Jathedar

Jathedar is a title used in Sikhism to designate the leader of a jatha, a group or assembly of Sikhs, or the head of a Takht, a high religious seat. The term is applied to individuals entrusted with spiritual guidance, oversight of religious services, and a decision-making role within the body they preside over. In practice, a Jathedar can act as a spokesperson, arbiter, and administrator for the organization or gathering under their leadership.

Etymology and scope: Jathedar derives from the Punjabi words for a group or band (jathā) and a holder or leader (dār). Thus, the title literally means the leader of a jatha. While most prominently associated with the leadership of Takhts, the term can also refer more generally to chiefs of other organized Sikh assemblies or militias that operated in different historical periods.

Roles and appointment: The Jathedar's duties typically include presiding over religious gatherings, guiding doctrinal and disciplinary matters, and representing the body in communal affairs. Appointments are usually made by relevant religious authorities or governing bodies within the Sikh community, such as traditional council structures or Sikh polity organizations, and may reflect a combination of spiritual authority and organizational responsibility. The office can carry significant influence within the panth and is sometimes central to panth-wide decisions and debates.

See also: Jathā, Takht, SGPC. The title underscores the organizational and hierarchical dimensions of Sikh religious life, linking leadership to both spiritual function and communal governance.