JAGIĀSĪ, also Jagiāsū or Jijñāsū is a religious sect cognate with the Udāsī section of the Nānakpanthīs of Sindh. The word jagiāsā is derived from Sanskrit Jijñāsā (desire to know), jagiāsī denoting one desirous of knowledge, of spiritual insight. The members of the Jagiāsī sect are mostly sahajdhārīs i.e. gradualists, believing in the Gurūs and following generally the Sikh tenets but not yet sworn as full members of the community. There are however some who accept the rites of Khālsā initiation and wear long hair while some others add the suffix 'Siṅgh' to their names. Following the example of the founder of the sect, Bābā Srī Chand, the elder son of Gurū Nānak, the Udāsīs do not marry. The Jagiāsīs on the other hand follow the example of the younger son of Gurū Nānak, Lakhmī Chand, who was a householder, and take to family life. The sect flourished especially during the days of Bābā Gurūpat, known to be a descendant of Gurū Nānak. He visited Sindh during Sikh times with a letter from Mahārājā Raṇjīt Siṅgh to the local chief, Mīr Sohrāb Khān. Bābā Gurūpat established many Jagiāsī ṭikāṇās or seats in Sindh, including those at Khairpur, Hyderābād, Hālāṇī and Kaṇḍyāro. His last will, dated 29 July 1857, bears the signatures of many a Sindhī Jagiāsī and Udāsī saints.

         The Jagiāsīs recite hymns from the Gurū Granth Sāhib which they venerate as much as any devout Sikh and, like Sikhs, reject idolatry. But they perform several Hindu rituals as well and they do not undergo Sikh baptismal ceremony.

Motī Lāl Jotwānī