Namdhari

Summary

The Namdharis, also known as Kuka, are a Sikh sect that differs from mainstream Sikhs chiefly in their belief that the lineage of Sikh Gurus did not end with Satguru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) in 1708, as they recognise Satguru Balak Singh (1797–1862) as the 11th Guru of the Sikh religion, thus continuing the succession of Sikh Gurus through the centuries from Satguru Nanak Dev to the present day. Their 12th Guru is Satguru Ram Singh [1816–1885(disputed)], who moved the sect's centre to Sri 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.