Sikhs were initially sent to British Malaya as political prisoners. The first few Sikhs to arrive in British Malaya were Nihal Singh (better known as Bhai Maharaj Singh) and Khurruck Singh, who were deported from India due to anti-British involvement in 1849.[7] These prisoners were sent to the Outram Road prison in what is now Singapore. In 1865, Sikhs were sent to Malaysia again as recruits in the armed forces in the British Empire mainly as police, military and guards.[citation needed] Before the British penal colony in the Singapore Straits Settlement closed in 1873, Sikh convicts discharged from it may have settled in Malaya in the years prior to its closing.[8]: 21
In 1873, the British brought Sikh soldiers to Malaya to guard the Perak tin mines from the Chinese.[9]: 107 The early Sikh migrants to Malaya came from different cultural regions of the Punjab, with roughly 20% being from Doaba (situated between the Beas and Sutlej rivers), 35% from Malwa (located south and east of the Sutlej river), and 35% from Majha (area between the Ravi and Beas rivers), with the remainder being from other regions.[8]: 21 The Malwai and Majhai Sikh dominance amongst the early Sikh migrants to Malaya (in contrast to the histories of other Sikh diasporas, where Doabis tended to be overrepresented among early Sikh pioneers) is a reflection of British preference of Sikh recruits from these regions in its security forces.[8]: 21 In the period of early Sikh migration to Malaya, there was a considerable amount of return-migration of returnees to Punjab, with as high as 80% of early Sikh migrants in Malaya returning home at certain points.[8]: 22
The first-choice destination for prospective Sikh immigrants in India were Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.[8]: 22 However, when these countries started restricting the migration of South Asians coming in, then many Sikhs settled for their second-choice, which was Malaya and Fiji.[8]: 22
During the 1920's, inward Sikh migration to Malaya was dominated by Jat Sikhs whom after arriving from India sought employment in the government or quasi-government security forces.[8]: 22 However, if they could not successfully land a security force job, then they often settled for work as caretakers, watchmen, bullock-cart drivers, dairy-keepers, and labourers at the mines. [8]: 22
After the first initial wave of Sikhs migrants seeking employment, the Sikh population of Malaya leveled-off at around 10,000 Sikhs.[8]: 65 This population was dominated by single men with few families amongst them.[8]: 65
Between 1930 and 1953, Sikh migrants arriving in Malaya are described as "commercial migrants".[8]: 22 A large influx into Malaya by these Sikh commercial migrants occurred after the partition of Punjab and also due to concerns that there may be a ban on immigration into Malaya pending.[8]: 22 Before the end of World War II, the vast majority of Sikhs migrating to Malaya were single men, with few bringing their families with them.[8]: 22 After 1945, more Sikh families from back home in India were able to join the Sikh men in Malaya.[8]: 22
Group portrait with Hugh Low, the British resident of Perak, and two Malaysian rajas, local administrators in Perak and Larut, ca.1880–81. Sikhs can be visible.
