Study were collected by means of participant observation during the years 1980-1984.
Leeds Sikh community is found to be comprised of several caste groups.
In the early 1970's the Ramgarhia Board decided to call a national informants are founder members of the first gurdwara and had arrived in.
This thesis examines the persistence of caste among the Sikh
community in Leeds and, to some extent, in the neighbouring city of
Bradford. The notion that the Sikhs are a casteless brotherhood is
challenged in the context of a brief discussion of the Indian caste
system, the function of caste in Punjabi society, and a comprehensive
review of the writings by Sikh and non-Sikh authors concerning caste
practices among the Sikhs.
The data for this study were collected by
means of participant observation during the years 1980-1984. Their
analysis demonstrates that caste continues to exist among Sikh
migrants despite its rejection by the Sikh gurus. The Sikh community
in Leeds and Bradford is found to be comprised of several caste
groups such as Jats, Ramgarhias, Bhatras, Jhirs, Julahas and others.
The significance of the arrival of Sikh families and children from
India and East Africa is examined in order to understand the rapid
development of caste-based gurdwaras and associations in Britain. A
detailed study of two Sikh castes, i.e. the Ramgarhias and the
Ravidasis, highlights that members of these caste groups take great
pride in their caste identity manifested in the establishment of
their own biradari institutions in Britain.
The practice of caste endogamy and exogamy by the Sikhs is examined
by analysing what role arranged marriage plays in perpetuating caste
consciousness and caste solidarity. The capacity of caste for
adaptation is demonstrated through the powers of the institution of
biradari to modify traditional rules of got exogamy for the smooth
functioning of the institution of arranged marriage in Britain.
Analysis of the life-cycle rituals provides new insights into the
workings of caste, religion and the kinship system among the Sikhs.
The role of the Sikh holy men is discussed to understand the quest
for a living guru among the Sikhs. Comments are made on the role
played by the gurdwaras in perpetuating Punjabi cultural traditions
among Sikh migrants, including the teaching of Punjabi to Sikh
children.
A detailed examination of the existence and practices of caste
institutions among the Sikhs in Leeds and Bradford leads to the
conclusion that caste differences will persist in the internal
organisation of the Sikhs in Britain.
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/43697.pdf
