How many Takhts (seats of temporal authority) are recognised in Sikhism?

Five Takhts ("thrones" or seats of temporal and religious authority) are recognised in Sikhism.

The five Takhts:

• Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar (Punjab): the most important Takht, established by Guru Hargobind in 1606, facing the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).
• Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib (Punjab): the place where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in 1699.
• Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo (Punjab): where Guru Gobind Singh stayed and prepared the final version of the Guru Granth Sahib; it was recognised as a Takht in 1966.
• Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Patna (Bihar): the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.
• Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded (Maharashtra): where Guru Gobind Singh spent his last days and died in 1708.

Importance of the Takhts:

• The Takhts are places from which religious orders (hukamnamas) are issued to the Sikh community.
• The head priest of a Takht is called a "Jathedar".
• The Jathedar of the Akal Takht is regarded as the highest religious authority among the Sikhs.
• The Akal Takht can summon Sikhs who have violated religious discipline and impose penance.

The Akal Takht:

• Guru Hargobind built it as a symbol of the temporal (worldly) authority of the Sikhs, alongside the spiritual authority represented by the Harmandir Sahib (the concept of "miri" and "piri").
• "Akal Takht" means "Throne of the Timeless One".
• It was damaged during Operation Blue Star in 1984 and later rebuilt.

Management:

• The Takhts in Punjab are managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
• Patna Sahib and Hazur Sahib have their own management boards.

Other important Sikh shrines:

• Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar.
• Nankana Sahib (Pakistan): birthplace of Guru Nanak.
• Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan): where Guru Nanak spent his last years.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Three, four and seven are incorrect; there are five Takhts.