Daswandh

The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism finds the idea already implied in Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's line on ang 1245, that the one who knows the way earns honestly and gives some away. Sangat and langar gave it practical channels.

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji set up 22 manjis, or districts, each under a pious Sikh, who passed offerings on to Guru Ji. When Sri Guru Ram Das Ji began the sacred pool at Amritsar, Sikhs were asked to set aside at least a tenth of their income for the common fund, the Guru ki Golak. Masands were appointed to collect it.[EoS][EoS]

Rahitnamas written in or soon after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's lifetime made daswandh a rule. The Tankhahnama attributed to Bhai Nand Lal warns against those who hold it back and lie about it. Letters from the Gurus mention offerings of many kinds, from gold and bills of exchange to weapons.

The masand system was ended in 1699, when Guru Ji told Sikhs to bring offerings directly. The dated hukamnamas of 1699 and later confirm this. The Sikh Rehat Maryada now tells those taking amrit to give one tenth of their earnings to Guru Ji.[EoS][EoS][EoS][Src]

The Encyclopaedia distinguishes daswandh from dan, or ordinary charity. It is aimed at the needs of the community, for gurdwaras, langar and social welfare, and it is compared with Christian tithes and Muslim zakat. It treats daswandh as a form of seva, because the giver takes part in the shared life of the Panth.

The entry states the custom has been kept alive by chosen Sikhs, which suggests it is not universal. No figures on how widely it is observed have been found. The SGPC's website today has a section for daswandh and donations.[EoS][EoS][Web]