Namdhari

The Namdharis (Gurmukhi: ਨਾਮਧਾਰੀ; Devanagari: नामधारी; nāmadhārī, meaning "bearers of the name"), also known as Kuka and Kukaism (Gurmukhi: ਕੂਕਾ; kūkā [sg]; ਕੂਕੇ; kūkē [pl]: from Punjabi kuk, “scream” or “cry”), are a Sikh sect that differs from mainstream Sikhs chiefly in that it believes that the lineage of Sikh Gurus did not end with Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708), as they recognize Balak Singh (1797–1862) as the 11th Guru of the Sikh religion, thus continuing the succession of Sikh Gurus through the centuries from Guru Nanak Dev to the present day. The 12th Guru was Ram Singh (1816–1885), who moved the sects centre to Bhaini Sahib (Ludhiana) and is regarded as the first Indian to use non-cooperation and non-violence boycott in order to combat the British Empire in India. The most common names for the sect are Namdhari or Kuka. Some texts refer to them as Jagiasi or Abhiasi. Namdhari Sikhs believes that the lineage of Sikh gurus did not end with Guru Gobind Singh and that he did not die at Nanded, instead he was able to escape. They recognize Balak Singh (1797–1862) as the 11th Guru of the Sikh religion, thus continuing the succession of Sikh Gurus through the centuries from Guru Nanak Dev to the present day. Each member of the Namdhari community is given Amrit at a young age, they do not consume meat, alcohol or drugs. The 12th Guru was Ram Singh (1816–1885), who moved the sects centre to Bhaini Sahib (Ludhiana) and is regarded as the first Indian to use non-cooperation and non-violence boycott in order to combat the British Empire in India. The Namdhari's are advocates for Guru Nanak Dev 's message and philosophy of sharing your wealth and food with the needy, earn an honest living and to unifying with the creator by appreciating and reciting the lords Naam. They did not believe in any religious ritual other than the repetition of their god's name (or nam, for which reason members of the sect are called Namdharis), rejecting the worship of idols, graves, tombs, gods, or goddesses.