Sikhs from the Perak Armed Police wrestling in Perak, Malaya, ca.1880–1890
Photograph of Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Police, Fort Cornwallis, Penang, Malaysia, taken on 28 December 1927
Sikh soldiers of the Indian Infantry Division during World War II involved in a fierce battle with the Imperial Japanese Army in the Battle of Kampar, British Malaya (1941)
Establishment of Sikh temples and organizations
In Malaya, the Sikh community followed this pattern when it came to setting-up its organizations:[8]: 66
First, visiting preachers would be brought in.[8]: 66
The first Sikh Gurdwara was set up in Cornwallis in 1873 inside police lines.[citation needed] The first public Sikh Gurdwara was set up in 1903 in Penang.[citation needed]
In 1895, a Sikh from Hong Kong named Lal Singh visited Penang and helped start-up a Singh Sabha organization there.[8]: 66 The Penang Singh Sabha was established on 19 May 1895.[8]: 66 The first meetings at the Penang Singh Sabha involved readings of the Khalsa Samachar publication.[8]: 66 The officers elected for the Penang Singh Sabha most consisted of higher ranking soldiers, such as subahdar majors.[8]: 66 The Penang Singh Sabha hastily undertook efforts to baptize Sikhs through the Amrit Sanchar ceremony.[8]: 66 Also, it recuperated Sikhs that had "strayed from gurbani" through a straightforward shuddhi ceremony.[8]: 66
By the 1890's, there were three Singh Sabhas established on the Malay Peninsula.[8]: 66 These three Singh Sabhas were based in Singapore, Penang, and Taiping, respectively.[8]: 66 These three Singh Sabhas eventually coalesced to form the Khalsa Diwan of Malaya, established on 27 December 1903, the morning after Guru Gobind Singh's birthday celebration.[note 1][8]: 66 [10] The Khalsa Diwan of Malaya's creation was announced at the Malay State Guides Gurdwara in Taiping after a unanimous desire for the creation of a formal registered Sikh society in Malaya to take care of the religious, cultural, educational and other needs of the local Sikh community.[10] The Khalsa Diwan of Malaya would coordinate fundraising for the benefit of the Sikh community and organized occasional diwans which were attended by hundreds of Sikhs.[8]: 66
The inaugural committee of the Khalsa Diwan of Malaya comprised 26 Sikhs, with the most noteworthy roles being given to the following persons:[10]
1903 inaugural committee of the Khalsa Diwan of Malaya[10][note 2]
Taiping-based Sikhs established the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Taiping (S.G.S.S. Taiping) on 15 September 1916 to cater the local Sikh community.[11] The management committee of the S.G.S.S. Taiping requested land for their organization so they could erect a structure.[11] On 18 January 1918, land from Upper Station Road (currently known as Jalan Stesen Hulu) was given to the Sikhs to build their gurdwara on.[11] A British man who resided in Perak named Sir William George Maxwell helped gather donations for the new gurdwara.[11] The corner stone of the new gurdwara was laid on 26 November 1920.[11] The gurdwara was opened in 1921 and the Khalsa School Taiping (Sikh religious school) was established on 1 January 1928 at its premises.[11]
In the 1920's, Gurdwara Sahib Taiping was established by the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Taiping.[10] Prior to the establishment of Gurdwara Sahib Taiping, the local Sikh community's temple was located at the Malay State Guides premises in Taiping.[10]
Beginning in the early 1870's, Sikh policemen and soldiers arrived in Malaya to work across various towns and ports.[8]: 65 Sikhs were recruited in 1873 by Captain Tristram Speedy to work as a protective force for a Malay chieftain.[8]: 21
In the early 1880's, a small body of Sikh cavalry troops was established to clamp down on highway robberies, which at the time were a very regular occurrence on the pass between Taiping, Kamunting, and Kinta.[12] The Sikhs were stationed at night and the problem of robberies on the pass soon was resolved.[12] With the eventual construction of the Taiping Kinta cart road, roadways in Kinta, and railways plus the adoption of the telegram, the Sikh troops became less of a need to police the route.[12]
Sikh troopers of the Sultan of Perak in 1915Sikh soldiers from the Perak Lancers (left) and Malay States Guides at Hampton Court Palace, England, during the coronation of King Edward VII in August 1902.
