Sikh Khalsa

Khalsa in Sikhs was started off by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs. The basic meaning and essence of Khalsa is "Pure" and it is the title given to those Sikhs who have tasted Amrit or in other words, have been baptized. The rise of the Sikh Khalsa force dates back to 13th April, 1699 at a place called Anandpur Sahib in India. Recently in the year 1999, the Sikhs celebrated 300 years of the Khalsa Revolution in a very grand way. A Khalsa must carry these five symbols, known as Panj Kakka with them always.

The story of the origin of Khalsa is very inspiring. One day, Guru Gobind Singh while addressing a crowd, asked who was ready to die in the name of religion and for his faith. After initial hesitation and feelings of confusion, a man named Bhai Daya Ram stepped forward ready to sacrifice his life. He was taken into a tent by Guru Gobind Singh. After some time, Guru Gobind Singh emerged from the tent holding a sword drenched in blood. He again announced if there was anyone else ready to sacrifice to their life in the name of faith. Four more people stepped forward and their names Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh, and Bhai Sahib Singh. All the four were taken inside the tent to be sacrificed. After some time, when the tent opened everyone saw the five men to be alive. These five men were then baptized and they became the Khalsa Brotherhood.

Khalsa was also used a major military force. One of the chief duties of a Khalsa was to protect the weak and the hapless. The Khalsa had weapons with them and were trained in martial arts. With the rising torture of the Mughal rulers, the Sikhs needed protection and the Khalsa were appointed for this purpose. The Khalsa rose as a strong military force of saint warriors that protected the weak and defenseless against the atrocities of the Mughal rulers. After the decline of the Mughals, the Khalsa was declared a democratic body that could go against the Maharaja of Punjab.