About Turban & Turban History

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TurbanKing.com is an online web portal which is promoting Sikhism and Turban from last 9 years. It is religious cum Punjabi's cultural website having large fan following. As we all know the youth of Punjab is cutting off from our culture and mainly from turban tying. They feel it is time consuming process to tying a turban daily before going outside anywhere. But they are forgetting "A SARDAAR" definition which we inherited from our great religion and Dashmesh Father Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. We dream to bring Sikhism into fashion manner in this era of trend setting world to connect our youth with religion and culture. We want to see our ethics alive not only for this generation but for upcoming generations as well. For this task, we started TurbanKing.com. We have been promoting Turban through our Facebook page from last 5 years and now we are going to bring this mission in e-commerce section. This project is far more bigger than we did previously in this field. Our mission is to create a fusion of culture and fashion so that everyone can adopt it very easily and happily. It would be reflected in our products how we are doing hard work on our designs and unique concepts.

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A Dastaar (Punjabi: ਦਸਤਾਰ, dastāar, from Persian: دستار‎‎) or Pagṛi (Punjabi: ਪਗੜੀ) or Pagg (Punjabi: ਪੱਗ), is an item of headgear associated with Sikhism and is an important part of the Sikh culture. Wearing a Sikh turban is mandatory for all Amritdhari (initiated) Sikh men and women.

Among the Sikhs, the Dastaar is an article of faith that represents honour, self-respect, courage, spirituality, and piety. The Khalsa Sikh men and women, who keep the Five Ks, wear the turban partly to cover their long, uncut hair (kesh). The Khalsa Sikhs regard the Dastaar as an important part of the unique Sikh identity.

 

 The Turban has been an important part of the Sikh religion since the time of the First Guru. Guru Angad Dev honoured Guru Amar Das with a special Dastaar when he was declared the next Guru. At the time when Guru Ram Das passed on, Guru Arjun Dev was honoured with the Dastaar of Guruship.

Marne di pag Pirthiye badhi. Guriyaee pag Arjan Ladhi

Guru Gobind Singh, the last human Sikh Guru, wrote:

Kangha dono vaqt kar, paag chune kar bandhai. ("Comb your hair twice a day and tie your turban carefully, turn by turn.")

Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu, one of the earliest Sikh historians, wrote in Sri Gur Panth Parkash:

Doi vele utth bandhyo dastare, pahar aatth rakhyo shastar sambhare

Kesan ki kijo pritpal, nah(i) ustran se katyo vaal

Tie your Dastaar twice a day and wear shaster (weapons to protect dharma), and keep them with care, 24 hours a day. Take good care of your hair. Do not cut or damage your hair.

 In the Khalsa society, the turban signifies many virtues:

Spirituality

The Dastaar is a symbol of spirituality and holiness in Sikhism.

Honour and self-respect

The Dastaar is also a symbol of honour and self-respect. In the Punjabi culture, those who have selflessly served the community are traditionally honoured with turbans.

Responsibility

Rasam Pagri ("Turban ceremony") is a ceremony in North India. Rasam Pagri takes place, when a man passes away and his oldest son takes over the family responsibilities by tying the turban in front of a large gathering. It signifies that now he has shouldered the responsibility of his father and he is the head of the family.

Piety and moral values

The Dastaar also signifies piety and purity of mind. In the Punjabi society, the Khalsa Sikhs are considered as protectors of the weak, even among the non-Sikhs. In the older times, the Khalsa warriors moved from village to village at night, during the battles. When they needed a place to hide from the enemy, the womenfolk, who had a very high degree of trust in them used to let them inside their houses. It was a common saying in Punjab: Aye nihang, booha khol de nishang ("The nihangs are at the door. Dear woman! go ahead open the door without any fear whatsoever.")

Courage

Sikhs wear a Dastaar, partly to cover their long hair, which is never cut, as per the wish of their last human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. There are many references in the Sikh history that describe how Guru Gobind Singh personally tied beautiful dumalas (Dastaar) on the heads of both his elder sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, and how he personally gave them arms, decorated them like bridegrooms, and sent them to the battlefield at Chamkaur Sahib where they both died as martyrs. A saffron-colored turban is especially identified with courage, sacrifice and martyrdom.

Friendship and relationship

Pag Vatauni ("exchange of turban") is a Punjabi custom, in which the men exchange Dastaars with their closest friends. Once they exchange turbans they become friends for life and forge a permanent relationship. They take a solemn pledge to share their joys and sorrows under all circumstances. Exchanging turban is a glue that can bind two individuals or families together for generations.

