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On September 2, 2008, The Hindustan Times published a report
on deplorable social status of the Dakshini Sikhs. The report
has been borrowed from Indo-Asian News Service.
Explaining the term Dakshini Sikh, the report tells that it
means Southern Sikhs which include Sikligar, Vanjara and
Lubana castes who live as gypsies in various states across
India.
Recently, the National Commission for Minorities has deputed
several teams to collect the data on the socio-economic status
of the Dakshini Sikhs.
While giving the details of the news, the news items has
given a snippet on the history of Dakshini Sikhs which is as
follows.
The Dakshini Sikhs were associated with Sikh Guru Hargobind
ji in 1595. They made swords, spears and shields for the
Sikh army.
They fought against Mughals during the life time of Guru
Gobind Singh ji.
In 1832, Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent a force of 2000 Sikhs
soldiers which mostly consisted of the above mentioned
tribes to Hyderabad. The force was requested by Nizam of
Hyderabad to save his territories from the attacks of his
neighbours.
The Nizam of Hyderabad had given jobs to Maharaja Ranjit
Sigh soldiers in his kingdom and latter it was such Sikhs
who became known as Dakshini Sikhs.
thanks historyinnews.blogspot |
