar:Kaunke
bar:Manochahal
bar:Darshan
bar:Ranjit
bar:Manjit
bar:Puran
bar:Vedanti
bar:Gurbachan
bar:Hawara
bar:Mand
bar:Harpreet
bar:Raghbir
bar:Kuldeep
PlotData=
width:1 align:right fontsize:S shift:(-3,-4) anchor:from fontsize:8 color:black
barset:JathedarLine
from:1630 till:end text:Jathedars
width:6 align:left fontsize:S shift:(5,-4) anchor:till fontsize:10
barset:Jathedars
from:1606 till:1637 color:guru text:"Gurdas Bhalla"
from:1640 till:1698 color:minas text:"Minas"
from:1699 till:1737 color:guru text:"Mani Singh"
from:1722 till:1734 color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Darbara Singh"
from:1734 till:1748 color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Kapur Singh Virk"
from:1748 till:1783 color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Jassa Singh Ahluwalia"
from:1800 till:1823 color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Phula Singh"
from:1823 till:1846 color:buddhadal text:"Hanuman Singh"
from:1846 till:1865 color:buddhadal text:"Prahlad Singh"
from:1859 till:1920 color:british text:"Sarbarahs"
from:1920 till:1921 color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Teja Singh Bhuchar"
bar:Akarpuri
from:1921 till:1923 color:SGPC
from:1926 till:1930 color:SGPC text:"Teja Singh Akarpuri"
bar:Nagoke
from:1923 till:1924 color:SGPC
from:1926 till:1926 color:SGPC text:"Udham Singh Nagoke"
bar:Acchar
from:1924 till:1926 color:SGPC
from:1955 till:1962 color:SGPC text:"Acchar Singh"
bar:Didar
from:1925 till:1925 color:SGPC text:"Didar Singh"
bar:Jawaher
from:1926 till:1926 color:SGPC text:"Jawaher Singh Mattu Bhaike"
bar:Musafir
from:1931 till:1934 color:SGPC text:"Gurmukh Singh Musafir"
bar:Dadehar
from:1934 till:1934 color:SGPC text:"Vasakha Singh Dadehar"
bar:Mohan
from:1935 till:1952 color:SGPC text:"Mohan Singh Nagoke"
bar:Partap
from:1938 till:1948 color:SGPC
from:1952 till:1954 color:SGPC text:"Partap Singh"
bar:Tur
from:1962 till:1963 color:SGPC text:"Mohan Singh Tur"
bar:Kirpal
from:1963 till:1965 color:SGPC
from:1982 till:1986 color:SGPC text:"Kirpal Singh"
bar:Bhaura
from:1964 till:1980 color:SGPC text:"Sadhu Singh Bhaura"
bar:Ajnoha
from:1980 till:1983 color:SGPC text:"Gurdial Singh Ajnoha"
bar:Rode
from:1986 till:1989 color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Jasbir Singh Rode"
bar:Kaunke
from:1986 till:1993 color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Gurdev Singh Kaunke"
bar:Manochahal
from:1986 till:1987 color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Gurbachan Singh Manochahal"
bar:Darshan
from:1986 till:1988 color:SGPC
from:1989 till:1990 color:SGPC text:"Darshan Singh"
bar:Ranjit
from:1994 till:1999 color:SGPC text:"Ranjit Singh"
bar:Manjit
from:1994 till:1997 color:SGPC text:"Manjit Singh"
bar:Puran
from:1999 till:2000 color:SGPC text:"Puran Singh"
bar:Vedanti
from:2000 till:2008 color:SGPC text:"Joginder Singh Vedanti"
bar:Gurbachan
from:2008 till:2018 color:SGPC text:"Gurbachan Singh"
bar:Hawara
from:2015 till:$now color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Jagtar Singh Hawara"
bar:Mand
from:2015 till:$now color:sarbatkhalsa text:"Dhian Singh Mand"
bar:Harpreet
from:2018 till:2023 color:sgpc text:"Harpreet Singh"
bar:Raghbir
from:2023 till:2025 color:sgpc text:"Raghbir Singh"
bar:Kuldeep
from:2025 till:$now color:sgpc text:"Kuldeep Singh Gargaj"
LineData=
#These are the colored bars of the Legend:
atpos:134 from:1615 till:1618 color:guru
atpos:121 from:1615 till:1618 color:minas
atpos:108 from:1615 till:1618 color:sarbatkhalsa
atpos:95 from:1615 till:1618 color:buddhadal
atpos:82 from:1615 till:1618 color:british
atpos:69 from:1615 till:1618 color:sgpc
TextData=
#This is the text of the Legend
pos:(56,143)
text:"Guru"
text:"Minas"
text:"Sarbat Khalsa"
text:"Buddha Dal"
text:"British Indian Government"
text:"Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee"
}}
Notes
{{notelist}}