Colors of Sikh Turbans

Do the color of the turban have any relevance? Does the color of turban symbolize the wearer’s allegiance to a rank on spirituality? caste? profession? particular political ideology, cultural identity,  or just individual mood? Lets look at the varying colors of a turban in India's cultural, religious, and political scenes.

Four Colors of SGPC Code

SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee), the relegious authority in Sikh religion recommends or permits only four colours for its members, readers, hymn singers, and preechers. These colors are white, blue, orange, and black. These four colors are deeply associated with the spirituality of Sikh religion.

SGPC Colors - White, Blue, Orange, and Black

Black Turban of Original Akalis

Akali Dal was formed on 14 December 1920 as a task force of the SGPC, the Sikh religious body. Sardar Sarmukh Singh Chubbal was the first president of a unified proper Akali Dal, but it became popular under Baba Kharak Singh, and then undr Giani Gopal Singh Kaumi of Waziraad. Master Tara Singh was the leader of Akali Dal during parition and independebce of Punjab. Akali Dal leaders and members wore black turbans in protest against the occupation of historic Gurdwaras and British rule in Punjab.

Black Turbans of Akali Freedom Fighters

White Turbans of Indian National Congress

After independence of India, The Indian National Congress encouraged the Sikhs to abandon Akali Dal and join them. This offer was rejected by Master Tara Singh but several Akali leaders jumped the ship and joined Congress. They wore white turbans to identify with the Congress and were given plum jobs and ministrial positionss. These Sikh leaders include, Balwant Singh, Pratap Singh Kairon, Swarn Singh, and Giani Zail Singh.

White Turbans of Congress Leaders

Yellow Turban of Revolution

Sardar Bhagat Singh is immortalized with the revilutionary song "Mera rang de Basanti chola ...". The Basanti or yellow turbans are associated with the revolutionary movement to free India from the British. Recently the Aam Admi Party (AAP) adopted this color of turban indicating theier allegience to Sardar Bhagat Singh and his revolutionary ideas.

Yellow Turbans of Revolution

Blue Turban of Akalis

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in 70s abandoned the original black turban and adopted the dark blue turban as the new image of the political party. Overtime this color of turban has become a symbol of SAD leaders and their cadre. SGPC Presedident Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Badal, and Manjit Singh GK proudly support this new look.

Blue Turban of Akali Dal (Badal)

Red Turbans of Communists

The Sikh leaders belonging to the Communist Party of India can't be left behind and they chose red as their color. The oldest symbol of socialism and communism is the Red Flag, which dates back to the French Revolution in the 18th century and the russian revolutions of 1848. Soviet Russia had a Red Army, while the flags of Communist Russia and China are both awash in red.

Red Turban of Communist Party

Orange Turbans of Rebellion

Kesri bana is associated with warrior tradition of Sikhs as well as Rajputs. Wearing a Kesri (Saffron) turban indicate that the warrior is ready to die for the cause and enter the battle with the frame of mind of battle until death. During the Sikh rights movement of 1980's this color became a symbol of Sikh rebellion against the federal government of India. All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) adopted this color and colleges and universities were radiating with the ornage colr turbans all over Punjab and Delhi during that period. Even today, the Sikh chose to adopt this color of turban when protesting against human rights violation and persecution of Sikhs in India,.

Kasri Turbans od rebellion

Sky Blue Turban of New Congress

Indian Prime Minister manmohan Singh disbanded the Congress tradition of wearing white turban and chose sky blue turban indicating the new image of Sikhs in Congress party. This was a visual disownment of the turbulant and sometimes shameful past of Sikh association with the Congresss (I) party of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi.

Sky Blue Turban of PM Manmohan Singh

Green Turbans of Farmers

Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) is the supremme assiciation of Indian farmers with a stronghold in Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP. Brainchild of Mahender Singh Tikait from my hometown Muzaffarnagar, this organization unites the farmers of the three states on agricultural issues. Their choice of color is - Green, Which also happens to be color of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) of Haryana.

Green Turban of Farmers - BKU

Pink Turban od Wedding

The preferred color of the Sikh wedding is Pink. All shades of this color from magenta to baby pink  is used by families for the joyful ocassion.Some prefer red, maroon or orange turbans for the weddings but pink is so far the most popular.

Pink Turbans of Wedding

Black Turban of UK

The Sikhs in UK have adopted a smaller sized balck turban that clearly dishtinguisehes them. The turban style come via Sikh immigrants from East Africa and blends well with the dull and grey climate of the country.

Red & Blue Turban of Punjab Police

The police in the Indian state of Punjab still sports the red and blue colors of the British era. Infact these two colors are associated with the Indian Police across the country. Punjab Police has a distinct flair in wearing this red & Blue turban. Its proud history was however blemished by high level of human rights violations in 1980s and 1990s.

Red & Blue Turban of Punjab Police

Colorful Turbans of Bhangra

Bhangra is worldwide popular and exciting Punjabi folk dance. The folk dance celebrates the harvest season in the Punjab states of India and Pakistan. The dancers wear colorful turbans decorated with ornaments enhancing the youthful and many appearance of the Punjabi youth. Bhangra dancers tie their turbans with a 'Turla' that stands on top of their turbans and keep a loose piece of turban hanging on their back called a 'Shamla'.

Colors of Bhangra Turbans

Does the Color Really Matter?

In reality it does not matter what color turban you wear and it doesnt really make you a communist if you wear a red turban or a rebel if you wear an orange turban. I chose the color of the turban to match what I am wearing, where I am going, or sometimes I just fancy a particular color. In fact, I have a cousin who matches his turbans to the color of his Rolls Royce.

Ruben Singh with his Rolls Royce