Satnami Community & Satnami Revolt

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Context (IE): The Satnami community in Chhattisgarh violently protested against the desecration of a Jaitkhamb, a structure of sacred importance. The tallest Jaitkhamb in Chhattisgarh, located about 5 km from Giraud village in Baloda Bazar district, marks the birthplace of Guru Ghasidas.

Guru Ghasidas Jaitkham

The Satnami community was founded in 1657 by Birbhan in Narnaul (present-day Haryana). The term "sat naam" (meaning "true name") was popularized by the 15th-century Bhakti poet Kabir. The sect is believed to be an offshoot of the Ravidassia sect, with Udhodas, the guru of Birbhan and a disciple of Saint Ravidas, being the first spiritual leader of the Satnamis. The community traces its theological lineage to Guru Ghasidas, an 18th-century saint who emphasized social equality and rejected caste-based discrimination. The key principles of the sect include wearing the attire of a Satnami devotee, earning money through proper means, and not tolerating any form of injustice or oppression.

Historical Background and Evolution

Early Origins: The remnants of the earliest Satnamis contributed to the formation of the Sadh sect in the early 19th century. The Satnami community saw a revival in the mid-eighteenth century in present-day Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Jagjivandas of Barabanki district. Influenced by the Sufi mystic Yari Shah, Jagjivandas promoted the worship of an overarching creator God as nirguna, best revered through self-discipline and the use of the "true name".

Prominent Figures: The most significant Satnami group was founded in 1820 in the Chhattisgarh region by Guru Ghasidas. His Satnam Panth provided a religious and social identity for many Chhattisgarhi Chamars. Satnamis initially belonged to an “untouchable” caste engaged in leatherwork but have since diversified into farming, artisanship, and other professions.

Present Day: Today, the Satnami community comprises a significant portion of the Scheduled Caste population in Chhattisgarh, primarily inhabiting the central plains in districts like Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, and Raipur. Over time, many Satnamis adopted caste-Hindu practices and integrated themselves into the Hindu mainstream.

Satnami Revolt

Historical Context: The Satnami Revolt occurred in 1672 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Narnaul (present-day Haryana). The revolt was fueled by the revival of the Islamic Jiziya tax on non-Muslims, the banning of music and art, and the destruction of Hindu temples. The immediate cause was the mistreatment of a Satnami by a Mughal official, sparking widespread anger among the Satnamis.

Rebellion and Outcome: Initially, the Satnami rebels achieved some military successes against Mughal forces. However, they were eventually defeated by a larger Mughal army.