Jathā

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Jathā (Pañjābī, ‘armed band’). Squad of Sikhs. In the 18th cent., the Sikh army divided into five jathās to counter Muslim aggression in Pañjāb. In the 20th cent. Sikh jathās marched, demanding reform of gurdwārā management and in protest at the partition of Pañjāb.