Gurmata

A Gurmata (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਮਤਾ; literally, 'Guru's intention' or 'advice of the Guru'), alternatively romanized as Gurumatta, is an order upon a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion and is binding upon all Sikhs.^[1]

Role

Gurmata is similar to Fatwa in the Muslim tradition with a difference that Fatwa is not binding on all Muslims while Gurmata is binding on all Khalsa, however it is not binding on non-Khalsa Sikhs.^[2][3][4]

History

Gurmatas were used in the 18th century to refer to the resolutions passed by the Sarbat Khalsa, a large gathering of esteemed Sikhs.^[5] In the 18th century, gurmatas were issued during Baisakhi and Diwali gatherings.^[6] Most of the gurmatas were issued from Amritsar for logistical reasons since the Sikh would gather at the city for the aforementioned celebrations.^[6]

Significant Gurmatas

Date	Significance
October/November 1723	Tat Khalsa and Bandai Khalsa settle their differences.[citation needed]
1726	Sarbat Khalsa passes Gurmata to raid Mughal precious metal transports, confiscate Mughal armories, and eliminate Mughal informers[7]
1733	Sarbat Khalsa accepts jagir given by Mughal government[citation needed]
14 October 1745	During Diwali, the Sarbat Khalsa passes Gurmata organizing Khalsa into 25 jathas[8]
29 March 1748	Sarbat Khalsa passes Gurmata reorganizing Khalsa into 11 misls[9]
1753	Official establishment of the Rakhi system[10]
7 November 1760	Sarbat Khalsa passes Gurmata to attack Lahore[11]
27 October 1761	Gurmata passed during the annual Diwali meeting at Amritsar that supporters, such as agents, informers and collaborators, of the Durrani Empire must be annihilated.[12][13] The first target chosen was Aqil Das, then-head of the heretical Hindali sect and colluder of Ahmad Shah Abdali.[13] Also decided in this Gurmata was that Sikhs should take control of Lahore.[14]
1805	Pursuance of the Maratha leader Yashwantrao Holkar by the British military in the Punjab[15]
1920	Teja Singh Bhuchhar was announced as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht[citation needed]
26 January 1986	Sarbat Khalsa elects and inaugurates 5 member panthik committee to make decisions on behalf of the Sikh diaspora.[citation needed]
16 February 1986	Sarbat Khalsa was held at Anandpur Sahib (City of Bliss).[citation needed] Sarbat Khalsa unified the panth.[citation needed]
10 November 2015	Sarbat Khalsa was held at Chabba Village, where Jagtar Singh Hawara was appointed new Jathedar of Akal Takht.[citation needed]

See also

• Hukamnama, an injunction or edict issued by the Sikh gurus, their officiated followers, the Takhts, or taken from the Guru Granth Sahib
• Rakhi system, the protection tax implemented by the Sikh Confederacy
• Sarbat Khalsa