-
The Namdharis was a movement that goes back to the late 18th century in Punjab India, where Baba Balak Singh was the guider and considered the first Namdhari Guru and the eleventh guru of the sikh religion. As a Namdhari each member is given amrit at a young age meaning no meat, alcohol or drugs are consumed.
-
A century later there's a new leader introduced to the Namdhari movement, Ram Singh where the practice of Naam Simran (meditative chanting) became a thing. During this time the British had started playing a role in this movement and there was a rejection of British authority that occurred. The British build a slaughterhouse near the golden temple (Sikh holy temple)
-
Conflict between the British authorities and the Namdharis since the leader Ram Singh and the Namdharis followers engaged in many conflicts with the British which then caused the Kuka Movement in the 1870s.
-
The British police approached the Namdharis and executed 65 Namdharis. Ram Singh was arrested in 1972 and then later died in prison which led to many struggles with the Namdhari movement.
-
Consolidation and new leader roles were built with gurus that way they could lead the communities
-
Modernization and globalization start to come into the picture as promoting education and the power of women start to be reformed. In Sikhi it is believed that women and men are equal so the Namdharis found it important fighting for these rights.
-
Today the Namdhari movement engages with fighting for their rights and independence. As of right now Punjab is protesting for their rights as farmers. They continue to fight for what's right.