Sikhs Around the World
Sikhi began in Punjab more than 500 years ago. Today there are about 25–30 million Sikhs, and you can find Sikhs and Gurdwaras on every continent. Here is where Sikhs live today, and some of the history that brought them there.
At a glance
🌍 Where Sikhs live today
There are about 25–30 million Sikhs in the world, making Sikhi one of the world’s larger religions.
Most Sikhs live in India, especially in Punjab. There are also large Sikh communities in the UK, Canada, the USA and Australia, and smaller ones in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Kenya, Italy, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. Wherever Sikhs settle, they build Gurdwaras, and the Langar welcomes everyone.
🇮🇳 Sikhs in India
India’s 2011 census counted about 20.8 million Sikhs, around 2% of India’s population.
Most live in Punjab, the only Indian state where Sikhs are the majority. Punjab is home to Sri Darbar Sahib (the Golden Temple) in Amritsar, the Akal Takht, and many historic Gurdwaras. There are also large Sikh communities in Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
🕌 Sikhs in Pakistan
Only a small number of Sikhs live in Pakistan today, but some of the most important places in Sikh history are there. Nankana Sahib is where Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born, Kartarpur Sahib is where he spent his last years, and Panja Sahib and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore are also there.
In November 2019, the Kartarpur Corridor opened, allowing pilgrims from India to visit Kartarpur Sahib without a visa.
🇬🇧 Sikhs in the UK
One of the first Sikhs to live in Britain was Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh Empire, who arrived in 1854. The first Gurdwara in Britain opened in London in 1911.
Many more Sikhs came in the 1950s and 1960s, often to work in factories and transport, and later from East Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. The 2021 census counted 524,140 Sikhs in England and Wales. Large communities live in places such as Southall, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Leicester and Leeds.
🍁 Sikhs in Canada and the USA
Sikhs began arriving in Canada in the early 1900s, many working on farms and in the timber industry in British Columbia. Canada’s 2021 census counted 771,790 Sikhs, about 2% of the population, one of the highest shares of any country outside India. Sikhs serve in Canada’s parliament and government.
Sikhs also settled in California in the early 1900s, and the first Gurdwara in the USA opened in Stockton in 1912. Today there are around 500,000 Sikhs in the USA (an estimate, as the US census does not ask about religion).
🎖️ Sikh soldiers in the World Wars
Sikhs have a long history as brave soldiers. In 1897, 21 Sikh soldiers defended the small fort of Saragarhi against thousands of attackers.
In the First World War (1914–1918), more than 100,000 Sikhs served in the British Indian Army, fighting in France, Belgium, the Middle East and Africa. In the Second World War (1939–1945), around 300,000 Sikhs served. Sikhs were only a small part of India’s population, but a large part of its army.
More than 83,000 turbaned soldiers gave their lives in the two World Wars. Sikh soldiers are remembered every year on Remembrance Day, and memorials in the UK and France honour them.
🗺️ Partition, 1947
In 1947, British rule ended and India and Pakistan became separate countries. Punjab was divided between them.
Millions of people had to leave their homes and cross the new border, and many lost their lives in the violence. Most Sikhs in West Punjab moved to India, leaving behind many historic Gurdwaras, including Nankana Sahib. Sikhs pray in the Ardas for the freedom to visit and care for these Gurdwaras.
🕯️ 1984
🔞 For older readers
This part of history includes painful events, so it is written for older readers.
In June 1984, the Indian Army carried out Operation Blue Star at Sri Darbar Sahib (the Golden Temple) in Amritsar. It took place on the anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s martyrdom, when the complex was full of pilgrims. Many pilgrims were killed, and the Akal Takht was badly damaged.
In October 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated. In the days that followed, thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi and other cities, and many homes and Gurdwaras were burned.
These events caused deep pain for Sikhs everywhere. They are remembered by Sikhs around the world every year, with prayers and gatherings in June and November.
❓ Questions people ask
How many Sikhs are there in the world?
There are about 25–30 million Sikhs in the world. Most live in India, with large communities in the UK, Canada, the USA and Australia.
What is the Sikh population in India?
India’s 2011 census counted about 20.8 million Sikhs, around 2% of the population. Most live in Punjab, the only Indian state with a Sikh majority.
How many Sikhs live in the UK?
The 2021 census counted 524,140 Sikhs in England and Wales. Sikhs began settling in large numbers in the 1950s and 1960s, but one of the first Sikhs in Britain was Maharaja Duleep Singh, who arrived in 1854.
How many Sikhs live in Canada?
Canada’s 2021 census counted 771,790 Sikhs, about 2% of the population. Sikhs first arrived in British Columbia in the early 1900s.
Are there Sikhs in Pakistan?
Yes, though only a small number live there today. Pakistan is home to many historic Gurdwaras, including Nankana Sahib, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born, and Kartarpur Sahib. The Kartarpur Corridor opened in 2019 so pilgrims from India can visit without a visa.
How many Sikh soldiers fought in the World Wars?
More than 100,000 Sikhs served in the First World War and around 300,000 in the Second World War, in the British Indian Army. More than 83,000 turbaned soldiers died in the two wars. Sikhs still serve in the British Army today.
What happened to Sikhs during Partition in 1947?
When India and Pakistan became separate countries in 1947, Punjab was divided. Millions of people had to leave their homes, many lost their lives, and Sikhs had to leave behind many historic Gurdwaras in what became Pakistan.
What happened to Sikhs in 1984?
In June 1984, the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star at Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar killed many pilgrims and badly damaged the Akal Takht. In October and November 1984, after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated, thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi and other cities. Sikhs remember these events every year.