Manji System
This is a term used from the time of Guru Amar Das in 1552 to refer to the various regions in Punjab and other places to represent a group forming a division or sub-dgroup for the efficient administration of the affairs of the Sikhs. At Goindwal, Guru Amar Das propagated the Sikh faith in a logical and well planned manner of administration. He himself visited and sent Sikh missionaries to different parts of India to spread Sikhism. He divided the Sikh Sangat area into 22 branches called Manjis and appointed a local devout Sikh preacher as their leader at each place. The preacher sat on a Manji (a cot) while the congregation all sat around the Manji or cot. Here are the initial 16 names of the people (of 22 manjis) he appointed to preach Sikhism.
In the area of Majha (Amritsar, Lahore, Sialkot)
- 1. Manak Chand Jhinwar (Water Carrier) at Variowal in Amritsar.
- 2. Sada ram, a Blacksmith near Amritsar.
- 3. Hindal at Jandiala near Amritsar.
- 4. Gangu Shah banker at Lahore.
- 5. Mutho-Murari, a devoted couple, at Chunian in Lahore Dist.
In Jallandar Doab
- 6. Paro Julka at Jalandar.
- 7. Mahesh Dhir at Sultanpur Lodi.
In Kangra Hills
- 8. Sawan mal, Nephew of Guru Amar Das, at Haripur Guler.
- 9. Name not given, at Dharamsala.
Kashmir Hills
- 10. Phirya at Mirpur.
Malwa (Area of Patiala, Ludhiana, Bhatinda)
- 11. Kheira at Firozpur.
- 12. Mai Das Bairagi in charge of Ludhiana dist.
- 13. Mai Bhago at village Wayun, tehsil Kharar, dist. Rupar.
- 14. Mai Sewan at Village Gardnoh in Patiala District.
- 15. Sachna Shah in charge of Ambala distt.
Sind
- 16. Lalu in charge of some area in Sind.
- 17 to 22: Unknown
Guru Amar Das was impressed with Bhai Gurdas' thorough knowledge of Hindi and Sanskrit and the Hindu scriptures. Following the tradition of sending out Masands across the country, Guru Amar Das deputed Bhai Gurdas to Agra to spread the gospel of Sikhism. Before leaving, Guru Amar Das prescribed the following routine for Sikhs:
"He who calls himself a Sikh of the True Guru, He must get up in the morning and say his prayers. He must rise in the early hours and bathe in the holy tank. He must meditate on God as advised by the Guru. And rid himself of the afflictions of sins and evil. As the day dawns, he should recite scriptures, and repeat God's name in every activity. He to whom the Guru takes kindly is shown the path. Nanak! I seek the dust of the feet of the Guru's Sikh who himself remembers God and makes others remember Him." (Gauri)
- See also Manji Sahib and Gurdwara Manji Sahib
