Religious and historical paradigms of the Sikh identity

Abstract

1. Introduction Study of identity and its reflections are becoming important in social sciences especially in religious study. Due to the recent developments in different religious groups and communities the study of identity has come in academic focus. The main problem of this study is to understand the nature and development of Sikh identity and to find out the connections in its religious and historical paradigms. 2. Concepts 2.1. Identity According to the Oxford Dictionary, identity is the characteristics, feelings or beliefs that distinguish people from others: a sense of national / cultural / personal / group identity. As a sense of uniqueness, a feeling of continuity over time and a sense of ego completeness. And fourth characteristic demands identification with the ideals of some group that affirms the sense of self that is the final achievement of a healthy sense of identity. In this research work we purpose to identify the uniqueness of Sikh identity and its religious and historical paradigms. 2.2. Paradigm The word Paradigm is derived from Greek word Paradeigma that means explanation of a pattern. In this research we are applying concept paradigm as a methodical framework to study the representive religious and historical patterns of the Sikh identity. 2.3. Religious Paradigm Religious paradigm of identity is a matter of religious identification or declaration. Those who believe or follow the specific doctrines of a particular faith are generally referred to as religious community. Every religious community has a specific identity that bonds their own faith. In this research we want to explore the distinguish feature of Sikh faith. 2.4. Historical Paradigm Almost every identity links with the history of his group, caste, tribe, class, nation and community because that attaches with these in the object of conscious and unconscious mind.