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The Radhasoami Satsang is a new religious movement in the Hindu tradition that has become a global phenomenon, reflecting the values and spiritual needs of a modern transnational community. It has spread from northern India to the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, and elsewhere, garnering over a million and a half adherents worldwide. It was founded in Agra in 1861 by Swami Shiv Dayal Singh, who propounded a new form of spiritual practice, suratśabad yoga (the discipline of uniting sound and spirit), that could be adopted by modern businesspeople, housewives…

In the 1920s, a new religious movement emerged in the Punjab called Ad Dharm (Original Religion). Though based on religious concepts that are common to the Hindu tradition, the founders were insistent that they were creating a new religion, one free from the prejudices of upper-caste Hinduism. In describing this new religion, the Indian census reports of 1930 describe it as a “religious revolt of the Untouchables.” The early 20th century was a time of change throughout India as the colonial government, defensive in the face of rising anti-British sentiment, wa…

Radhasoamis (also called Satsangis) are members of a modern religious movement, the Radhasoami Satsang (“Radhasoami Fellowship of Truth/True Fellowship”), which was founded in Agra in 1861 by Swami Shiv Dayal Singh, and which flourishes in the Punjab, Agra, and elsewhere in India. The founder advocated a form of spiritual practice, suratśabadyoga (the union of the soul with the eternal sound vibration), which can be adopted by anyone. It does not require asceticism or renunciation, though the teachings advocate moderation and a vegetarian diet. The term rādhāsoāmī literally means…

The spread of the Sikh panth beyond Punjab began almost immediately after its inception in the 16th and 17th centuries. Sikh communities that are found even today in Afghanistan and Iran are likely descendants of Sikh traders who settled in the regions as early as the 16th century. The famous account of Gurū Nānak’s travels recalls that he visited Baghdad; and indeed, a gurdvārā in that city is said to have been constructed in honor of his visit. It is likely that trade was also a factor in the westward movement of the Sikhs along the overland trade routes …