During the reign of the British Raj, the classical Sikh music arts of 'Gurmat Sangeet' also declined.

At present there are very few Sikh masters of classical Sikh music meters, the most notable being Raagi Nihang Balbir Singh of the Buddha Dal who resides at Amritsar. It is according to 'Raag' (classical Indian musical meters) that Sikh scriptures are to be sung. The Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhia / Nirmala-hybrid Sikhi of 'Rarareh Walla Sant' began the present day Sikh tradition of singing without 'Raag'.

As knowledge of Raag declined, classical instruments such as the 'Santoor', 'Sarod', 'Sarangi', 'Dilruba', 'Taus', 'Sitar', 'Tanpura', were replaced with the 'Kanjar Baaja' (the Austrian Harmonium).