Gurmata

The word joins Guru and mata, a counsel or resolution. It became established in the eighteenth century, but the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism traces the idea to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It reports his declaration that where Sikhs gather before the scripture, Guru Ji is present.

The same entry points to two occasions when Guru Ji accepted the collective will of the Sikhs: the evacuation of Anandpur in 1705, and the Sikhs' call for Guru Ji to leave Chamkaur. It calls these early forms of the practice.[EoS]

Sikhs met at the Akal Takht at Vaisakhi and Diwali. George Forster, who visited in 1783, and John Malcolm, in 1805, left accounts. Everyone present could speak, and after a decision was reached all were bound by it, whichever side they had taken. Important decisions in this period included the plan of resistance agreed in 1726, the reorganisation of 1745 and the creation of the Dal Khalsa in 1748.[EoS][EoS]

The Sikh Rehat Maryada narrows the term. A gurmata can address only matters touching the basic principles of the faith, such as the status of the Gurus and of the scripture, amrit, Sikh discipline and the structure of the Panth. Ordinary religious, educational, social or political questions are dealt with by a simple resolution, called a mata.

The code also says a gurmata may be adopted only by a chosen leading body of the Panth or a gathering representing it. A local congregation's decision may be taken on appeal to the Akal Takht.[Src]

A gurmata is a resolution of an assembly. A hukamnama today is an edict issued from a Takht. The Encyclopaedia says that hukamnamas issued by the Akal Takht take precedence over those of other Takhts.[EoS][EoS]