The map above shows an interesting fact. While the majority of Sikhs live in India and Sikhism itself comes from there, the country with the highest share of Sikhs is not India but Canada.The map below shows that only 3 countries have a Sikh population above 1%:The numbers for the maps come from Wikipedia which gives:CountryNo. of SikhsSikh %% of all SikhsIndia20,833,1161.72%88.72%Canada771,7902.12%3.29%United Kingdom524,5290.85%2.23%United States280,0000.08%1.19%Italy220,0000.37%0.94%Australia210,4000.83%0.90%Malaysia100,0000.30%0.43%Thailand70,0000.10%0.30%New Zealand53,4061.07%0.23%United Arab Emirates52,0000.56%0.22%Portugal35,0000.34%0.15%Oman33,7040.75%0.14%France30,0000.04%0.13%Philippines28,4360.03%0.12%Spain26,0000.05%0.11%Greece20,0000.19%0.09%Germany18,0000.02%0.08%Pakistan15,9980.01%0.07%Kuwait15,0000.35%0.06%Netherlands15,0000.08%0.06%Indonesia15,0000.01%0.06%South Africa13,0000.02%0.06%Singapore12,0510.35%0.05%Hong Kong12,0000.16%0.05%Belgium10,0000.09%0.04%Austria9,0000.04%0.04%Saudi Arabia6,7000.02%0.03%Kenya Kenya6,0000.01%0.03%Norway4,0800.08%0.02%Denmark4,0000.07%0.02%Sweden4,0000.04%0.02%Fiji2,5770.31%0.01%Uganda2,4000.01%0.01%Ireland2,1830.04%0.01%Nepal6090.00%0.00%Panama3020.01%0.00%Argentina3000.00%0.00%Brazil3000.00%0.00%Georgia2000.01%0.00%Trinidad and Tobago1500.01%0.00%Afghanistan1400.00%0.00%Iceland1000.03%0.00%Iran1000.00%0.00%Bangladesh23,0000.01%0.10%Cyprus2,2600.24%0.01%Total23,482,8310.29%100.00%More about Sikhs:Who are Sikhs?Sikhs are followers of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion that began in the Punjab region of South Asia in the late 15th century. Sikh identity is both religious and cultural, centred on equality, service, and devotion to one God.The word “Sikh” means “learner” or “disciple”.Core Beliefs of SikhismSikhism emphasizes a simple but powerful set of principles:One GodBelief in one formless, eternal GodGod is universal—beyond religion, gender, or ethnicityEquality of All PeopleRejects caste, class, and gender inequalityEveryone is equal before GodHonest Living & ServiceEarn a living honestly (kirat karo)Share with others (vand chhako)Remember God (naam japo)Community & Service (Langar)Free communal meals served to all in Sikh temples (gurdwaras)Symbolizes equality and serviceThe Five Ks (for initiated Sikhs, the Khalsa)Kesh (uncut hair)Kara (steel bracelet)Kanga (comb)Kachera (special shorts)Kirpan (ceremonial sword)Founding & HistoryGuru Nanak (1469–1539)Founder of SikhismTaught unity of God, rejection of ritualism, and equalityHis teachings are recorded in the Guru Granth SahibThe Ten GurusSikhism was developed by a line of 10 human GurusThe last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa in 1699:A community of initiated Sikhs committed to justice and disciplineFormalized Sikh identity (including the Five Ks)Guru Granth SahibAfter Guru Gobind Singh, the scripture became the eternal GuruCentral to Sikh worship and lifeSikh History: Conflict & EmpireSikhs faced persecution under the Mughal EmpireBecame militarized to defend their faith and communitiesEstablished the Sikh Empire (1799–1849) under Maharaja Ranjit SinghBased in PunjabKnown for religious tolerance and strong governanceLater annexed by the British after the Anglo-Sikh WarsSikhism in the Modern EraPartition of India (1947)Punjab was split between India and PakistanMany Sikhs migrated to IndiaCaused major displacement and violencePost-independenceSikh population concentrated in Indian PunjabDiaspora expanded globallyWhy Do So Many Sikhs Live in Canada?Canada has one of the largest Sikh populations outside India (~800,000+).Here’s why: Early Migration (Late 1800s–Early 1900s)Sikhs (mostly Punjabi men) arrived in British ColumbiaWorked in logging, railways, and farming British Empire ConnectionIndia and Canada were both part of the British EmpireEasier migration pathways initially Immigration Policy Changes (1960s onward)Canada removed race-based immigration restrictionsOpened doors for skilled migrants and families Family SponsorshipEarly migrants brought relatives → strong chain migration Economic OpportunitiesJobs, education, and stability attracted more migrants Multicultural PolicyCanada officially embraces multiculturalismSikhs can maintain identity (e.g., turbans allowed in police, military) Community NetworksStrong Sikh institutions (gurdwaras, cultural groups)Cities like Surrey, Brampton, and Vancouver became hubsSikh Identity TodaySikhs are known for:Visible identity (turbans, uncut hair)Strong emphasis on charity and serviceActive political and social engagement in diaspora countriesSikh communities are highly influential in Canada:Sikh politicians, ministers, and community leadersOne of the fastest-growing religious groups in the country