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Sikhism pp 440–443Cite as

Turban (Sikhism)

Part of the Encyclopedia of Indian Religions book series (EIR)

Synonyms

Dastaar; Dumulla; Keshkee; Pagri

Definition

A head covering consisting of a long length of material wound around a cap or the head, worn especially by Sikhs and also by Muslims.

Introduction

This entry outlines the centrality of the turban first, as a religious and cultural identity, and second as part of a modern aesthetic realm that constitutes certain kinds of political subjectivity. It is important to note that one’s world is not simply defined by a geographical space that happened to be the birthplace of the Sikh faith, namely the Punjab. What becomes relevant are the broad outlines and bare essences of forging a turbaned Sikh identity.

The Sikh Turban

The factor most relevant for understanding notions of modern Sikh identity is ultimately related to the notion that the present characteristic form of the Sikh is a result of the tenth Guru’s baptism (Amrit) of Sikhs in 1699 and the establishment of the Khalsa who must abide by a certain code of conduct. Guru Gobind Singh...

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References

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  4. Singh S, Singh T (2001) Importance of Dastaar/Keskee (Turban). www.interlog.com/∼sikhs/turban.html

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), University of Portsmouth, Winston Churchill Avenue, PO1 2UP, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK

    Pal Ahluwalia

Authors
  1. Pal Ahluwalia
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Correspondence to Pal Ahluwalia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair

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Ahluwalia, P. (2017). Turban (Sikhism). In: Mandair, AP.S. (eds) Sikhism. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-0846-1_419

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