Bodyguards of the sultan of Perak
After the formation of the Malay States Guides in 1896, the Sikh cavalry troop body was separated and shifted from Taiping to Kuala Kangsar for the purpose of establishing a royal bodyguard of Sikhs for the sultan of Perak, Idris Murshidul Azzam Shah.[12] In 1900, the Sikh bodyguard unit of the Perak sultan consisted of a native officer, two Duffadars, and twelve Sowars (mounted orderlies).[note 3][12] The Sowards were armed with lances (with red and white pennants), swords, and carbines.[12] They wore scarlet coats which often donned medals.[12] Prior to Perak, many of them had past military service in the Anglo-Burmese wars or the Northwest Frontier.[12] This group of mounted Sikh bodyguards was headquartered near the Bukit Chandan palace.[12] The Sikh bodyguards always were in the retinue of the sultan whenever he travelled his carriage and pair during ceremonial events.[12] Idris Murshidul Azzam Shah was the only sultan in the Federated Malay States who possessed a private Sikh mounted personal guard.[12] The Sikh bodyguards of the sultan also provided escort at parades in Singapore.[12] Rather than being purely ceremonial in nature, the Sikh bodyguards of the sultan were often tasked with patrolling the mining localities of the Kinta district during periods of trouble.[12] In 1902, the sultan, along with his Sikh detail, travelled to England for the coronation ceremony of King Edward VII, embarking from Penang aboard the P&O; steamer Ceylon and arriving 30 May 1902 at the Royal Albert Docks.[12] Besides the Sikh detail of the sultan, Sikhs from the Malay States Police and Malay States Guides also attended the coronation ceremony and were quartered at Alexandra Palace.[12] By 1913, the bodyguard detail of the sultan of Perak consisted of one Duffadars, one Naik, 13 Sowars, 13 horses, and seven syces.[note 4][12]
Relations with the local inhabitants
Sikh men residing in colonial Malaya usually married women from their own community by going back to Punjab to find a wife.[13] However, some Sikhs in Malaya married local Malay women, especially in the area of Sabah and a couple of other Malay states.[13] In Kelantan, which is adjacent to Thailand, many Sikh men married local Siamese women.[13]
Independent Malaysia (1957–present)
In 1970, the then fifty-year-old building that was Gurdwara Sahib Taiping was demolished to make way for a new, double-story building to house the gurdwara.[11] This new building was opened on 14 April 1971 on Vaisakhi.[11]
Current status
The Sikh community is the largest here among Southeast and East Asia.[citation needed] There are as many as 15 Sikh Gurdwaras in Kuala Lumpur alone more than the number of mosques there, despite Muslims being the dominant demographic in Kuala Lumpur.[citation needed] Malaysian Sikhs are deep-rooted in Sikh culture more than Sikh diaspora anywhere in the world and are assimilated in mainstream keeping their identity intact.[14]
A group of Sikh businessmen in Malaysia has set up a network of International Sikh Entrepreneurs (NISE) to promote their products and services and generate opportunities among members.[citation needed]
Multilingual no admittance sign in Kuala Lampur exhibiting Punjabi in Gurmukhi script
A Sikh women hear speeches from the Prime Minister Najib Razak during a Vaisakhi celebration at Gurdwara Sahib in Kuala Lumpur on April 14th, 2013.
Influence of Sikhs on Malaysian culture
Khoo Kongsi temple
Sikh guardian statue at the Khoo Kongsi temple (bottom-left)
There exists a Sikh guardian statue at the prayer hall of the Khoo Kongsi temple in Penang.[15]: 74 The Sikh guardian statue symbolizes protection of the prayer hall.[15]: 74
Malaysian-Chinese funeral practices
Certain Malaysian-Chinese communities burn paper effigies of Sikh watchmen during funerals due to the belief that it will help ensure the soul of the deceased individual will have a safe journey to the afterworld.[15]: 74
In 2016, a teaching module published by a leading Malaysian university (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM) depicted Hindus in India as unclean and dirty in a slide. Another slide aimed at teaching the origins of Sikhism claimed that founder Guru Nanak had a poor understanding of Islam and had combined it with his surrounding Hindu lifestyle in forming the early foundation of the Sikh faith. A police report was lodged by the chairman of the Hindu Dharma Association of Malaysia in Sungai Petani district against UTM.[16][17] Malaysia's Minister of Health, Deputy Minister of Education and others had condemned this incident. Due to these condemnations, UTM was forced to apologize.[18]
