Mina (Sikhism)

Minas (ਮੀਣੇ) is title given to Baba Prithi Chand, elder sons of Guru Ram Das; and his followers.[1] Mina emerged as major sect which ran in parallel to 6th Sikh Guru and had their own Guru lineage unto 3 successions after Guru Arjan Dev.[2] The sect was excommunicated from mainstream Sikh community.

History and literary contributions

The title Mina means a deceitful hypocrite. The title was given by Guru Ram Das to Baba Prithi Chand; because he refused to accept his father decision of choosing Guru Arjan Dev his next successor. Guru Ram Das said Gursikhs not to associate with him. Minas remain hostile and hatched conspiracies against Guru Arjan Dev and played important role in martyrdom of Guru Arjan.[3] They also tried to plan murder of Guru Har Gobind but failed to do so. After death of Guru Arjan, Prithi Chand declared himself sixth Guru parallel to Guru Hargobind.

Mina Guru lineage

Minas did not believe in authority of last five Gurus and have their own lineage. Following are Gurus common to mainstream Sikhs and Minas belief:

  1. Guru Nanak
  2. Guru Angad
  3. Guru Amardas
  4. Guru Ramdas
  5. Guru Arjan
    After fifth Guru, Minas believe in following three Gurus:
  6. Guru Prithi Chand Mina
  7. Guru Meharvan Mina
  8. Guru Harji Mina

Literary contributions

Minas have contributed literary but as outcast from Sikh religion the literature have no importance in Sikh Religion. Prithi Chand had written a Basant Ki Vaar under title Mahalla 6. Prithi Chand dies in 1618 and Mehrvan(b 1581) became his successor.[4] He had done literatry work including Janamsakhis, Sukhmani Sahasranama etc. He was succeeded by Harji Mina. Harji had control of Golden Temple in his hand. He had written Goshti Guru Miharvaan.[5] Hariji died in 1696 and no further lineage is noted in history

Mina Gurus didn't get much support or fame in 17th-18th century due to which Mina literature got faded away. With advent of time, Minas get merged into mainstream Sikhism and no separate sect existed as of now.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Page 145, The Encyclopedia of Sikhism, H. S. Singha
  2. ↑ Page 170, The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies, Pashaura Singh, Louis E. Fenech
  3. ↑ Page 41, Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed, Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair
  4. ↑ Page 172, The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies, Pashaura Singh, Louis E. Fenech
  5. ↑ Page 176, The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies, Pashaura Singh, Louis E. Fenech
  6. ↑ Page 179, The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies, Pashaura Singh, Louis E. Fenech
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