A Gurmata (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਮਤਾ; literally, 'Guru's intention' or 'advice of the Guru'), alternatively romanized as Gurumatta, is an order upon a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion and is binding upon all Sikhs.[1] Gurmata is similar to Fatwa in the Muslim tradition with a difference that Fatwa is not binding on all Muslims while Gurmata is binding on all Khalsa, however it is not binding on non-Khalsa Sikhs.[2][3][4] Gurmatas were used in the 18th century to refer to the resolutions passed by the Sarbat Khalsa, a large gathering of esteemed Sikhs.[5]
Significant Gurmatas
| Date | Significance |
|---|---|
| October/November 1723 | Tat Khalsa and Bandai Khalsa settle their differences. |
| 1726 | Sarbat Khalsa passes Gurmata to raid Mughal precious metal transports, confiscate Mughal armories, and eliminate Mughal informers[6] |
| 1733 | Sarbat Khalsa accepts jagir given by Mughal government |
| 14 October 1745 | During Diwali, the Sarbat Khalsa passes Gurmata organizing Khalsa into 25 jathas[7] |
| 29 March 1748 | Sarbat Khalsa passes Gurmata reorganizing Khalsa into 11 misls[8] |
| 1753 | Official establishment of the Rakhi system[9] |
| 7 November 1760 | Sarbat Khalsa passes Gurmata to attack Lahore[10] |
| 27 October 1761 | Gurmata passed during the annual Diwali meeting at Amritsar that supporters, such as agents, informers and collaborators, of the Durrani Empire must be annihilated.[11][12] The first target chosen was Aqil Das, then-head of the heretical Hindali sect and colluder of Ahmad Shah Abdali.[12] Also decided in this Gurmata was that Sikhs should take control of Lahore.[13] |
| 1920 | Teja Singh Bhuchhar was announced as the Jathedar of the Akal Takht |
| 26 January 1986 | Sarbat Khalsa elects and inaugurates 5 member panthik committee to make decisions on behalf of the Sikh diaspora. |
| 16 February 1986 | Sarbat Khalsa was held at Anandpur Sahib (City of Bliss). Sarbat Khalsa unified the panth. |
| 10 November 2015 | Sarbat Khalsa was held at Chabba Village, where Jagtar Singh Hawara was appointed new Jathedar of Akal Takht. |
See also
- Hukamnama, an injunction or edict issued by the Sikh gurus, their officiated followers, the Takhts, or taken from the Guru Granth Sahib
- Rakhi system, the protection tax implemented by the Sikh Confederacy
- Sarbat Khalsa