ABSTRACT
The comment is often made that there is no caste, referred to as zat in Panjabi, amongst Sikhs. This is misleading when understanding and exploring the lived experiences of the Sikhs. Two factors are at play when exploring whether Sikhs have caste divisions: one of Sikhi (Sikh teachings) and other is Panjabi culture. Although, it is generally agreed upon that the Gurus outrightly rejected caste-based discrimination, their position towards the caste system per se is not so clear-cut. The Gurus were all of the same caste and they married according to rules around endogamy. This paper will argue that Sikhs are indeed categorized on the lines of their zat, amongst other multiple identities that any individual has at any one time.
