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The Piri System was part of the Sikh missionary administrative organization founded by the third Sikh guru, Guru Amar Das, for the purpose of propagating Sikhism amongst women. The system was significantly expanded by the seventh Sikh guru, Guru Har Rai. Each Piri was a
Sikh Sikhs ( or ; pa, ਸਿੱਖ, ' ) are people who adhere to Sikhism, Sikhism (Sikhi), a Monotheism, monotheistic religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Gu ...
missionary seat and administrative unit. A similar Manji system existed for the spread of Sikhism among men.


Meaning of ''Piri''

A ''Piri'' is a very small wooden cot (taken as the ''seat of authority'' in this context) from which the
Sikh Sikhs ( or ; pa, ਸਿੱਖ, ' ) are people who adhere to Sikhism, Sikhism (Sikhi), a Monotheism, monotheistic religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Gu ...
''Piris'' (female Sikh preachers, holders of seat of religious authority) would teach Sikhism to other women. The word Manji also means a wooden cot, similarly used to denote ''seat of Sikh religious authority'' for preaching Sikhism to men.


Founding of Piri system by Guru Amar Das

Guru Amar Das started the Piri and Manji systems by appointing 94 men as ''Manjis'' and 52 women as ''Piris'' for the spread of Sikhism.Piri system
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Masand system

Sikh Gurus had established a Masand system of Sikh representatives who taught and spread the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and also collect monetary offering to maintain armed legion of saint-soldiers. Over time, this system became corrupted.


Expansion of Piri system by Guru Har Rai

Guru Har Rai Ji faced some serious difficulties during the period of his guruship. The corrupt Masands, Dhir Mal and Minas always tried to preclude the advancement of the Sikh religion. Earlier, the ''Piri'' system was founded by Guru Amar Das. To reform the corrupted Masand system, Guru Har Rai expanded the Piri system by establishing additional female Sikh 'missionary' seats called ''Piris'' after the small cot (''manji'') used by the Guru's representatives. He also tried to improve the old corrupt Masand system and appointed pious and committed personalities, such as Suthre Shah, Sahiba, Sangtia, Mian Sahib, Bhagat Bhagwan, Bhagat Mal and Jeet Mal Bhagat (also known as Bairagi), as the heads of Manjis.


See also

* Sikh Gurus


References

{{Reflist Gender and Sikhism Sikh practices Sikh terminology