Дамдами Таксал: Сікх мәдени және білім беру ұйымы

Sikh cultural and educational organization

The Damdamī Ṭaksāl, also sometimes referred to as Giani Samparda, Jatha Bhindra(n), or Sampardai Bhindra(n) is an orthodox Khalsa Sikh cultural and educational organization, based in India. They are known for their teachings of vidya as well as gurbani santhiya. Its headquarters are located in the town of Mehta Chowk, approximately 40 km north of the city of Amritsar. It has been described as a seminary or “moving university” of the Sikh countryside.

In 1706, after the Battle of Muktsar, the Khalsa Army of Guru Gobind Singh camped at Sabo Ki Talwandi. This acted as a damdamā, or halting place (lit. "breathing place"), and is now the site of Takht Sri Damdamā Sahib. That year, Guru Gobind Singh is said to have founded a distinguished school of exegesis, later headed up by Baba Deep Singh. Damdamā Sahib was considered to be the highest seat of learning for the Sikhs during the 18th century, and Damdami Taksal claims direct historical ties to Guru Gobind Singh, The word ṭaksāl (lit. 'mint') refers to an education institute; which is a community of students who associate themselves with a particular sant (lit. spiritual leader or saint). The main center of the present day Damdami Taksal (Jatha Bhindran Mehta) is located at Gurdwārā Gurdarshan Parkāsh in Mehta, Amritsar. He devoted his entire life to teaching the enunciation and intonation in reciting the Sikh scriptures. He trained a large number of gianīs, traditional Sikh scholars, through his mobile seminary. When he died in 1969 he was succeeded by two contenders, Giani Mohan Singh (1919–2020), leading the original Bhindrāṅ Kalāṅ branch in Ludhiana and Kartar Singh Khalsa (1932–1977), leading the Mehtā branch in Amritsar district. and remains an influential figure. The influence of Bhindran Taksal is attested by the fact that its alumni include the mukkh granthī (chief narrator) at the Golden Temple, jathedārs of various Sikh takhts, and granthīs (narrators) of major gurdwaras. The dispute#tag:ref|When Indira Gandhi came onto the stage in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, while all those on the stage arose to welcome and respect her, but it was only Kartar Singh Bhindranwale remained seated. On the stage Kartar Singh spoke saying no one is more powerful than our Guru and we are not required to get up and pay respect to her, he was applauded by the people. the Anandpur Resolution, the Dharam Yudh Morcha of 1982, and later Operation Blue Star and the Khalistan movement and insurgency.

TermDescriptionNo. NameImageStartEndCitation(s)1. Baba Deep Singh170617572. Baba Gurbaksh Singh 175717613. Bhai Soorat Singh 17614. Bhai Gurdas Singh 5. Giani Sant Singh 18326. Sant Giani Daya Singh 18327. Sant Giani Bhagwan Singh 8. Sant Giani Harnam Singh Bedi 18859. Sant Bishan Singh Muralewale 1885190710. Sant Sundar Singh Bhindranwale 1907193011. Sant Gurbachan Singh Bhindranwale 1930196912. Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale 1969197713. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale 1977198414. Baba Thakur Singh Bhindranwale 1984200415. Sant Baba Harnam Singh2004Present

After the death of Gurbachan Singh, there was a succession dispute between Giani Mohan Singh and Kartar Singh, the later of whom would later be accepted as the jathedar (leader). Furthermore, after the death of Thakur Singh, the leadership of Taksal as was handed over to Giani Ram Singh Sangrawa by the SGPC in January 2005. Despite this, senior leadership and members of Taksal accepted Harnam Singh Khalsa as the successor. Giani Ram Singh Sangrawa now heads a breakaway group as "mukh sevadar" (chief servicemember). Controversy exists over whether or not Baba Harnam Singh or Giani Ram Singh can claim "jathedari" (leadership status), or if the individuals are merely "mukh sevadar" (chief servicemembers) or "mukhi" (chiefs).

The Damdami Taksal have their own Sikh Code of Conduct, the Gurmat Rehat Maryada, which differs from the Rehat Maryada published by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. Some differences include the reading of Ragmala after Akhand Path. It is well known for prioritizing extreme discipline & strictness within the Sikh lifestyle.

The Damdami Taksal who cite the Guru Granth Sahib advocate a strict lacto vegetarian diet. Eating meat is not allowed in any form including eggs, fish and gelatine. Sant Gurbachan Singh Bhandranwale studied the famous Faridkot Teeka authored by Nirmala scholars.