Khalsa

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Khalsa refers to the community of baptised Sikhs who have taken the Amrit ceremony. They follow Sikhism strictly and are known for their warrior spirit and readiness to defend their faith.

Who initiated the Khalsa tradition and when?

"A special group of initiated Sikhs. The Khalsa tradition was initiated in 1699 by the Tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh."

What is the meaning of Khalsa?

"'To be pure' or 'to be clear' or 'to be free from' or 'to be liberated.'"

How is the founding of Khalsa celebrated by Sikhs?

"The founding of Khalsa is celebrated by Sikhs during the festival of Vaisakhi."

Why did Guru Gobind Singh start the Khalsa tradition?

"Guru Gobind Singh started the Khalsa tradition after his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was beheaded during the Islamic sharia rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb."

What was the purpose of creating the Khalsa?

"Guru Gobind Singh created and initiated the Khalsa as a warrior with a duty to protect the innocent from religious persecution."

What changes did the founding of the Khalsa bring to the Sikh tradition?

"The founding of the Khalsa started a new phase in the Sikh tradition. It formulated an initiation ceremony and rules of conduct, replacing the earlier masand system."

What title was given to male Sikhs upon initiation?

"A male Sikh was given the title of Singh, meaning 'lion.'"

What identity marker was made compulsory for female Sikhs in the twentieth century?

"Kaur was made the sole, compulsory identifier for female Sikhs in the twentieth century."

What are some of the rules of life for the Khalsa?

"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)."

What is the behavioral code for the Khalsa called?

"A behavioral code called Rahit."

When and how was the Rahit behavioral code formulated?

"It formulated an initiation ceremony (amrit sanskar, nectar ceremony) and rules of conduct for the Khalsa warriors."

What purpose did the Khalsa serve for the Sikh community?

"It provided a political and religious vision for the Sikh community."

How did the Khalsa replace the earlier system of leadership in the Sikh community?

"It created a new institution for the temporal leadership of the Sikhs, replacing the earlier masand system."

What does the term 'Singh' mean?

"Singh meaning 'lion.'"

Which gender denomination was given the title 'Kaur'?

"Kaur was made the sole, compulsory identifier for female Sikhs in the twentieth century."

What religious event is associated with the initiation of the Khalsa?

"The founding of Khalsa is celebrated by Sikhs during the festival of Vaisakhi."

What was the historical context in which the Khalsa tradition emerged?

"Guru Gobind Singh started the Khalsa tradition after his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was beheaded during the Islamic sharia rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb."

What is the Punjabi pronunciation of Khalsa?

"Punjabi pronunciation: [ˈkʰaːlsaː]"

What is the significance of the title 'Singh' given to male Sikhs?

"A male Sikh was given the title of Singh, meaning 'lion.'"

What is the purpose of the dress code called the Five Ks?

"A dress code (Five Ks).: 121–126"