Abstract
The Akal Takht is considered to be the central seat of authority in the Sikh tradition. This article uses theories of legitimacy and authority to explore the validity of the authority and legitimacy of the Akal Takht and its leaders throughout time. Starting from the initial institution of the Akal Takht and ending at the Akal Takht today, the article applies Weber’s three types of legitimate authority to the various leaderships and custodianships throughout Sikh history. The article also uses Berger and Luckmann’s theory of the symbolic universe to establish the constant presence of traditional authority in the leadership of the Akal Takht. Merton’s concept of group norms is used to explain the loss of legitimacy at certain points of history, even if one or more types of Weber’s legitimate authority match the situation. This article shows that the Akal Takht’s authority, as with other political religious institutions, is in the reciprocal relationship between the Sikh population and those in charge. This fluidity in authority is used to explain and offer a solution on the issue of authenticity and authority in the Sikh tradition.
Highlights
The Akal Takht, originally known as the Akal Bunga, is the seat of temporal and spiritual authority of the Sikh tradition
The foundation of the Akal Takht was laid by Guru Hargobind after the execution of his father, Guru Arjan, by the Mughal Regime
Sikhs and non-Sikhs accepted the Akal Takht as the center of authority of Sikh tradition which led into level four of legitimization, where the institution of the Akal Takht became a part of the symbolic universe in the Sikh universe, wherein it became the seat of Sikh temporal and spiritual authority
Summary
The Akal Takht, originally known as the Akal Bunga, is the seat of temporal and spiritual authority of the Sikh tradition. The Takht was initially built twelve feet high as a challenge to the Mughal government, as only superior government officials were permitted to sit on elevated platforms and address the populace It was likely built higher than typical Mughal thrones to signify the higher authority that the Guru possessed in comparison to the Mughal rulers, as the physical elevation of a person is a sign of royalty, sovereignty, and respect in South Asia. The two nishan sahibs, or flags, outside of the Akal Takht are slightly different in length, with the nishan representing mırıbeing slightly shorter than the nishan representing pırı; the two nishans are connected by a circular insignia with the inscription of “Ik Onkar and Khanda” to show the connectedness of the two structures.
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