List of converts to Sikhism
Encyclopedia
From Christianity
- Max Arthur MacauliffeMax Arthur MacauliffeMichael MacAuliffe, also known as Max Arthur Macauliffe , was a senior British administrator, prolific scholar and author. Macauliffe is renowned for his translation of Sikh scripture and history into English....
(1841–1913) - A senior BritishUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
administrator who was posted in the Punjab, Macauliffe was a prolific scholar and author who converted to SikhismSikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
in the 1860s. - Vic BriggsVic BriggsVictor Harvey Briggs III is a former blues and rock musician, best known as the lead guitarist with Eric Burdon and The Animals during the 1966-1968 period...
- Former bluesBluesBlues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
musician who converted and took the name Vikram Singh Khalsa. Later he became the first non-subcontinental to perform kirtanKirtanKirtan or Kirtana is call-and-response chanting or "responsory" performed in India's devotional traditions. A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed...
at Harimandir Sahib. - Dr. Lonnie SmithLonnie Smith (jazz musician)Dr. Lonnie Smith is a jazz Hammond B3 organist and pianist.-Biography:He was born in Lackawanna, New York, into a family with a vocal group and radio program. Smith says that his mother was a major influence on him musically, as she introduced him to gospel, classical, and jazz music...
- JazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
organist. - Vikram Kaur Khalsa - A former model and actress who starred in several horror movies.
- GurmukhGurmukh (yoga teacher)Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa is a teacher of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan and a pioneer in the field of pre-natal yoga. She is the co-founder and director of the Golden Bridge Yoga Center in Los Angeles, and the creator of two books and three DVDs....
- Yoga teacher and co-founder and director of the Golden Bridge Yoga Center in Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. - Babaji SinghBabaji SinghBabaji Singh Khalsa was a Mexican Sikh who is credited for translating Guru Granth Sahib, the holy text of the Sikhs into Spanish.-Life:...
- He is credited for translating Guru Granth SahibGuru Granth SahibSri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
, the holy text of the Sikhs into SpanishSpanish languageSpanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
. - Sandra L. Smith - She is the former leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist)Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist)The Communist Party of Canada is a Canadian federal Marxist–Leninist political party.The party is registered with Elections Canada as the Marxist–Leninist Party of Canada...
(aka the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada) and the widow of the party's founder and long-time leader, Hardial BainsHardial BainsHardial Bains was the founder of the Communist Party of Canada and its leader until his death...
. - Dharma Singh KhalsaDharma Singh Khalsa-Early years:Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D. was born January 20, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Miami Beach, Florida. He is a graduate of Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Khalsa received his training in Anesthesiology at the University of California, San...
- A medical researcher in the field of Alzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
. - Mahan Atma Singh KhalsaMahan Atma Singh KhalsaMahan Atma Singh Khalsa, formerly Andy Strachan, was a guitarist and a member of DYS and later co-founded the more rock-focused band Slaughter Shack. After leaving music, Strachan has since converted to Sikhism.-See also:* Kundalini Yoga...
- Formerly, Andy Strachan was a guitaristGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and a member of DYS (band)DYS (band)DYS is an American straight edge hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts who were part of the notorious "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX...
and later co-founded the more rock-focused band Slaughter Shack. After leaving music, Strachan has since converted to SikhismSikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
. - Snatam KaurSnatam KaurSnatam Kaur Khalsa , is an American singer and songwriter. She lives in Española, New Mexico. Kaur performs Indian devotional music, kirtan, and tours the world as a peace activist. The name "Kaur", meaning "princess", is shared by all female Sikhs....
- Snatam Kaur is an AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and songwriter. She performs the IndianIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
devotional music, kirtanKirtanKirtan or Kirtana is call-and-response chanting or "responsory" performed in India's devotional traditions. A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed...
and tours around the world as a peace activist. - Martin SinghMartin SinghJarnail Martin John Singh is a Canadian pharmacist, businessman and political activist, and a candidate for the leadership of the New Democratic Party....
- Nova Scotia pharmacist and businessman and candidate for the leadership of the New Democratic Party of Canada in 2012New Democratic Party leadership election, 2012An election for the leadership of the New Democratic Party , a social democratic party in Canada, will occur on March 24, 2012, as a result of the death of Jack Layton, the party's former leader. The party's executive and caucus set the rules for the campaign at a series of meetings in September 2011...
.
