The Gaddi Nashin, alternatively spelt as Gaddi Nasheen, is a term to refer to a leader in various Sikh sects,

Ravidassia Ravidassia or the Ravidas Panth is a religion based on the teachings of Ravidas, Guru Ravidas. It was considered a sect within Sikhism until 2009. However, some Ravidassias continue to maintain Sikh religious practices, including the reverence of ...

, and also

Sufi Sufism ( or ) is a mysticism, mystic body of religious practice found within Islam which is characterized by a focus on Islamic Tazkiyah, purification, spirituality, ritualism, and Asceticism#Islam, asceticism. Practitioners of Sufism are r ...

groups.

Etymology

The

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

origin term ''Gaddi Nashin'', composite of ''gaddi'' meaning ''seat'' or ''position'' (gaddi) and ''nashin'' (also spelled ''nasheen'') meaning ''holder'' or ''occupier'', means ''the holder or occupier of a certain position''.

Usage

Sikhism

Minas

The

Sodhi Sodhi is a clan of Khatris who historically lived in both eastern and western Punjab. Some notable Sikh Gurus, including Hari Das, Guru Ram Das, Prithi Chand, to Guru Arjan were from the Sodhi clan. Origin According to a legend, some of the ...

descendants of the heretical Mina sect of

Sikhism Sikhism is an Indian religion and Indian philosophy, philosophy that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent around the end of the 15th century CE. It is one of the most recently founded major religious groups, major religio ...

in Guru Harsahai use the title of ''Gaddi Nashin'' for themselves and maintain a guruship lineage originating from

Prithi Chand Prithi Chand (Gurmukhi: ਪ੍ਰਿਥੀ ਚੰਦ; 1558–April 1618), also spelt as Prithia, was the eldest son of Guru Ram Das – the fourth Guru of Sikhism, and the eldest brother of Guru Arjun, Guru Arjan – the fifth Guru.

Udasis

Whilst usually the leader of an Udasi group or seat is known as a ''

mahant Mahant () is a religious superior, in particular the chief of a temple or the head of a monastery in Indian religions. James Mallinson, one of the few westerners to be named as a mahant, describes the position of a mahant as a combination of an ...

'', there are some Udasi groups who employ the term Gaddi Nashin instead. The

Udasi Udasis ( Gurmukhi: ਉਦਾਸੀ ਸੰਪਰਦਾ; ''udāsī saparadā'') (Devanagari: उदासी संप्रदाय), also spelt as Udasins, also known as Nanak Putras (meaning "sons of Nanak"), are a religious sect of ascetic ' ...

mahant leaders of the

Sadh Belo Sadh Belo (, Urdu: سادھ بھيلو), also spelt as Sadh Bela, or Sat, is an River island, island in the Indus River near Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan that is famous for its highly revered Hindu temples. The temples are associated with the syncr ...

complex in

Sindh Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...

use the term to refer to their seat of leadership. The ''gaddi nashin'' holder shifted to India following the 1947 partition of India. Many other Udasi groups in Sindh also employ the term gaddi nashin.

Ravidassia

The term is used for the leader of the Ravidass '' Deras'' in the

religion. The religion's founder Guru

Ravidass Ravidas or Raidas was an Indian mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti movement during the 15th to 16th century CE. Venerated as a ''guru'' (spiritual teacher) in the modern regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya P ...

is worshipped as Guru, and the Gaddi Nashin are considered a messenger of God following the Guru (Spiritual Leader). Only one Gaddi Nashin holds the position at a time, as the highest-ranking member of the religion. Below him are a large number of Ravidassia ''Sant Samaj'' who work under the leader, directing and giving instructions relating to affairs and matters of the religion. The current Gaddi Nashin is Niranjan Dass who has been holding that position since 24 November 2007.

Previous holders

*Pipal Dass (1895 to 1928CE) *Sarwan Dass (1928 to 1972) *Hari Dass (1972 to 1982) *Garib Dass (1982 to 1994) *Niranjan Dass (current)

Sufism

Sufism Sufism ( or ) is a mysticism, mystic body of religious practice found within Islam which is characterized by a focus on Islamic Tazkiyah, purification, spirituality, ritualism, and Asceticism#Islam, asceticism. Practitioners of Sufism are r ...

Gaddi Nasheen is also used and it also refers as Trustee and is the successor of a Sufi or Pir and in some instances descendant of a disciple of a Sufi. The Gaddi looks after the shrine and carries out significant rituals in the Dargah and are responsible in looking after the Mazaar Sharif (mausoleum). A trustee is a key person who held and leads the traditional Sufi rituals in Dargah's daily activities and particularly during Urs—(death anniversary). There are many well known Gaddi Nasheens within the Sufiana Darbar's in Punjab.

References

{{Sikhism Ravidassia