Langar

The word is Persian, for an almshouse or public kitchen, and Sufi centres already ran such kitchens in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism traces the Sikh institution to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who made it central at Kartarpur and supported it from his own farm work.

Mata Khivi Ji is remembered by name for her service under Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji. On ang 967, Rai Balvand and Satta praise the food she gave out in Guru Ji's kitchen. Under Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, visitors were expected to eat in the langar before seeing Guru Ji. The Mahima Prakash records that Emperor Akbar did so during his visit, and this story is treated as tradition.[EoS][Src]

The Sikh Rehat Maryada gives two purposes: training Sikhs in service and removing ideas of high and low. No one is to be seated apart by origin, colour, caste or religion. Sikhs give money, food and their labour for cooking, serving and washing up. Women and children take part. In smaller gurdwaras, the meal may be made up of food sent from different households.

The phrase deg tegh pairs the kettle with the sword: feeding people and securing justice. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji is said to have made a surprise check of the kitchens at Anandpur, and to have praised Bhai Nand Lal's for its standard. A line traditionally attributed to Guru Ji calls a hungry mouth Guru Ji's own offering box. The first Sikh coin carried the Persian words deg tegh fateh.[Src][EoS]

The tradition held in the eighteenth century, when bands of Sikhs in hiding shared what they could find in a row. Rulers later granted land to support kitchens, including Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Today nearly all gurdwaras have a langar, which the community supports.[EoS]