From Judaism
- Satkirin Kaur KhalsaSatkirin Kaur KhalsaSatkirin Kaur Khalsa is a former Jew who now works as a Sikh preacher and prolific Sikh Kirtan singer. She presents a Kundalini Yoga show on JUS Punjabi t.v. channel.-Life:...
- She is a former Jew who now works as a SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
preacher. - GuruGanesha SinghGuruGanesha Singh KhalsaGuruGanesha Singh Khalsa is an eminent Sales training expert, Sikh devotional musician and expert guitarist.-Life:He was born in 1950 at Massachusetts to a Russian Jewish father and an Irish Catholic mother. He was attracted towards music in his early childhood. When 8 yrs old, he received his...
- He is an eminent Sales training expert, SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
devotional musicianMusicianA musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and professional guitaristGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
.
From Hinduism
- Panj PiarePanj PiareThe Panj Piare , name given to the five Sikhs, Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh, who were so designated by Guru Gobind Singh at the historic divan at Anandpur Sahib on 30 March 1699 and who formed the nucleus of the Khalsa as the first...
- (Punjabi: ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ, Pañj Pi'ārē, literally the five beloved ones), name given to the five SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
s, Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh, who were so designated by Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
at the historic congregation at Anandpur SahibAnandpur SahibAnandpur Sahib is a city in Rupnagar district in the state of Punjab, India. Known as "the holy City of Bliss," it is a holy city of the Sikhs and is one of their most important sacred places, closely linked with their religious traditions and history...
on 30 March 1699. - Bhai BalaBhai BalaBhai Bala , born in Talvandi Rai Bhoi in a Jatt family. He was a supposed childhood friend and all his life a constant companion of Bhai Mardana and Guru Nanak. According to the Bhai Bala Janam Sakhi's. he travelled with Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana on all their great journeys around the world...
- He was a supposed childhood friend and all his life a constant companion of Bhai MardanaBhai MardanaBhai Mardana was the first follower and longtime companion of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. He was with Nanak in all of his journeys across India and Asia...
and Guru Nanak. - Bhai Mati DasBhai Mati DasBhai Mati Das Bhai Mati Das Bhai Mati Das (Punjabi: ਭਾਈ ਮਤੀ ਦਾਸ, is one of the greatest martyrs in Sikh history. He along with his younger brother Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyal Das, all disciples of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, were executed along with him at the Kotwali(police-station)...
- Accompanied Guru Tegh Bahadur in martyrdom at DelhiDelhiDelhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. - Bhai Sati DasBhai Sati DasBhai Sati Das along with his elder brother Bhai Mati Das is one of the greatest martyrs in Sikh history. Bhai Sati Das and his elder brother Bhai Mati Das were followers of ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur...
- Accompanied Guru Tegh Bahadur in martyrdom at DelhiDelhiDelhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. - Bhai DayalaBhai DayalaBhai Dyala ji was one of the earliest and great Martyrs to the Sikh faith. Along with his companions Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Sati Das as well as Ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur ji, Bhai Dayala was martyred at Chandni Chowk at Delhi in November 1675 on account of his refusal to barter his...
- Accompanied Guru Tegh Bahadur in martyrdom at DelhiDelhiDelhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. - Master Tara SinghMaster Tara SinghMaster Tara Singh Malhotra was a prominent Sikh political and religious leader in the first half of the 20th century...
- A prominent SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
political and religious leader in the first half of the 20th century. - Banda BahadurBanda BahadurBanda Singh Bahadur was a Sikh warrior and martyr. He became part of struggle against the Mughal Empire in the early 18th century, after meeting Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Gobind Singh gave him the new name of Banda Singh Bahadur...
(formerly Madho Das) - Affectionately known within the SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
tradition as 'the first monarch of the Sikh Kingdom', Banda Bahadur is said to have received SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
baptism by the hand of the tenth guruSikh GurusThe Sikh Gurus established Sikhism from over the centuries beginning in the year 1469. Sikhism was founded by the first guru, Guru Nanak, and subsequently, all in order were referred to as "Nanak", and as "Lights", making their teachings in the holy scriptures, equivalent...
of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
. - Sahib SinghSahib SinghProfessor Sahib Singh was a renowned Sikh academic who made a tremendous contribution to Sikh literature. He was an exceptional grammarian, author, scholar and theologian...
