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The Sikh general assembly summoned by the Akali leadership in 1920 aimed to elect a committee to administer only the Harimandir Sahib Complex.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Sikh general assembly of November 1920 aimed to elect a committee responsible for administering the Harimandir Sahib Complex and other significant historical gurdwaras, not solely the Harimandir Sahib.
The British government established its own committee of 36 Sikhs to manage the Harimandir Sahib after the Sikh conference had already taken place.
Answer: False
Explanation: The British government established its 36-member committee to manage the Harimandir Sahib two days before the scheduled Sikh general assembly, not after it had taken place.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was initially formed with 175 members, including those from the government-appointed committee.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was formed with 175 elected members, and notably, the members of the British government's previously appointed committee were incorporated into this larger body.
Master Tara Singh was elected as the first vice president of the newly formed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Answer: False
Explanation: Harbans Singh Attari was the first vice president of the newly formed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, not Master Tara Singh.
The formation of the SGPC provided a unified direction for the movement to reform Sikh religious places.
Answer: True
Explanation: The establishment of the SGPC served as a pivotal development, providing a centralized authority and clear direction for the ongoing movement to reform and manage Sikh religious institutions.
When and where did the general assembly of Sikhs, summoned by the Akali leadership for the foundation of the SGPC, take place?
Answer: November 15, 1920, in the vicinity of the Akal Takht in Amritsar
Explanation: The general assembly of Sikhs, which laid the groundwork for the SGPC, convened on November 15, 1920, near the Akal Takht in Amritsar.
Who was the first vice president of the newly formed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee?
Answer: Harbans Singh Attari
Explanation: Harbans Singh Attari was appointed as the first vice president of the newly constituted Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Who was the governor of Punjab in the early 1920s who proposed a five-member committee to help Sikhs gain possession of important gurdwaras?
Answer: Malcolm Hailey
Explanation: Malcolm Hailey, the governor of Punjab in the early 1920s, proposed a five-member committee as part of his efforts to assist Sikhs in gaining control of significant gurdwaras.
The Gurdwara Act was signed into law on July 28, 1925, by the Governor of Punjab.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Gurdwara Act was signed into law on July 28, 1925, by the Viceroy of India, not the Governor of Punjab.
The Gurdwara Act of 1925 established a Central Gurdwara Board, which later changed its designation to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Gurdwara Act of 1925 indeed established a Central Gurdwara Board, which subsequently adopted the designation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
After the Gurdwara Act was passed, the Punjab government continued to declare the SGPC as an unlawful association.
Answer: False
Explanation: After the Gurdwara Act was passed, the Punjab government withdrew its previous orders and officially recognized the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee as the legitimate representative body of the Sikhs.
Master Tara Singh and several other Akalis refused conditional release after the Gurdwara Act, viewing it as an attack on Sikh self-respect.
Answer: True
Explanation: Master Tara Singh and fifteen other Akalis indeed refused conditional release, perceiving the government's requirement for written assurance as an affront to Sikh self-respect and autonomy.
The first SGPC election in Himachal Pradesh was held in 1996, and Satnam Singh Gill was the first winner from that seat.
Answer: True
Explanation: The first SGPC election in Himachal Pradesh took place in 1996, and Satnam Singh Gill was the inaugural winner representing that constituency.
The 1953 amendment to the Gurdwara Act of 1925 reserved 20 out of 140 SGPC seats for Sikh scheduled castes.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1953 amendment to the Gurdwara Act of 1925 introduced a provision to reserve 20 of the 140 SGPC seats specifically for members of the Sikh scheduled castes.
The 2016 amendment to the Gurdwara Act restored voting rights for 'Sehajdhari' Sikhs in SGPC elections.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2016 amendment to the Gurdwara Act, passed by the Indian parliament, actually stripped 'Sehajdhari' Sikhs of their voting rights in SGPC elections, rather than restoring them.
The President of the SGPC is appointed by the Viceroy of India.
Answer: False
Explanation: The President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is elected by the members of the SGPC, not appointed by the Viceroy of India.
When did the Gurdwara Act officially come into force?
Answer: November 1, 1925
Explanation: The Gurdwara Act officially became effective on November 1, 1925, following its gazette notification by the Punjab government.
Who was the first person to win an SGPC election from Himachal Pradesh, and in what year?
Answer: Satnam Singh Gill in 1996
Explanation: Satnam Singh Gill was the first individual to win an SGPC election from Himachal Pradesh, achieving this in 1996.
What was the impact of the 2016 amendment to the Gurdwara Act of 1925 on 'Sehajdhari' Sikhs?
Answer: It stripped them of their voting rights in SGPC elections.
Explanation: The 2016 amendment to the Gurdwara Act significantly impacted 'Sehajdhari' Sikhs by revoking their voting rights in SGPC elections.
What is the traditional style of address for the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee?
Answer: Jathedar
Explanation: The traditional honorific used to address the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is Jathedar.
Bibi Jagir Kaur was the first woman to be elected president of the SGPC for a second time in September 2004, having previously served from March 1999 to November 2000.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bibi Jagir Kaur holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve as SGPC president for a second term, with her tenures spanning from March 1999 to November 2000 and again from September 2004 to November 2005.
Gurcharan Singh Tohra holds the record for the longest total tenure as President of the SGPC, serving for over 24 years.
Answer: True
Explanation: Gurcharan Singh Tohra indeed holds the record for the longest cumulative tenure as President of the SGPC, serving for a total of 24 years and 296 days across multiple terms.
Who became the President of the SGPC immediately after the passing of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925?
