turban
Dastar - The Sikh Crown
Quick facts
| Punjabi name | Dastaar |
| Also known as | Pagg, Pagri, Parna |
| Mandatory for | All baptised Sikhs (Khalsa) — men and women |
| Reason worn | Love and obedience to the wishes of the Sikh Gurus |
| First worn by | Guru Nanak Dev Ji and all subsequent Sikh Gurus |
| Part of | The Five Ks (Panj Kakaar) — specifically related to Kesh |
what is Dastar
The dastaar, as the Sikh turban is known, is an article of faith that has been made mandatory by the founders of Sikhism. It is not to be regarded as mere cultural paraphernalia. When a Sikh man or woman dons a turban, the turban ceases to be just a piece of cloth and becomes one and the same with the Sikh’s head. The turban, as well as the other articles of faith worn by Sikhs, have an immense spiritual as well as temporal significance. The reason all practising Sikhs wear the turban is just one — out of love and obedience to the wishes of the founders of their faith. The turban has been an integral part of the Sikh tradition since the time of Guru Nanak Dev. Historical accounts relay that all Sikh Gurus wore turbans, and their followers — Sikhs — have been wearing them since the formation of the faith.
SYMBOLISM AT A GLANCE
| What It Represents | What It Means for a Sikh |
|---|---|
| Sovereignty | A crown of divine concession — the right to spiritual and earthly sovereignty granted by the will of God, as authenticated by the Guru. |
| Dedication | A mark of total commitment to the Sikh Gurus and their teachings, worn every day without exception as an outward declaration of faith. |
| Self-Respect | Born from Guru Nanak’s mission to uplift the downtrodden — the turban was once reserved for kings; now every Sikh wears one as an equal. |
| Courage | A symbol tested under persecution. Sikhs chose death over removing their turbans under tyrannical regimes throughout history. |
| Piety | A constant spiritual reminder that the wearer is an instrument of the Guru and a servant of the Divine Presence. |
| Accountability | Since the turban-wearing Sikh represents the Guru, their actions reflect on the Guru and the entire Sikh nation. |
| Identity | Instantly recognisable — the turban proclaims the wearer as a follower of Guru Nanak and a member of the Sikh community worldwide. |
HISTORICAL ROOTS
The Turban Across Cultures & ReligionsThe turban’s importance can be found in just about every culture and religion — from the ancient Babylonians to western religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as eastern traditions. It has long been a mark of royalty, holiness and honour across civilisations.
Old Testament
Leviticus 8:9
He put the turban upon his head and set the gold rosette as symbol of holy dedication on the front of the turban as the Lord had commanded him.
Old Testament
Exodus 29:6
Set the turban on his head and the symbol of holy dedication on the turban. Take the anointing oil, pour it on his head and anoint him.
Prophet Mohammed
Hadith
The turban is a frontier between faith and unbelief — a true mark of sovereignty and a crown.
Guru Nanak
Guru Granth Sahib
Nanak seeks the company of the lowest of the low class, the very lowest of the low. Where the lowly are cared for, there lies the Grace of the Merciful Bestower.
Sirdar Kapur Singh
Theologian, 1989
The Sikhs’ right to earthly sovereignty is based on the Will of God as authenticated by the Guru, and therefore, other inferior sanctions are unnecessary.
Turban In Punjab
Since ancient times, the turban has been of significant importance in Punjab — the land of the five rivers and the birthplace of Sikhism. There was a time when only kings, royalty, and those of high stature wore turbans. Two people would trade their turbans to show love or friendship towards each other. At the time of Sikhism’s birth, the majority of people in India comprised the lower castes — mainly peasants, labourers and servants. Many were literally owned by the upper castes and were severely maltreated. The Sikh Gurus sought to end all caste distinctions and vehemently opposed stratification of society by any means, working diligently to create an egalitarian society dedicated to justice and equality.
THE TURBAN & EQUALITY
The Sikh Gurus sought to uplift the downtrodden and make them the equals of the highest of the high. The turban is certainly a gift of love from the founders of the Sikh religion, and is symbolic of a sovereignty that is of divine concession. By giving the turban to all Sikhs regardless of their social standing, the Gurus declared that every Sikh was a king or queen in their own right.
“Nanak seeks the company of the lowest of the low class, the very lowest of the low. Why should he try to compete with the great? Where the lowly are cared for, there lies the Grace of the Merciful Bestower.”
— Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib
The turban serves as a mark of commitment to the Sikh Gurus. It distinguishes a Sikh as an instrument of the Guru and decrees accountability for certain spiritual and temporal duties. It is a mark of the Guru and declares that the Sikh wearing a turban is a servant of the Divine Presence. Wearing the turban gives much inner strength as well.
THE RESPONSIBILITY
At the same time, there is a great deal of responsibility accompanied by the turban. A person’s actions are no longer just tied to him or her alone. Since Sikhs who wear the turban represent the Guru, their actions also reflect on the Guru and the Sikh Nation. In this sense, the turban serves to increase a Sikh’s commitment to Sikhism and lends to his or her becoming a more disciplined and virtuous person. The turban deepens the connection between the Sikh and the Guru. It proclaims the followers of Guru Nanak as Sikhs but at the same time, it is not what makes them Sikhs — that comes from within. Sikhs take this gift of the Guru with them everywhere they go. Just by being exposed to this regal quality, their attitudes and psyche get shaped in a certain way — they carry with them always a responsibility to represent the Guru with honour and dignity.
THE TURBAN UNDER PERSECUTION
Due to its distinguishable nature, the turban has often been a target during times of persecution. There have been times in the relatively short history of the Sikh nation when wearing a turban was reason enough for one’s head to be cut off by tyrannical regimes of the time. After all, it is in times of adversity that faith is tested and one must prove true to core values. By adorning their turbans, Sikhs serve as ambassadors of the Sikh faith and commit externally to following the path laid down by the Sikh Gurus. True submission, of course, occurs internally.
As Sikhs tie their turbans each day, they should be heedful that it represents a very real commitment to the founders of the Sikh faith. The turban is deeply intertwined with the Sikh identity and is a manifestation of the mission given to all Sikhs — to act as a divine prince or princess by standing firm against tyranny and protecting the downtrodden.
