where do sikhs come from

Sikhs come from the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. Sikhism, the religion followed by Sikhs, was founded in the late 15th century by Guru Nanak (1469–1539), who was born in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib, in present-day Pakistan. Guru Nanak's teachings emphasized the unity of God, rejecting distinctions between Hindu and Muslim identities, and promoted a casteless society. The Sikh community began to be formally identified as Sikhs around 1526 when Guru Nanak established a small commune in Kartarpur. Later, Sikhism was further shaped by nine successive Gurus, with the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founding the Khalsa in 1699—a collective body of initiated Sikhs symbolizing purity and commitment. Today, although Sikhs are found worldwide, their historical and cultural roots remain deeply tied to Punjab.