Answer: Baba Kharak Singh
Explanation: Following the enactment of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act in 1925, Baba Kharak Singh assumed the presidency of the SGPC.
What tragic event occurred involving Teja Singh Samundari while imprisoned?
Answer: He died of a heart attack in jail.
Explanation: While imprisoned, Teja Singh Samundari tragically passed away due to a heart attack.
Who is the current President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, as of the provided source information?
Answer: Harjinder Singh Dhami
Explanation: According to the provided information, Harjinder Singh Dhami is the incumbent President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Who was the inaugural holder of the President position for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee?
Answer: Sundar Singh Majithia
Explanation: Sundar Singh Majithia was the first individual to hold the position of President for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Which individual served the most terms as President of the SGPC?
Answer: Master Tara Singh
Explanation: Master Tara Singh holds the record for serving the most terms as President of the SGPC, with a total of seven terms.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is primarily responsible for managing gurdwaras located across all states of India.
Answer: False
Explanation: The SGPC's primary responsibility is limited to gurdwaras in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh, not all states of India.
The SGPC launched the 'Ghar Ghar Andar Dharamsaal' initiative to encourage Sikhs to convert to Christianity.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Ghar Ghar Andar Dharamsaal' initiative was launched by the SGPC specifically to counter the influence of Christian missionaries and to educate Sikhs on their faith, not to encourage conversion to Christianity.
What is the literal translation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)?
Answer: Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee
Explanation: The literal translation of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is 'Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee'.
Which prominent Sikh shrine, located in Amritsar, is administered by the SGPC?
Answer: Darbar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple
Explanation: The SGPC is responsible for administering the Darbar Sahib, widely known as the Golden Temple, located in Amritsar.
Which of the following was NOT a specific aspect of gurdwaras managed by the SGPC?
Answer: Overseeing political elections in local villages
Explanation: The SGPC's management responsibilities for gurdwaras include security, financial affairs, facility maintenance, religious activities, and the preservation of sacred artifacts, but not the oversight of political elections in local villages.
What additional role has the President of SGPC served since 2008?
Answer: Chancellor of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University
Explanation: Since 2008, the President of the SGPC has also held the additional role of Chancellor for Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University.
What plans did the SGPC announce on September 6, 2023, regarding Sikh literature and scriptures?
Answer: To digitize its collection and make it publicly available online.
Explanation: On September 6, 2023, the SGPC announced plans to digitize its collection of Sikh literature and scriptures from the Sri Guru Ramdas Library, with the intention of making these resources publicly accessible online.
The SGPC has been criticized for actively promoting the preservation of all historical Sikh heritage sites and artifacts without any destruction.
Answer: False
Explanation: The SGPC has faced significant criticism for its alleged destructive attitude towards historical Sikh heritage sites and artifacts, with reports indicating that many monuments have been destroyed during renovation efforts.
The SGPC has clarified that members of the Udasi and Nirmala sects are considered Sikhs.
Answer: True
Explanation: Despite accusations of enforcing narrow definitions of Sikh identity, the SGPC has explicitly clarified that members of the Udasi and Nirmala sects are indeed considered Sikhs.
Since 1947, Muslim 'rababis' and 'kirtanis' have been banned from performing at the Golden Temple because the SGPC altered its rules to permit only baptized Khalsa Sikhs to perform services.
Answer: True
Explanation: Since the partition of India in 1947, Muslim 'rababis' and 'kirtanis' have been prohibited from performing at the Golden Temple due to a change in SGPC rules that restricts such services to baptized Khalsa Sikhs.
What is the primary accusation leveled against the SGPC regarding casteism?
Answer: It is accused of primarily representing the interests of Jat Sikhs.
Explanation: The primary accusation concerning casteism against the SGPC is that its leadership and membership are predominantly composed of Jat Sikhs, leading to concerns that it primarily serves their interests over other castes.
What percentage of Sikh heritage monuments in Punjab are estimated to have been destroyed due to renovation and 'kar seva'?
Answer: As many as ninety percent
Explanation: Estimates suggest that up to ninety percent of Sikh heritage monuments in Punjab may have been destroyed in the name of renovation and 'kar seva' (voluntary service).
What controversial practice has been reported regarding historical Sikh scriptural manuscripts under SGPC management?
Answer: They are being systematically 'cremated' (burnt to destruction).
Explanation: Reports indicate a controversial practice where large quantities of historical Sikh scriptural manuscripts have been systematically 'cremated' (burnt to destruction) at secretive 'Angitha Sahib' gurdwaras in Punjab.
What unofficial ban currently exists for women at the Golden Temple under SGPC management?
Answer: Women are unofficially banned from singing or performing 'kirtan' in the sanctum sanctorum.
Explanation: Under SGPC management, an unofficial ban currently prevents women from performing 'kirtan' (religious devotional singing) within the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple.
Jathas, local religious orders, primarily focused on peaceful negotiations to gain control over gurdwaras from incumbent mahants.
Answer: False
Explanation: While some negotiations may have occurred, jathas often resorted to direct action, including occupation and the threat of force, to gain control over gurdwaras from incumbent mahants.
The period of struggle for control over gurdwaras, ending with the Gurdwara Act, was known as the 'Second Sikh War'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The period of struggle for control over gurdwaras, culminating in the Gurdwara Act, was commonly referred to as the 'Third Sikh War', not the 'Second Sikh War'.
What was the primary objective of a 'jatha' during the gurdwara reform movement?
Answer: To gain control over local gurdwaras from incumbent mahants
Explanation: During the gurdwara reform movement, the primary objective of a 'jatha' was to assert control over local gurdwaras, often by directly challenging the authority of the incumbent mahants.