Satnampanth

Satnampanth, also called Satnami Samaj, Satnami movement, or Sadhanpanth, is the Satnami sect founded by Ghasidas in 1820. It is one of several Indian sects called Satnami, the earliest being one founded by Bir Bhan of the Narnaul district in 1657. His guru was Udhodas, the pupil of Saint Ravidas. A Haryana Review periodical issue regarding the Satnamis of the age of Bir Bhan, "A Satnami had three attributes: he put on the garb of a devotee , earned money through fair means and did not bear any type of injustice or atrocity."

Jagjivan Das is the second most important Satnami. Due to his spiritual fame, he was met by Emperor Akbar. Swami Dayal lists Jagjivan Sahab as his predecessor and writes:

If in your mind you do not believe what I say, then consult the sayings of Kabir and Guru Nanak. Tulsi's persuasion is just the same, and so is that of Paltu and Jagjivan. These saints I take as my authority, and I witness to what they teach.

The sect has an official foundation date, which is April 21, 1657.

This sect is named after its Lord, Satnam.

Historically, chroniclers have also wrote of them as mundiah (because followers often shaved their heads) and bairagi.