List of converts to Sikhism

The following is a list of people who converted to Sikhi. The religion of Sikhism emerged from 15th century South Asia. The first Sikhs came from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds from the Punjab region. Following 20th century, the growth of the Sikh diaspora enabled the spread of Sikhi, thus allowing for more people to similarly embrace the faith.

15th century

 * Bhai Mardana, convert from Islam to Sikhism
 * Bhai Bala – childhood friend and companion of Bhai Mardana and Guru Nanak.
 * Rai Bular Bhatti – Muslim Rajput noble of the Bhatti clan during the latter half of the 15th century who was inspired by the Sikh Guru Nanak and donated half of his land.

17th century

 * Bhai Dayala – accompanied Guru Tegh Bahadur in martyrdom at Delhi.
 * Bhai Mati Das – accompanied Guru Tegh Bahadur in martyrdom at Delhi.
 * Bhai Sati Das – accompanied Guru Tegh Bahadur in martyrdom at Delhi.

18th century

 * Banda Singh Bahadur – Born into a Hindu family as Lachman Dev (later Madho Das Bairagi), after meeting with Guru Gobind Singh he became a Sikh warrior for the Khalsa Army.

19th century

 * Alexander Gardner – American Sikh Soldier in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army. Converted from Christianity.


 * Maharaja Duleep Singh – Converted from Christianity back to Sikhism in 1864.
 * Max Arthur Macauliffe (1841–1913) – senior administrator of the British Raj who was posted in the Punjab; prolific scholar and author; converted to Sikhism in the 1860s

20th century

 * Bhagat Singh – Indian Independence freedom fighter, who is claimed to have "reconverted" to Sikhism from Atheism before his execution in 1931. However, his reconversion is controversial and contested topic, amongst different sources and scholars.
 * Muhammad Sadiq – Singer and politician who is a member of Parliament in Lok Sabha. Was born Muslim, but brought up Sikh as his father would sing religious music Kirtan in Gurdwaras. He considers himself Sikh as per an interview given to newslaundry.
 * Bhagat Puran Singh (1904–1992) – great visionary; accomplished environmentalist; founder of the "All India Pingalwara Charitable Society; being deeply influenced by the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, he converted to Sikhism.
 * Ezhava Sikhs – during the Vaikom Satyagraha, some Ezhava youth were attracted to the concepts of the Sikhism and as a result, joined the religion.
 * Sahib Singh – renowned Sikh academic who made a tremendous contribution to Sikh literature.
 * Master Tara Singh – prominent Sikh political and religious leader in the first half of the 20th century
 * Teja Singh – active member of the Singh Sabha movement

21st century

 * Babaji Singh – credited with translating Guru Granth Sahib, the holy text of the Sikhs, into Spanish.
 * Martin Singh – Nova Scotia pharmacist and businessman and candidate for the leadership of the New Democratic Party of Canada in 2012.
 * Ryan Hurst – Hollywood actor who has chosen to be also known as Gobind Seva Singh. He has acted in Sons of Anarchy, We Were Soldiers and The Walking Dead as well as others.
 * Vic Briggs – former blues musician, now Vikram Singh Khalsa; became the first non-subcontinental to perform kirtan at Harmandir Sahib
 * Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa – yoga teacher; co-founder and director of the Golden Bridge Yoga Center in Los Angeles
 * Vikram Kaur Khalsa – former model and actress, starred in several horror movies
 * Hazel Keech – Bollywood actress of British and Indian descent who has been in films such as Bodyguard. She took the name Gurbasant Kaur on marriage to Sikh cricket player Yuvraj Singh.
 * Tyler Atkins – Also known as Tera Singh, is an Australia film director and actor. Most recently known for his completed production on his debut feature film, Bosch & Rockit, which he wrote, directed, and produced.