Jathedar means "leader" and refers to a leader of a jatha

Jatha

Jatha is a term used to describe a group of Sikh volunteers coming together for a specific purpose, which can vary from armed combat to peaceful agitation....

 (a group, a community or a nation). Among the Sikhs

Sikhism

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...

, a Jathedar is an ordained leader of the clergy and leads a Takht, a sacred and authoritative seat.

Sikh

Sikh

A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...

 clergy consists of five Jathedars, one each from five takhts or sacred seats. The Jathedars are appointed by SGPC, an elected body of the Sikhs sometimes called "Parliament of Sikhs." The highest seat of the Sikh religion is the Akal Takht

Akal Takht

The Akal Takht of the Timeless One or Seat of God. It is one of the five seats of temporal authority of the Sikhs equivalent to any parliament of world sovereign country. Akal means The Timeless One - another term for God. Takht means 'seat' or 'throne' in Persian...

. The Jathedar of Akal Takht makes all the important decisions after consultations with the other four Jathedars of the takhts and SGPC.

Jathedars of Akal Takht Sahib since 1920

• Jathedar Teja Singh Ji Bhuchar (1920–1921)
• Jathedar Teja Singh Ji Akerpuri (1921–1923) & (1926–1930)
• Jathedar Udham Singh Ji Nagoki (1923–1924)
• Jathedar Bhai Acchar Singh Ji (1924–1925)
• Jathedar Didar Singh Ji (about a month in 1926)
• Jathedar Jawaher Singh Ji (very short period in 1926)
• Jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh JI Musaffer
• Jathedar Mohan singh Ji Nagoki
• Jathedar Giani Partap Singh Ji
• Jathedar Bhai Sadhu Singh Ji Bhaura
• Jathedar Gurdial Singh Ji Ajnoha
• Jathedar Bhai Kirpal Singh Ji
• Jathedar Prof. Darshan Singh Ji
• Jathedar Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji Rodae
• Jathedar Bhai Gudave Singh Ji Kaunke
• Jathedar Prof. Manjit Singh Ji
• Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji
• Jathedar Giani Puran singh Ji
• Jathedar Joginder Singh Ji Vadanti
• Jathedar Gurbachan Singh Ji

Jathedars of TST

• Jathedar Singh Sahib Shaheed Bhai Anmol Singh Ji (August 23rd 2011)
• Jathedar Singh Sahib Bhai Hari Singh Ji
• Jathedar Singh Sahib Bhai Tanvir Singh Ji
• Jathedar Singh Sahib Sant Gagan Singh G Pure-walé Vedanti