Takht

Takht is a term meaning throne or seat of authority in Sikhism. It designates a center of spiritual and temporal authority that governs matters of religious doctrine and practice. In Sikh tradition, there are five Takhts, established by Guru Gobind Singh in the early 18th century to provide recognized centers of authority across the community. The five Takhts are: Akal Takht in Amritsar, the highest seat of earthly authority for Sikhs and located within the Harmandir Sahib complex; Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib; Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Patna, Bihar; Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra; and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, near Bathinda, Punjab.

Each Takht is headed by a Jathedar and serves as a locus for upholding Sikh doctrine, ritual practice, and discipline. They can issue hukamnamas and coordinate guidance on religious matters, as well as oversee religious institutions and pilgrimages within their jurisdiction. While the Akal Takht is widely regarded as the primary seat of temporal authority, the other Takhts play complementary roles, reflecting regional and historical diversity within the Sikh tradition. The Takhts function within the broader framework of Sikh governance alongside bodies such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which administers many gurdwaras and religious events. Overall, the Takhts symbolize the unity of the Khalsa community across geographic and cultural boundaries.