Nanakpanthi

Estimates

Today, some Punjabis adhere to elements of Sikhism despite being Hindus.^[8][9] They generally do not have beards or wear a turban, unlike Amritdhari Sikhs.^[10]

There is no data about the number of Nanakpanthis; worldwide, there are estimated 25 to 30 million Sikhs.^[11][12] Millions of others also venerate the 10 Sikh gurus and follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib without adhering to a Sikh religious identity:^[A][13] at the time of the 1891 census in British Punjab, out of the estimated 1,8 million Sikhs nearly a third were Hindu Nanakpanthis, but in later British censuses the "Hindu" and "Sikh" identities would become separate and Hindu Nanakpanthis would be classified as Hindus, no more as a Sikh sub-group.^[14]

A number of ethnic groups and sects in India follow the teachings of Guru Nanak and visit gurudwaras, in addition to worshiping Hindu deities at mandirs. The Indian government considers them Hindus for census purposes.^[15] A number of ethnic Punjabis who are Hindu, especially in Indian and Pakistani Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Jammu and Uttarakhand, have continued other religious practices in spiritual kinship with Sikhism.^[16]

Perception by Sikhs

Nanakpanthi, as a label referring to the selective, personal following of Guru Nanak to the exclusion of his successors, was criticized by mainstream Sikh writers such as Bhai Gurdas.^[6]

Before partition

Sikhism was popularized in Sindh by the missionary work of Udasi saints.^[19] Nanakpanthi and Udasi are both Sikh sects; a major difference is that Udasis adopt life-long celibacy, whilst Nanakpanthis marry and have children.^[20] Sikhs from the Punjab may have settled in Sindh during the 16th century to escape persecution, and they and their descendants gradually formed the basis of the Nanakpanthi community.^[21] Guru Nanak reportedly traveled through Sindh, reaching the Shikarpur area and impacting local spirituality.^[2] In the 1881 and 1891 Indian censuses, the Sindhi Hindu community could not decide to identify as Hindu or Sikh.^{[22][page needed]}

India

Many Sindhi Nanakpanthis migrated to India during the 1947 partition, and are found in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.^[2]

Pakistan

Many Sindhi Hindus in India and Pakistan admire Guru Nanak and regularly visit gurudwaras.^[23][24] A Sindhi temple typically houses the Guru Granth Sahib and images of Hindu deities.^[25]