Social and Religious Practices in Punjab at Guru Nanak's First Presence

The prevailing social and religious practices in Punjab when Guru Nanak appeared on the scene are meticulously related to the consequences of violent invasions and the conflict of the Hindu and Islamic culture. This clash of cultures not only has a fundamental imprint in the history of India, it plays a vital role in how Guru Nanak came to understood the issues of society and religion at his time. In order to effectively understand this clash and its consequences, it is crucial to draw back on Indian history. However, this clash of cultures must be also understood with prospective of: how these two religions actually migrated to India, how they conflicted each other beliefs and practices, how they effected the well-being of the people over time, and how it created a chain reaction of socio-political, economic, and religious issues.

Looking back at Indian history, it is also evident that invasions forced many social consequences and culture clashes; for example in 500 AD, the Asian Invasion and in 700 AD, the Arabs conquering part of Sindh. Many invasions throughout Indian history brought along change in the Punjab area; many new languages and interactions brought a change in the culture. However, these invasions also had vital social consequences such as: majority of the invading people were soldiers and women were the most effected victims.

In the 15th and early 16th century, the violence stemmed from the theoretic rule of the Delhi Sultans. The Hindus were faced with great severities and atrocities since the State favored the Muslim and it was the ruler, not the law that reigned (Singh Lecture 2012). As the contest of the throne arose and the death of the Sultan occurred, this sparked the Babar invasion in India. Babar's invasion was destructive and devastating, it was referenced by Guru Nanak, endless times. This was the period of mass killings and innocent bloodshed in Punjab, which set the means of how society adapted its social practices prior to Guru Nanak's presence.

History indicates that prior to Guru Nanak's appearance on the scene, political justice was not the virtue of age in Punjab. Justice, equity, and honor were all dominated by the trait of greed. One of the key factors, which dictated the practices prior to Guru Nanak presence, was people's lack of rebellion against corruption, injustice, cruelty, and inhumanity. The society was based on exploiting each other without any consideration for fraternity, liberty, and equality. Women in society was also degrading at this time, they were confined to their homes and treated like slaves. With many of these social issues present, the rulers instilled further regulations and laws, which additionally supported these poor aspirations among people. Rulers of the State, were very strict to any who opposed their laws; meaning people had to live accordingly. The society was built around the struggle to survival and gain wealth and nothing else;