There are a total of 119 gurdwaras throughout Malaysia.[citation needed] However, another estimates puts the number of gurdwaras in Malaysia at 130.[19] Many towns have multiple gurdwara even though they share the same congregation.[19] According to Karminder Singh Dhillon, the reason why many gurdwaras exist in close proximity to one another is because when parbhandak (manager) groups are ejected in a gurdwara election, the losing group often establishes a new gurdwara so they can continue being parbhandaks.[19] Therefore, many gurdwaras in Malaysia today arise from rivalries and conflicts within the Sikh community.[19]
42 of them are situated in the state of Perak, where the majority of Sikhs in Malaysia resides.[citation needed]
Johor
Gurdwara Sahib Muar, Johor
Gurdwara Sahib Batu Pahat, Johor
Gurdwara Sahib Segamat, Johor
Gurdwara Sahib Babe ke Guru Ram Das World, Machap, Johor
Gurdwara Sahib Kluang, Johor
Gurdwara Sahib Pontian, Johor
Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru, Johor
Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Dharamsala, Kuala Lumpur
Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Jalan Kampung, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Jalan Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Highstreet (Polis)
Gurdwara Sahib Kampung Pandan Settlement, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Kuyow, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Mainduab, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Police, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Police Depot, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Police Jalan Parliament, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Sahib Central Workshops Sentul, Kuala Lumpur
Gurdwara Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malay States Guides Gurdwara – A gurdwara was located on the grounds of the former Malay States Guides military regiment in Larut, Taiping (established in 1896).[10][11] However, it was situated within a military complex so civilians had difficulties worshipping at the gurdwara due to heightened security.[11] The Malay States Guides was disbanded in 1919 and the gurdwara was closed the following year in 1920.[11]
^The Khalsa Diwan of Malaya was originally named 'Khalsa Diwan Muluk Malaya' when it was established in 1903. It later acquired the name 'Khalsa Diwan Malaya' (abbreviated as K.D.M.)
^This table only displays the most prominent committee positions. Aside from the below, there were 20 other Sikhs as committee members from Taiping, Penang, Kedah, Batu Gajah, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, Kuala Lumpur, and Kampar.
^A duffadar is equivalent in rank to a sergeant in the cavalry. Sowars are mounted orderlies.
^A Naik is equivalent in rank to a corporal. Syces are people who take care of horses.
References
^"Homepage". Malaysian Sikh Union. The population of the Sikhs has grown from 30,000 in 1930 to 130,000 in 2011.
^"Malaysia gets first Sikh minister". WION. Miri Indian Association president, Councillor Karambir Singh was quoted as saying by the Borneo Post. Malaysia has nearly 100,000 Sikh population
^"On the Gurdwara Trail in Malaysia: A Spiritual Experience". SikhNet. The Malaysian Sikh community is the fourth largest ethnic group of Malaysian Indians. It is estimated that over 100,000 Sikhs reside in Malaysia. The Sikh population is the largest here among Southeast and East Asia.
^"Indian-origin appointed as first Sikh Minister in Malaysia". Connected to India. The whole Sikh community is happy over the appointment of Deo as a Minister in the Malaysia's Cabinet. There are about 100,000 Sikhs in Malaysia occupying significant positions in the country.
^"Vaisakhi festivities showcase Sikh community's vibrancy". MalayMail. "We are small in Malaysia — there are 100,000 of us — but you see us everywhere," said Daljit....Daljit estimated between 100,000 to 120,000 travelled from north Indian region Punjab, where Sikhism originated, as well as Delhi and Mumbai.
^ abcdMcLeod, W. H.; Fenech, Louis E. (2014). Historical Dictionary of Sikhism. Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN9781442236011.
^Kahlon, Swarn Singh (2016). Virk, Dr. Hardev Singh (ed.). Sikhs in Asia Pacific's: Travels among the Sikh Diaspora from Yangon to Kobe. New Delhi: Manohar Publisher, New Delhi.
^ abcMcLeod, W. H.; Fenech, Louis E. (2014). Historical Dictionary of Sikhism. Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN9781442236011.