The Damdami Taksal is the travelling Sikh university, which was founded by our Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji to impart knowledge of Gurmat onto Sikhs. It has had an unbroken lineage of Jathedars who have led the Taksal throughout Sikh history.
The first and foremost function of the Taksal is to educate Sikhs, to teach them the correct pronounciations of Gurbani, to do Katha and Kirtan. This is done by getting students to undergo rigorous studies, meditations and seva, thus a wholesome Sikh lifestyle is developed and maintained.The Taksal has always been a key strategic player in the activities of the Sikh Nation, with Jathedars Baba Deep Singh Ji & Baba Gurbaksh Singh Ji both being martyred defending the sanctity of Sri Harimander Sahib, Amritsar. They were both beheaded yet still fought on until the Mughals had to run in fear.
The sixth Jatheder, Giani Bhai Sant Singh was the Head Granthi of Sri Harimander Sahib and a close aid of Maharajah Ranjit Singh. The famous Sikh Historian Bhai Santokh Singh (author of Suraj Parkash) was also a student of the Giani Bhai Sant Singh Ji. During the British rule, Sant Sundar Singh played a considerable role in the Gurdwara Reform Movement by participating in peaceful demonstrations.
Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji did the complete katha of Sri Guru Granth Sahib many times and today we find that alot of his students are Granthis at Sri Harimander Sahib and many of them held positions of esteem and were Jathedars of the Takhats. Sant Kartar Singh started the movement against the anti-Sikh Nirankari Movement and the whole Sikh world knows of the sacrifices made by Sant Jarnail Singh in the 80’s against forces opposed to the Panth. Baba Takhur Singh Ji, the acting Jathedar of the Taksal, has blessed many Sikhs with the knowledge of Gurmat and under his leadership the Taksal has produced many Gianis, Kirtanis and Pathis. Even today you will find that many Granthis and Jathedars of Takhats and famous historical Gurdwaras have been educated by the Taksal. The Taksal aims to live up to its motto which was uttered by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Sri Japji Sahib,
The True Coin of the Shabad (the Word of God) is created in the True Mint of Sadh Sangat (congregation of Saints) It can only continue its success with the continued blessings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Sadh Sangat.
http://www.guruharrai.org/history-of-damdami-taksal.html