Sayings

There are many Punjabi idioms and proverbs that describe how important is a Dastaar in one's life. Bhai Gurdas writes:

Tthande khuhu naike pag visar(i) aya sir(i) nangai

Ghar vich ranna(n) kamlia(n) dhussi liti dekh(i) kudhange

("A man, after taking a bath at the well during winter time, forgot his Dastaar at the well and came home bareheaded.

When the women saw him at home without a Dastaar, they thought someone had died and they started to cry.")

Sign of Sikhism

The Dastaar is considered an important part of the unique Sikh identity. The bare head is not considered appropriate as per gurbani. If a Sikh wants to become one with his/her Guru, he/she must look like a guru (wear a Dastaar). Guru Gobind Singh stated:

Khalsa mero roop hai khaas. Khalse me hau karo niwas.

("Khalsa is a true picture of mine. I live in Khalsa.")

Maintaining long hair and tying Dastaar is seen as a token of love and obedience of the wishes of Sikh gurus. A quote from Sikhnet:

“

The Dastaar is our Guru's gift to us. It is how we crown ourselves as the Singhs and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our own higher consciousness. For men and women alike, this projective identity conveys royalty, grace, and uniqueness. It is a signal to others that we live in the image of Infinity and are dedicated to serving all. The turban doesn't represent anything except complete commitment. When you choose to stand out by tying your Dastaar, you stand fearlessly as one single person standing out from six billion people. It is a most outstanding act.

Styles of Turbans

Men's Double Patti (Nok)

This is a very common Sikh turban style. It is very common in Punjab, India. The Nok is a double wide Dastaar. 6 meters of the Dastaar cloth are cut in half, then into two 3 meter pieces. They are then sewn together to make it Double wide, thus creating a "Double Patti," or a Nok Dastarr. This Dastaar is larger than most Sikh dastars, but contains fewer wraps around the head.

Chand Tora

This style of turban is generally worn by Nihang Sikh men . This is a warrior style Dastaar meant for going into battle. The "Chand Tora" is a metal symbol consisting of a crescent and a double edged sword, it is held in place at the front of the Dastaar by woven chainmail cord tied in a pattern within the Dastaar to protect the head from slashing weapons.

Amritsar Dhamala

This is the most common Dhamala Dastaar. It consists of:

• one 5 meter piece (Pavo Blue)
• one 11 meter piece any color, commonly sabz (white) and pavo blue. Both pieces are 35 cm wide, and referred to in Amritsar as Dhamala Material.

Basic Dhamala

This is a very simple and basic Dhamala Sikh Dastaar. This is the most popular turban among young Sikhs of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and also quite popular among those of Damdami Taksal in countries like America, the United Kingdom and Canada.

General Sikh Dastaar

Another common Sikh Dastaar style for men. Unlike the "double patti" Dastaar, the Dastaar is longer and goes 7 times around the head. If you use the "Notai" technique and have a big joora (hair knot), do not make it right in front at your forehead. You will end up tying the Dastaar on the joora, and it will make your Dastaar look very high and big. According to modern Punjabi style the last (larh) of Dastaar is given a "V" shape by using the Dastaar pin. Sikhs also use a specially designed Dastaar Needle (Punjabi:Salai,ਸਲਾਈ OR Baaj,ਬਾਜ) to tuck their hair inside from Dastaar and Patka and also to maintain Dastaar cleanliness.

Patka/Keski Dastaar

This is a common sikh Dastaar among young boys. It is normally used as more of a casual Pugree, or sometimes for sports. Commonly, this is a peela (shade of yellow) coloured turban. Contrary to popular belief Patkas are actually types of Dastaars.

Patiala Shahi Turban

Nowadays this type of dastar is widely famous in boys.This type of dastar was first tied by Patiala King Bhupinder Singh.From his name the name of this type is originated 'Patiala Shahi'

Morni Pagg/Pochvi Pagg

It is a very famous style of turban and is very pointed. These are the basic Sikh Turban types. Turban theory states that the main pagri types are starting points, and anyone can invent their own Dastar styles.

In May 2009, The Times of India reported that British researchers were trying to make a "bulletproof turban" that would allow the Sikhs in the British police to serve in firearms units.

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Harassment faced by turban-wearing Sikhs

After the September 11, 2001 attacks in USA, a number of Turban-wearing Sikhs faced assaults by some Americans who confused them with Muslims, who were being associated with terrorism. The United States Department of Justice worked with the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) to issue a poster aimed at getting Americans acquainted with Sikh turbans.

 

Turban Training Centre or Turban Tying Centre (Punjabi: ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ ਕੇਂਦਰ) (Hindi: दस्तार सिखलाई केंद्र) are training-cum-tying institutes opened by professionals, who train Sikhs, in tying Dastar on their heads. They also tie Dastar for those people who do not know how to tie turban, charging fees. Their regular clients include industrialists, businessmen, doctors, engineers, transporters and students.

