ABSTRACT
Sikhism is a comparatively young religion; its founding dates only from the fifteenth century. The two traditions strongly influenced each other; unconscious borrowing had taken place despite fervent assertions of distinctness. Sikhism openly drew upon the resources of both communities and managed to develop a character of its own. Indeed, Sikhism is an outstanding example of a successful interweaving of religious traditions (syncretism) and one that has proven stable. The stories of Nanak's youth are typical examples of historical fact transmuted into wonder tales. A combination of Hindu and Muslim elements appears in Kabir's teaching. The doctrinal position of Nanak has a surprisingly simple form, in spite of its blending of the insights of two widely differing faiths. Nanak believed that religion has a social mission to perform, a mission to improve the lot of people of all classes and societies. Terrorist activity by militant Khalsa Dal separatists was rife in the 1980s.
