Takhts of Sikhism

What is a Takht?

Takht is a Persian word that means the throne of a king.

The role of a Takht in Sikhism is to issue Hukmnama on issues that affect the Sikh community. The first Hukmnama was issued by Guru Hargobind from the Akal Takht in Amritsar.

How many Takhts are there?

At present there are five Takhts - the fifth one at Damdama Sahib Amritsar having been added in November 1966. All the five Takhts are within the territory of India.

Akal Takht is the oldest Takht. It stands for the political sovereignty of the Sikhs. It was established in 1606 by Guru Hargobind, and is the only one to have been personally built by a Sikh Guru, which makes it the foremost amongst all.

It's on a raised platform just opposite, and facing the main entrance of the Golden Temple. The Akal Takht is a five storey building with prakash of the Guru Granth Sahib on the first floor.

Any Hukmnama that affects the entire Sikh community is issued from the Akal Takht. It is read by the Akal Takht Jathedar from the balcony of the building, in consultation with the Jathedars of the other four Takhts.

Takht Keshgarh is located at Anandpur Sahib - the historical gurudwara where Guru Gobind Singh initiated the Khalsa Panth in 1699.

Takht Patna Sahib is for the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh. Takht Damdama Sahib is the place where Guru Gobind Singh spent many months. Takht Hazur Sahib at Nanded, Maharashtra is the place where he was cremated in 1708.

Historical References

Historical references of the Sikh Takhts are found in the literature of the 18-th century. Very little information is found on the three takhts - Damdama Sahib, Hazur Sahib and the Takht Patna Sahib. A stamp believed to have been used by Guru Gobind Singh has been preserved at the Takht Damdama Sahib.