Ans. The meaning of the term ‘chauki’ is a ‘guard of sentries’. When in the presence of the Guru any task is performed, keeping oneself alert, cautious and careful, it is known as “chauki bharna” Performing of chauki).
Guru Arjan Dev in one of his hymns, in Raag Sorath, has clearly illustrated the meaning of the term ‘chauki’:
ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਰਖਵਾਰੇ॥
ਚਉਕੀ ਚਉਗਿਰਦ ਹਮਾਰੇ॥
(SGGS, P. 626)
“The word of the Guru is our guardian, mounting guard on all four sides of us”.
The tradition of taking out chauki (chauki kadhana), was first started by Baba Budha when Guru Har Gobind was imprisoned in the Gwaliar fort by the order of emperor Jahangir. Groups of Sikhs with lit torches would go from one village to another in Punjab and then on to Gwaliar where they would circumambulate the fort before returning to Punjab. In this way the word ‘chauki’ also assumed the meaning of taking out procession in order to express unhappiness and dissatisfaction. These days a chauki goes from Amritsar to Taran Taaran or Goindwal in the memory of the Gurus.
Guru Har Gobind is also said to have stated that when the chauki would reach Akaal Takhat Sahib, at that time its effect would be such as if he (the Guru) himself was present in the chauki.In the Hari Mandir (Golden Temple), Gurü Har Gobind was the first to institute the “chaukis” of Kirtan (hymn singing). This tradition was revived by Bhai Mani Singh* when he was appointed as the ‘Granthi’ of Harmandar Sahib. Although kirtan is constantly sung in the Golden Temple, special kirtan chaukis sit there daily. For such a chauki it is necessary that four performers with different musical instruments should sit together and perform the kirtan.
The following is the schedule of these chaukis:
1. Asa di Var chauki before Sunrise completed
2. Bilawal chauki -starts at 10:00 Α.M.
3. Charan Kanwal chauki -starts at about 2:00 P. M.
4. Sodar chauki Rehraas Sahib prayer. -starts at after the sunset,
5. Sohila chauki At night, before bedtime of Guru Granth Sahib (for Sohila prayer).
Also there is another meaning of chauki, like a police chauki (a small police post), established in remote areas for the safety of the public. However, Khalsa is always ready to help and rush to the aid of poor and needy. Thus Khalsa is always on a ‘chauki’. After Guru Har Gobind moved to Kirat Pur the management of Golden Temple came into the hands of the Minas (the descendents of Prithi Chand), who discontinued the tradition of Kirtan chaukis.