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Sikhism Portal
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Sikhism portal

Sikhism was the first religion from India to settle in America during 1800s. There are many important figures like Bhagat Singh Thind first Sikh to be recruited in the American military, also Dalip Singh Saund elected in 1956 to be the first Sikh member of the United States House of Representatives, and there are many more who have contributed to the American economy, military and the lifestyle. According to the 2001 census there are more than 650,000 Sikhs in the United States, and more than 250,000 Sikhs reside in California.
Contents

1 First immigrants

2 First Sikh Gurdwara in United States

3 Sikh communities

4 Sikh professionals

4.1 Sikhism and the United States Armed Forces


5 See also

6 References

7 External links

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First immigrants

Sikhs have been a part of the American populace for more than 130 years. At the turn of the 19th century, the state of Punjab of British India was hit hard by British practices of mercantilism. Many Sikhs emigrated to the United States, and began arriving to work on farms in California. They traveled via Hong Kong to Angel Island, California, the western counterpart to Ellis Island in New York.[1]

Some Sikhs worked in lumber mills of Oregon or in railroad construction and for some Sikhs it was on a railway line, which allowed other Sikhs who were working as migrant laborers to come into the town on festival days.[2]

A big effect on Sikh migration to the western states occurred during WWI and WWII, where Sikhs were recruited by the British Army to serve for them. Sikhs fought bravely during these wars and began to live in England after their serving period. Among the Sikhs who already lived in America prior to the wars, many Sikhs joined them, mainly during WWI and WWII. Among those who served in the US military include Bhagat Singh Thind.
First Sikh Gurdwara in United States

"The first Sikh Gurdwara was built in Stockton, California; the Gurdwara was created in 1912 with joint efforts of Sant Baba Vasakha Singh and Baba Jawala Singh. It was in September 1912 when land was purchased on South Granth Street in Stockton for the use of the Gurdwara. A small frame house that was already standing on the lot was used as the main building of the Gurdwara. This building still stands still where a library is now implemented. A Nishan Sahib was also hoisted for the first time at the Gurdwara. Sant Baba Vasakha Singh Dadehar and Baba Jawala Singh Thathian of Amritsar Sahib were appointed as the first Granthi Singh Jis of the Gurdwara.[3]
Sikh communities

The largest Sikh community in the United States resides in Yuba City, California and 2nd largest punjabi sikh community is growing in SF bay area like Fremont, California, San Jose, California and Fresno, California . The rest of the Sikh population is spread out in such places as Seattle, Washington, Modesto, California, Bakersfield,California ,Fresno, California, Fremont, California , San Diego, California ,San Francisco Bay Area, Stockton, California , Richmond Hill, Queens, New York, Kew Gardens, Queens, Flushing, Queens, New York, Espanola, New Mexico, Chicago, Baltimore, Portland, Detroit and Oregon. Most Sikhs of Espanola, New Mexico are non-Punjabi converts to Sikhism and they adhere very strictly to their faith. In Virginia there is the Sikh Foundation of Virginia. Most of them are Punjabi Jatt Sikh, Sikh Rajputs and Sikh Ramgarhia.

Sikhs in the United States total over 950,000, with a large portion of these living in California. Sikhs are the second largest religion in the Yuba City area. 25,000 Sikhs live in the Sacramento area, more than 50,000 live in San Francisco Bay Area and there are seven Sikh temples or gurdwaras.[4]

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, there was an upsurge in anti-Sikh discrimination across the United States, including a number of incidents that involved physical attacks on Sikh individuals who were wearing turbans.[4]
Sikh professionals

Most Sikhs started life in America as farm laborers, with many eventually becoming landowners and successful farmers. In 1956, Dalip Singh Saund became the first East Indian-born person to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. At present Amarjit Singh Buttar is perhaps the only turbaned Sikh who holds elected public office. He was elected in December 2001 to the Vernon, Connecticut Board of Education for a four-year term. He has also been recently selected as the Chairman of the Board.
Sikhism and the United States Armed Forces

Prior to the 1980s the United States Armed Forces allowed the wearing of beards while in uniform.[5] However, due to a change in regulations the U.S. armed forces stopped allowing for the wearing of beards in uniform, except for those who have been in the military prior to 1986.[5] As the beard is a requirement according to the Rehat Maryada, the current regulation,[6] has created a regulatory barrier that has kept Sikhs from serving in the United States Armed Forces in large numbers since.

In April 2009, Sikh Army Captain Kamaljeet S. Kalsi, a doctor, with the help of the Sikh Coalition, filed an objection to the Inspector General and the Department of Defense to be allowed to continue to serve with his religious apparel intact.[7] Joined in the filing of the object was one Army Reserve Second Lieutenant Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist.[8] CPT Kalsi had joined the Army via its Health Professions Scholarship Program and had been reassured by the recruiter that wearing the uniform while retaining his religious required appearance and apparel would not be a problem.[8] CPT Kalsi had even served in uniform without any problems at West Point and Travis Air Force Base.