Sikh chola

Sikh Chola (Punjabi: ਚੋਲਾ (Gurmukhi), romanized: Cōlā, lit. 'Robe') is traditional dress worn by Sikhs.^[1][2]

Sikh Chola
ਚੋਲਾ

Preserved Sikh chola
Type	Indian (specifically Punjabi)
Place of origin	Punjab

Description

It is a martial attire which gives freedom of movement to a Sikh warrior.^[3][4] Sikh Chola is also unisex attire, and may also be decorated with heavy embroidery all over it or on the chest.

Preserved examples

There are preserved chola relics and artefacts that were worn by the Sikh Gurus.^[5] A particular Khilka-type Chola believed to have belonged to Guru Nanak has garnered considerable attention and study.^[6] A preserved chola of Guru Hargobind linked to the tale of his release from Gwalior Fort with fifty-two fellow prisoners is believed to be preserved at Ghudani Kalan village in Ludhiana district of Punjab, India.^[7]

Gallery

• 
  19th century painting depicting Guru Nanak wearing robe with Perso-Arabic inscriptions
• 
  Historical painting of Guru Hargobind dressed in chola
• 
  Historical painting of Guru Gobind Singh dressed in chola
• 
  Chola of Guru Gobind Singh.
• 
  Clothing relics of Guru Gobind Singh kept by Bhai Behlo's descendants
• 
  Depiction of Bhai Alam Singh 'Nachna' (died 1705), a close companion of Guru Gobind Singh, wearing chola
• 
  Circa 1750 painting of Guru Hargobind (also identified as Guru Har Rai) and an attendant wearing chola
• 
  Painting of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh standing wearing chola

See also

• Sikh art and culture
• Dastar
• Rumāl
• Patka
• Thatha