Sikhism is originated in India. Its believers are "Sikhs", which means disciples. They follow teachings of 10 gurus (teachers of religion). The Sikh holy book is called the "Adi Granth" and includes the teachings of these gurus and others. The first Sikh teacher, Guru Nanak, began to preach around the year 1500. He tried to unite a broken, confused India. For example, Sikhism includes the Islamic belief in one God and like Islam, forbids the worship of religious images. Sikhism also adopted the Hindu belief in reincarnation. According to this belief, after the body dies, the soul is reborn in the body of an animal or of another human being. Sikhism also includes the Hindu doctrine of karma. This doctrine states that a person’s actions determine what kind of animal or human being his soul will enter in the next life. Nanak told his followers to avoid worldly activities and lead peaceful, righteous lives.
Abandoning 'Ego' is highly desirable.
After his death, the Sikh community developed military power to defend themselves against the Muslims (Mughals). In 1669, Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru, led a brotherhood of Sikh soldiers in many battles for religious independence.
The Sikhs fought to establish a separate kingdom until 1849 when they were conquered by the British. After Indian independence in 1947, the Sikhs demanded their own state in India. In 1966, the govt created the state of Punjab which is partially controlled by Sikhs. Amritsar, the holy city of Sikhism is in the Punjab.
