Khalsa | |
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ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ | |
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Active | 13 April 1699 – present |
Allegiance | Waheguru |
Branch | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Type | Sikh religious order |
Headquarters | Panj Takht, Akal Takht Sahib,[1] Anandpur Sahib[2] |
Motto(s) | Deg Tegh Fateh |
Colors | Navy blue and xanthic[3][4] |
Anniversaries | Vaisakhi, Holla Mohalla, Bandi Chhor Divas |
Commanders | |
Founders | Guru Gobind Singh Mata Sahib Kaur |
Panj Pyare | |
Jathedar of the Akal Takht | disputed
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Insignia | |
Insignia | Khanda |
Individual/Personal Identification | The Five Ks |
Corporate/Panthic Identification | Nishan Sahib |
Predecessor (military) | ![]() |
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Sikhism |
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Khalsa (Punjabi: ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, Punjabi pronunciation: [ˈxaːlsaː], lit. 'to be pure' or 'to be clear' or 'to be free from' or 'to be liberated') refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith,[5] as well as a special group of initiated Sikhs.[6] The Khalsa tradition was initiated in 1699 by the Tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. Its formation was a key event in the history of Sikhism.[7] The founding of Khalsa is celebrated by Sikhs during the festival of Vaisakhi.[8][9][10]
Guru Gobind Singh started the Khalsa tradition after his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was beheaded during the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after the Hindu Brahmins requested for his help to save their religion.[11][12][13] Guru Gobind Singh created and initiated the Khalsa as a warrior with a duty to protect the innocent from religious persecution.[14] The founding of the Khalsa started a new phase in the Sikh tradition. It formulated an initiation ceremony (amrit sanskar, nectar ceremony) and rules of conduct for the Khalsa warriors. It created a new institution for the temporal leadership of the Sikhs, replacing the earlier Masand system. Additionally, the Khalsa provided a political and religious vision for the Sikh community.[5][15][16]: 127
Upon initiation, a male Sikh was given the title of Singh meaning "lion". Kaur was made the sole, compulsory identifier for female Sikhs in the twentieth century. The rules of life include a behavioural code called Rahit. Some rules are no tobacco, no intoxicants, no adultery, no Kutha meat, no modification of hair on the body, and a dress code (Five Ks).[16]: 121–126
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