What is the Significance of a Turban?

These are three words synonymous with the connotations of a turban. In history, it has been embraced by many different religions and cultures, allowing them to form a distinguishable identity that speaks volumes for their character for many different reasons. It was and still is an expression of one’s inner personal. It was and still is a way of exclaiming one’s individuality amongst a crowd. It was and still is a symbol of freedom.

For Muslim aristocrats, it displayed their esteemed rank in abundance, sanctioning their status among society. The turban is highly revered in Muslim culture with Prophet Mohammed also occasionally donning it with pride on his travels.

For Hindu Rajputs, their exclusive societal status ensured that only they were allowed to wear Turbans and carry weapons. Once again, the turban was utilised as a crown used to display ones flourishing eminence in life.

For Sikhs, the Turban was used as a symbol to promote equality, justice and freedom. During a time of immense strife and war, peace and equality were not openly-shared traits. Guru Gobind Singh Ji made it mandatory for all Sikhs to wear a turban for he wanted “one Sikh to be easily recognizable in a crowd of two-hundred and fifty thousand.” The Turban was thus a way in which everybody, no matter their status or financial bearing, was welcomed with open arms into a community ready to fight for the basic rights of fairness for all humans.

In today’s society, the Turban may be viewed as something different to what it was before. It is our duty to use the power of history to elevate its status again. The above was a brief snipped into the importance of the Turban yet so much more could still be said. Let’s take it upon ourselves to not forget the value behind it and share our knowledge. Together, the Turban should always be viewed as the pinnacle of respectability, royalty and dignity.