Turban training centers have opened mostly in main cities of Punjab, such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Patiala, Amritsar. Baptized male Sikhs cover their hair with a turban, while baptized female Sikhs may do so. However, the trend of wearing turban declined due to fashion and youngsters preferring to keep cut hair and a clean shaved face. Regional Punjabi film Stars and Punjabi music icons such as Inderjit Nikku, Diljit Dosanjh, Lehmber Hussainpuri, Ravinder Grewal, Ammy Virk, Ranjit Bawa who always wear Turban in their films and music videos have inspired Sikh youths to wear turbans.

Several styles of Sikh turban are popular, including Patiala Shahi", "Morni Dastaar", "Free Style Patiala Shahi Turban","Pochvi Dastaar", "Barnala Shahi", "Amritsar shahi" "Vatta Vaali" and "Dumalla/Dhamalla" for baptised Sikhs. "Dabbi Vaale Parne" a casual turban is mostly worn by farmers in villagers and has been popularized by Diljit Dosanjh,Nikku and now popularized in cities as well.Barring these, a simple turban with the shape and size of individual liking is tied. The length of cloth of any of the above styles varies according to personal suiting.

Some centres also provide training in Dumalla style, which is basic attire for all baptized Sikhs and can also teach Parna a casual turban to all category of Sikhs. Many Sabat Surat Turban Trainers/Tyers have inspired Sabat Surat Sikh Youth and other clean shaven males to wear Dastar to keep hair back and reject caps. Many turban trainers offer training camps in Non-Punjab States like Delhi.

 

The Sikh turban, known as the Dastar or a Dumalla or a "Pagg" cultural name, the turban is used to show others that they represent the embodiment of Sikh teachings, the love of the Guru and dogma to do good deeds, the turban also protects Sikh's long unshorn hair and keep hair clean. The turban is mandatory for all members of Khalsa (Initiated Sikhs) to wear. The Rajastani turban is also commonly called the pagari (in the West, many Sikhs who wear pagri are sometimes mistaken for Muslims or Arabs.).

All Sikh Gurus since Guru Nanak have worn turbans. However, covering one's hair with a turban was made an official policy by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. The main reasons to wear turban are to take care of the hair, promote equality, and preserve the Sikh identity. Sikh women may wear a turban if they wish.

Sikhs do not cut their hair, as a religious observance. The turban protects the hair and keeps it clean. As Sikhs only form 2% of India's population, their turbans help identify them. When he institutionalized the turban as a part of the Sikh identity, Guru Gobind Singh said, "My Sikh will be recognized among millions."

Turbans were formerly associated with the upper class, and many men in the cultural elite still wear turbans. This distinction between the turban-wearing upper class (Sardars) and commoners promoted segregation and elitism. In order to eliminate the class system associated with turbans, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared each and every Sikh a Sardar. He also rejected the caste system by giving all Sikhs the last names Singh (Lion) or Kaur (Princess).

Modern Sikh men mainly wear four kinds of Turban. Morni Turban, Patiala Shahi Turban, Vattan Wali Turban and Amritsar Shahi Turban. The Dumalla style is more traditional and can be recognized by its horizontal wraps, versus the peaked wraps as seen in the aforementioned styles. The Dumalla is becoming more popular among Sikh youth (men and women).

The Dastar Bunga is the style of turban generally worn by Akali Singhs in battle. The "Chand Tora" is a metal symbol consisting of a crescent and a double edged sword, held in place at the front of the turban by a woven chainmail cord tied in a pattern within the turban to protect the head from slashing weapons. The purpose of the Tora is to keep the dastaar together. It goes over the bunga (inner turban) to protect it. It is also used for keeping shastars (small weapons) in place.

The most common turban colors worn by Sikhs are blue, white, orange, and black, although other colors are very popular as well. Orange and yellow are particularly prestigious and tend to be worn on religious events such as Vaisakhi. Akali Nihang Sikhs decorate their turbans or Dumalla by wearing small weapons known as shastars in them. The turban's color may reflect association with a particular group of Sikhs, although none of the popular turban colors are exclusive to any particular group. Meanings of the turbans are that the white turban means a saintly person leading an exemplary life. The blue turban signifies a mind a broad as the sky with no place for prejudice. The black turban is a reminder of the British persecution of the Sikhs in 1919, and represents humility. The orange turban is representative of courage and wisdom. Royal blue is usually worn who are those who are learned the Sikh religion. Also as well turban colors are generally a matter of personal choice in Sikhism, with many Sikh men choosing colors based on fashion or taste choosing a turban color to match clothes. There are traditions associated with some colors, for instance orange and black are often worn at political protest rallies whilst red and pink turbans are worn at weddings and other celebratory events