What is "jathedar"

Jathedar refers to a leader of a jatha (a group, a community or a nation). Among the Sikhs, a Jathedar is an ordained leader of8 the clergy and leads a Takht, a sacred and authoritative seat.

Sikh clergy consists of five Jathedars, one each from five takhts or sacred seats. The Jathedars are appointed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), an elected body of the Sikhs sometimes called "Parliament of Sikhs." The highest seat of the Sikh religion is called Akal Takht. The Jathedar of Akal Takht makes all the important decisions after consultations with the Jathedars of the other four Takhts and SGPC.