Kamboh (Sikh traditions) in India

Introduction / History

Centuries ago, the Kamboh people migrated east from what is now Iran into the Indian subcontinent. As time went on, many of them became government officials, though many settled down as farmers. "For sheer tenacity and persistence, nobody can beat the Kambohs," stated M.S. Randhawa, the former Vice Chancellor of Punjab University. Writers have often admired the Kamboh people for their talents as agriculturalists and soldiers.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many work on the land, in business or for the government. They are reasonably well educated and use modern medicine and family planning. On the death of the father, Kamboh sons inherit the property with the oldest son taking charge of the home. They have a caste council to look after their interests.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Kamboh people have a variety of religious beliefs, and many are Sikhs.

Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God.

One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They worship their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns.

There are roughly the same number of Sikhs as there are Jews in the world, but Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world. Many of the best Indian restaurants in the West are owned and operated by Sikhs.

What Are Their Needs?

You can say that they are one of India's most religiously diverse people groups, as well as one of her most competent. Yet as a people, they have not found it in their hearts to submit to the One who yearns to have them become part of His Kingdom. They have remained part of several religions, but few if any have given Jesus a chance to change their lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Sikh Kamboh communities.

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Sikh Kamboh.

Pray for the Sikh Kamboh people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.

Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Sikh Kamboh people to change their society from within.

Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project