- He was a renowned SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
academic who made a tremendous contribution to SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
literature. - Nand Lal GoyaNand Lal GoyaBhai Nand Lal , also known as Bhai Nand Lal Singh was a 17th century Persian, and Arabic poet in Punjab region. He was born in Ghazni in Afghanistan to father Chhhajju Ram who was a famous Hindu Persian scholar...
- He was a 17th century PersianPersian peopleThe Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...
, and Arabic poet in PunjabPunjab regionThe Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
region, and a contemporary of Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
. - Bhagat Puran SinghBhagat Puran SinghBhai Puran Singh was born in Rajewal Ludhiana district, Punjab. Born into a Hindu family, he was given the name Ramjidas as a child. Later, while still a child, he choose to become a Sikh. Though he never finished his basic schooling, he became a writer, a publisher, an environmentalist, and a...
(1904–1992) - A great visionary, an accomplished environmentalist and the founder of the "All India PingalwaraPingalwaraPingalwara is a house for destitutes in Amritsar in northern Indian state of Punjab. It is housed in a three storey building near the main Amritsar bus stand on the National Highway no. 1, also known as G.T...
Charitable Society". Being deeply influenced by the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, he converted to SikhismSikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
. - Swami Ram TirathSwami Ram TirathSwami Ram Tirath , also known as Dandi Sannyasi, was a mystic who after a prolonged spiritual quest turned to the Guru Granth Sahib.-Life:He was born in the village of Tauhra, now in the district of Patiala, he was christened Svami Ram Tirath by Svami Narayan Tirath, an ex-principal of Queens...
- He was a mystic who after a prolonged spiritual quest turned to the Guru Granth SahibGuru Granth SahibSri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
and became a SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
. - Teja SinghTeja SinghTeja Singh was a Sikh scholar, teacher, author and translator. Born Tej Ram in a Hindu family, he converted to Sikhism. He was an active member of the Singh Sabha movement.-See also:* Sikhism* Singh Sabha movement* Punjab...
- He was an active member of the Singh Sabha movement. - Pappu YadavPappu YadavRajesh Ranjan पप्पू यादव , better known as Pappu Yadav, is an Indian politician. He won elections to the Lok Sabha in 1991, 1996, 1999, and in 2004 from several constituencies in Bihar on the RJD ticket. On 2008-02-14, he was convicted in the murder of Communist Party of India legislator Ajit...
member of Lok SabhaLok SabhaThe Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India... - Ezhava Sikhs - During the Vaikom SatyagrahaVaikom SatyagrahaVaikom Satyagraha was a satyagraha in Travancore, India against untouchability in Hindu society. The movement was centered at the Shiva temple at Vaikom, near Kottayam.The Satyagraha aimed at securing freedom of movement for all sections of society through the public roads leading to the Sri...
, some EzhavaEzhavaThe Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
youth were attracted to the concepts of the SikhismSikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
and as a result, joined the religion.
From Islam
- Bhai MardanaBhai MardanaBhai Mardana was the first follower and longtime companion of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. He was with Nanak in all of his journeys across India and Asia...
- became SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
in Guru Nanak lifetime. - Kuldeep Manak, formerly Latif Muhammed - A famous PunjabiPunjabi peopleThe Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
singer who, after he embraced SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
philosophy, released a number of SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
devotional tracks. - Latif Singh Diaye - The son of Senegalese-American Quranic scholar Latif Diaye is a SikhSikhA Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
writer and the author of the famous book My Life As A Black Sikh. - Ayesha Duggal - She is an eminent medical doctorPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and the wife of PunjabiPunjabi peopleThe Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
writer Kartar Singh Duggal, converted to SikhismSikhismSikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
upon marriage. - Pir Sahari Chhina, A Jat Mystic Saint from village Hardosahari in Kasur DistrictKasur DistrictKasur District or Qasur District is one of the districts in the province of Punjab, Pakistan It came into existence on 1 July 1976. Earlier it was part of Lahore District....
converted to Sikhism during the early 16th century. - Baba Bhikam Singh, one of the many Nephews of Pir Buddhu Shah a famous Pir to take Sikh initiation and meditated in Eastern Punjab near MohaliMohaliMohali is a city adjacent to Chandigarh, 18th District in Punjab, India. It is officially named after the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh . It, along with Chandigarh and Panchkula, form a part of the Chandigarh Tricity...
. - Zabita Khan, a Rohilla Pathan ruler of present day Uttar Pradesh State of India who later in 1770s took the Sikh initiation as he knew about the high character of the Sikhs.