The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism
throughout Sikh History
Page 4 of 4
Sutra
Shaieh cont'd
By the 19th century, as the Sanatan Sikh kingdoms
got established, many Suthra Shahis degenerated.
Pundit Ganesha Singh Nirmala wrote:
‘Initiating
through ‘Charna Phaul’ to make
disciples, to give mantra of ‘Satnam’,
to accept none other than God, Guru and
Devi, beg a coin from shops and do no other
work. Keeping a moustache to shave
clean the head. Eating meat or alcohol is
not banned, nor getting married. To stay
intoxicated in cannabis, ‘Charas’
etc. intoxicants and not to look at learning.
In many towns of the Punjab are to be found
their residences.’
‘Bharat Mat Darpan’, by Pundit
Ganesha Singh Nirmala, 1926, Pa. 90
Sutra Shahi
Painting of a Sutra Shahi Sikh in a marketplace,
circa mid 18th century
In his translation of Adi Guru Durbar in 1877,
Ernest Trumpp also spoke of
the Suthra Shahieh of his time as being Punjabi
slang for drunkenness and debauchery. Yet Giani
Gian Singh Nirmala spoke of Suthra
Shahieh of late 19th century thus:
‘This [is] the Panth
of the [Sikh] Guru. The way they got the
name. Satgur Nanak was called ‘Shah’
(king). So they attained the title ‘Shah’.
The traditions that are all of the Guru’s
house. With pride Suthreh keep them. They
teach ‘Satnam’ mantra.
The water of the feet they give to make
disciples. They recite the Guru’s
words [Sikh scripture]. Considering it the
treasure of all comforts they read the Guru
Granth. They believe in worship of one God.
Other than [Sikh] Guru and ‘Devi’
(Chandi) they consider none as their ‘Pir’
(spiritual guide). They have no
earnings or work. Begging money
of shops they eat.’
‘Naveen Panth Prakash’, Giani
Gian Singh Nirmala, edited by Giani Kirpal
Singh, Vol. V, Pa. 2846
It seems Giani Gian Singh encountered the positive
element still existing in the then Suthra Shahieh.
In time Suthra Shahi merged back into the Udhasis.
Udhasi Sikh
An Udhasi Sadhu from Nanded, Maharastra, circa
early 20th century
