Satnamis and their History of Protests

Satnamis and their History of Protests

Sub: History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context: A large group from the Satnami community in Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar district engaged in extensive vandalism, setting fire to numerous vehicles, throwing stones at police officers, and burning down the Superintendent of Police office.

• The unrest stemmed from dissatisfaction with the police’s management of a case concerning the desecration of a ‘Jaitkhamb’, a sacred structure significant to the Satnami community, demanding instead a CBI investigation.

Who are Satnamis?

• Originally, they were a militant sect of Hindu Worshippers.
• Founded by a saint named “Birbhan” in 1657 in Narnaul in Haryana.
• The major religious activity of this sect is to chant and meditate on the true names (Sat-Nam) of God, specially Rama and Krishna.
• This sect is thought to be an offshoot of Ravidasi sect and comprised lower strata of the Hindu society, particularly, leather workers, sweepers, carpenters, Goldsmiths etc.
• The followers of this sect kept their heads shaven (thus called Mundiyas) and abstained from liquor and meat.
• The religious granth of the Satnamis is called Pothi.

Principles and Influence

The Satnamis emphasize three main principles:

• Adorning the attire of a Satnami devotee
• Earning money through proper means
• Not tolerating any injustice or oppression in any form

Satnami Revolt under Aurangzeb:

• Occurred in 1672 during Aurangzeb’s reign.
• Triggered by a Mughal soldier killing a Satnami, leading to widespread revolt.
• Reasons included resentment against Aurangzeb’s strict Islamic policies: revival of Jizya tax, banning music and art, and temple destruction.
• Initially successful in establishing their administration in Narnaul and advancing towards Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi).
• Suppressed by Aurangzeb personally commanding troops with artillery.

Revival and Leadership under Jagjivandas:

• Revived under Jagjivandas near Lucknow, emphasizing Nirguna worship (worship of an abstract form of God).
• Promoted worship through self-discipline but did not advocate for the elimination of caste, which remains central to Satnami beliefs.

Ghasidas and the Satnam Panth:

• In 1820, Ghasidas founded his own offshoot of the Satnami sect in Chhattisgarh.
• Advocated for social equality and provided a religious and social identity for lower-caste people.
• Defied derogatory treatment by upper-caste Hindus and exclusion from Hindu temple worship.

Jaitkhamb and Giraudpuri:

• Giraudpuri in Baloda Bazar district, Chhattisgarh, birthplace of Ghasidas, is a pilgrimage center.
• Guru Ghasidas Jaitkhamb, a 77-meter-high tower, is a significant landmark and pilgrimage site for Satnamis.
• Jaitkhamb symbolizes their distinct sectarian identity and is an object of worship.

Geographical Distribution and Influence:

• Presently, Satnamis primarily reside in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Became a permanent subdivision of Hindus in the Central Provinces during the British period.