Punjabi vs Sikh
“Punjabi” and “Sikh” are two different terms that people often get confused about. While “Sikh” is a religion, “Punjabi” is a broader term used for all people living in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, regardless of their religion.
Punjabi
Punjabi (Punjabi people) is an ethnic group that originates from the Punjab region. These people are Indo-Aryans of North Indian origin and form parts of Rajasthan, Kashmir, Indian and Pakistani Punjab. Punjabi identity was primarily linguistic and cultural, with the Punjabi language being their first spoken language. More recently, the definition has changed to include all emigrants who maintain Punjabi traditions, even if they may no longer speak the Punjabi language. Collectively, Punjabis are primarily the people of Punjab. There is no doubt that they are divided into tribes and castes, and many of them are not exclusively residents of Punjab. There are more than 120 million Punjabis around the world. As an ethnic group, they are among the largest and the second largest ethnic group in the world after Bengal in South Asia.
Sikh
“Sikh” means someone who is a follower of Sikhism. “Sikhism” is a religion that originated in the 15th century in Punjab. The word “Sikh” comes from the combination of two Sanskrit words sisya (f’k”) meaning “disciple” and Shiksha (f’k{k) meaning “instruction”. A Sikh is a disciple of the Guru. A person who is called a Sikh is also defined as “a person who has faith in God (the Immortal), the ten Gurus (spiritual guides), the Sri Granth Sahab (the Holy Book of the Sikhs), the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru.”, the teachings of the ten gurus and one who professes no religion. Most followers of this religion have the surname “Kaur” and male Sikhs have the surname “Singh”. Sikh recognition is with 5K namely; KESH, KARA, KIRPAN, KECHERA, and KANGA. Disciples of this religion are forbidden to show their hair. Sikhs cover their hair with a specially tied turban, while Sikhs cover their hair with a scarf.
Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak. He is called the first Guru. Guru Gobind Singh, who is the tenth Guru, is also the most famous Sikh Guru. A Sikh religious site is called a
“Gurudwara.”
Almost every Sikh is a Punjabi, while every Punjabi is not a Sikh.
Punjabis are an ethnic group originating from Punjab as Indo-Aryans from northern India, while Sikhs are a religious group that follows the religion of Sikhism.
Punjabi identity is primarily linguistic and cultural with the Punjabi language while Sikh identity is with its 5 K’s namely KESH, KARA, KIRPAN, KECHERA, and KANGA along with linguistic and cultural Punjabi language.
Punjabi refers to the language spoken by the people of the Punjab region as well as the people of the region. Punjabi also refers to the region’s ethnic food, culture, and folk customs of the region. A Sikh follows Sikhism. In Punjab, Sikhism is a religion that originated in the 15th century.
Punjabi is a subculture of India while Sikhs are people who follow Sikhism. They often follow the same God who is Guru Nanak, the first ‘Guru’, but their faith and religion may differ. Let’s understand both people in the following context.
Punjabi refers to the language spoken by the people of the Punjab region as well as the people of the region. Punjabi also refers to the region’s ethnic food, culture, and folk customs of the region. In ‘Punjab’ the word ‘Lord’ means five and ‘stab’ means water.
The Punjab region is located in northwestern India. At the time of India’s independence, many of its areas were divided between India and Pakistan; One such area was Punjab. Thus, the Punjab region is now a state in northern India and also a state in eastern Pakistan. The name Punjab was originally written as ‘Pan Jab’ literally meaning ‘five rivers’. This refers to the fact that the Punjab region is an inland delta consisting of five converging rivers, namely the Indus, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar. Various Punjabi people follow this language; they are Punjabi Christians, Punjabi Hindus, Punjabi Muslims, etc. Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan and the 10th most widely spoken language in the world.
SikhSikhs are those who follow Sikhism. On the other hand, Sikhs are not necessarily Punjabi. They are not particularly from Punjab and lived in other places in India as well. For example, South Indian Sikhs originating from the Deccan region are often called Dakhni Sikhs. In Nanded (Maharashtra), India, many Maharashtrians follow Sikhism. They wear a turban and practice Sikhism, but speak Marathi.
The Sikh population in India is about 20 million of the country’s total population and is considered the world’s fifth-largest religion. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh holy book, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The foremost things of the Sikh religion are the 5K which are Kesh, Kirpan, Kara, Kachha, and Kanga. These five things are very important in the life of a Sikh. They cannot cut their hair for life and both men and women must follow it.
