A Sikh is a follower of Sikhi (Sikhism), a monotheistic religion that originated in the 15th century from the Punjab region

in the Indian subcontinent.[24] The term "Sikh" means disciple, student, or (ika).[25][26] Some historians suggest that the name "Sikh" is derived from the ancient term "Saka".[27] A Sikh is a disciple/subject of the Guru. According to the Guru Granth Sahib, the Guru of the Sikhs, the definition of a Sikh follows: One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name. Upon arising early in the morning, the Sikh is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar. Following the Instructions of the Guru, the Sikh is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased. Then, at the rising of the sun, the Sikh is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, the Sikh is to meditate on the Lord's Name. One who meditates on my Lord, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food that Gursikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind. That person, unto whom my Lord and Master is kind and compassionate upon that Gursikh, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed. Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that Gursikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it."[28] According to Article I of the "Rehat Maryada" (the Sikh code of conduct and conventions), a Sikh is defined as "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh; the Guru Granth Sahib; the teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru; and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion".[29] Sikhs believe in the equality of humankind, the concept of universal brotherhood and One Supreme transcendent and immanent God (Ik Onkar). The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak. The origins of Sikhism lie in the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors. The essence of Sikh teaching is summed up by Nanak in these words: "Realisation of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living".[30] Sikh teaching emphasizes the principle of equality of all humans and rejects discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, and gender. According to Sikh tradition, the Guru spread his teachings wherever he travelled. Near the end of his life the Guru had many followers from many walks of life and religions. The Guruship was consecutively passed down to nine other Gurus, who were stated to have the divine light of God with them. These Gurus strengthened and expanded the Sikh religion and the revelations of God. The final and last Guruship was bestowed upon a combined institution of holy-book (Granth) immersed in The Guru Granth Sahib Ji[31] and people(Panth) i.e the Guru Khalsa. Most male Sikhs have Singh (lion) as their last name and most female Sikhs have Kaur (princess) as their last name. Sikhs who have undergone the khane-k-pahul, the Sikh initiation ceremony, can also be recognised by the Five Ks: uncut hair (Kesh); an iron/steel bracelet (kara); a Kirpan, a sword tucked in a gatra strap; Kachehra, a cotton undergarment; and a Kanga, a small wooden comb. Baptised male Sikhs must cover their hair with a turban, while baptised female Sikhs can choose to wear a turban. The greater Punjab region is the historical homeland of the Sikhs, although significant communities exist around the world. In the Gur Grath Shib, the Sikh scripture, the concept of the supreme reality is dynamic and idealised. The many pluralities represented by concepts such as nirgua-sagua or the transcendent-immanent are subsumed in it. God is nirgua or without attributes. Yet God is sagua or with attributes, too, because in the manifested state all attributes are divine. At the same time the ultimate reality of God never binds itself to any specific forms of image. Sikhism strictly rejects avatrvd or belief in divine incarnation and idol worship. Sikhism believes in one supreme being which is real and immanent and only experienceable in this creation; technically there is nothing in this creation which is devoid of it and distinct of it.