Colonel Alexander Gardner, American Sikh Soldier in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Army
The religion of Sikhism emerged in the context of medieval India, where many Hindus and Muslims of the Punjab region became Sikhs through conversion.[1] The original Sikhs were thus all converts, with the first one being Bhai Mardana, a former Muslim.[2]
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.
Rai Bular Bhatti, a 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.
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.[4]Ryan Hurst, an American actor converted to Sikhi and is now known as Gobind Sewa Singh.
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[11][12]
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.[16]
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.[17]
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.[18]Tyler Atkins, an Australian film director and actor.
Bhagat Singh - Indian Independence freedom fighter, who is claimed to have "reconverted" to Sikhism from Atheism before his execution in 1931.[21] However, his reconversion is controversial and contested topic, amongst different sources and scholars.[22]
Panj Piare (Punjabi: ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ, Pañj Pi'ārē, literally the five beloved ones) - name given to the five Sikhs, Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh, who were so designated by Guru Gobind Singh at the historic congregation at Anandpur Sahib on 30 March 1699.[citation needed]
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. [28]
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[29]Master Tara Singh, a prominent Sikh leader during Indian Independence and Akali Movement.
^Singh, Pritam (2008). Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy. Abingdon-on-Thames, England: Routledge. ISBN9781134049455. A large number of Hindu and Muslim peasants converted to Sikhism from conviction, fear, economic motives, or a combination of the three (Khushwant Singh 1999: 106; Ganda Singh 1935: 73).
