Satnampanth

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This article is about the religious sect founded by Guru Ghasidas. For another sect also sometimes called Satnami sect, see Sadh.

Satnampanth, also called Satnami Samaj or Satnami movement, is a religious sect founded by Ghasidas in the 1820s in present-day Chhattisgarh. Now, Satnamis are formed into a caste group and listed as Scheduled Caste in Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

History

The sect was founded by Birbhan and later got revived by Guru Ghasidas in the 1820s in present-day Chhattisgarh.[1] According to M. A. Sherring, he may have been influenced by the teachings of Ravidas though some believe he was inspired by Kabir, through the Kabirpanthis in Chhattisgarh.[2]

Sadhs were the followers of Birbhan of Bijesar (Narnaul, Haryana) who used to keep head clean and lived ascetic life. In 1672 the followers of Birbhan fought against Nawab of Narnaul after some quarrel and he got killed. Mughal Emperor sent a huge force in which Satnamis fought along with local chieftains.[3] This episode is called as Satnami Revolt.[4]

Most of the followers of Satnampanth were only from Chamar community of Chattisgarh and they are used as a synonymous in the state. But since 1800s they have been making efforts to change to only be called as 'Satnami' not as 'Chamar' and started using their sect name as caste name. Naindas, the Satnami leader was instrumental in officially changing the caste name from Chamar to Satnami in Chattisgarh.[5][6][7]

Tradition

After marriage of Satnamis, a ceremony called Satlok happens within three year of marriage or after first child and only after that they will be considered as part of sect. After death of any member they observe mourning for three days and shave their heads. There are division among them, e.g - Chungia who not harshly practice the doctrine of abstaining from tobacco and all. Then there are Jaharia who never sleeps on bed, only wear white clothes and eaf nothing other than pulse & rice.[8]

Present circumstances

Satnamis are around 65 percent of the Scheduled Caste population in Chhattisgarh.[9] In the Janjgir-Champa district, Dalits account for more than 50% of the population and Satnamis are 80% of the total SC population.

Satnamis weild power in political arena of the state and produced many key political leaders. They have been active voter of Congress and BSP also have a great presence in them. BSP founder Kanshi Ram fought his first election from Janjgir Champa constituency which is power bastion of Satnamis.[10] Satnami religious leaders - Guru Baldas, Minimata Agam Dass Guru, Guru Rudra Kumar, etc have been active in politics and Ajit Jogi a Satnami converted Christian became first Cheif Minister of Chattisgarh his son Amit Jogi and Dr.Renu are also a politician.[11][12] Other leaders like D.P Dhritlehre and Dau Ram Ratnakar were big Satnami leader.[13][14][15]

Inspite of having a seperate identity and political power Satnami people face caste atrocity and discrimination. In recent years atrocities against Satnamis increased.[16]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Dalal, Roshen (2014-04-18). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9.
  2. ^ Lamb 2002, p. 52.
  3. ^ Kumar, Praveen. Complete Indian History for IAS Exam: Highly Recommended for IAS, PCS and other Competitive Exam. Educreation Publishing.
  4. ^ "The peasant rebels of the Satnami Rebellion". www.downtoearth.org.in. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  5. ^ Lamb, Ramdas (2012-02-01). Rapt in the Name: The Ramnamis, Ramnam, and Untouchable Religion in Central India. State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-8856-0.
  6. ^ Pandey, Gyanendra (2006). Routine Violence: Nations, Fragments, Histories. Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-5264-0.
  7. ^ Commissioner, India Census (1902). Census of India, 1901: Central Provinces. 3 pts. Government Central Press.
  8. ^ Russell, Robert Vane (2020-09-28). The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India (Volumes I and II). Library of Alexandria. ISBN 978-1-4655-8294-2.
  9. ^ "Chhattisgarh polls: Smaller caste groups wrest their due from parties -Politics News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  10. ^ Singh, Sanjay. "BSP hopes to play kingmaker in Chhattisgarh". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  11. ^ "Satnami Sect's Guru Baldas Joins Congress, May Alter Caste Dynamics in Chhattisgarh". News18. 2018-11-08. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  12. ^ Jul 23, PTI /; 2007; Ist, 20:46. "SC's notice to Ajit Jogi on "fraudulent" caste certificate row | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2022-10-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "Former Minister Dhritlehre no more". www.thehitavada.com. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  14. ^ mediabest (2018-11-05). "The way the cookie crumbles for the BSP". Top Indi News. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  15. ^ "In Chhattisgarh, Janjgir only constituency that will witness triangular contest between BJP, Congress, BSP this election-Politics News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 2019-04-22. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  16. ^ "'Problem graver than Una': Chhattisgarh Dalits up in arms over custodial death". Hindustan Times. 2016-10-30. Retrieved 2022-10-19.

Sources

External links


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