Significance of the creation of the Khalsa

The creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh was the greatest achievements of his genius.It gave birth to a movement which had far reaching effects.It brought a new belief into being and released a new dynamic force into the arena of Indian History.

The Khalsa produced men of uncommon bravery and sacrifice : By the creation of the Khalsa, the Great Guru laid the foundation of a brotherhood, which produced in the fullness of time, men of uncommon bravery, unique and devotion and rare spirit of sacrifice.Men like Banda Bahadur, Bhai Mani Singh, Baba Deep Singh, Bhai Taru Singh and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia were among them which the Khalsa produced within only fifty years after its inception.

He converted the Sikhs into a race of saint-soldiers: The Khalsa created brotherhood who though worshipped the supreme Being at heart, was ever ready to take up arms against injustice and oppression.Guru Gobind Singh “withdrew his followers from the undivided attention which their father had given them to regard the sword as their principal stay in their world.”

It brought a tremendous change in the character and psychology of the Hindus : Before the creation of the Khalsa, the bulk of the Hindus were cowardly, disunited and ill-organized.They were prey to mutual jealousies.They had no love for religion, race or country, Centuries of suppression had reduced them to mere dregs of humanity were changed as it by magic into something rich and strange.The sweepers, the barbers, the washermen and the confectioners who had for generations lived as crawling slaves, became doughtly warriors who were ready to rush into the jaws of death at their bidding of their Guru.It has been aptly remarked that the tenth Guru transformed “Jackals into lions and sparrows into hawks.” Guru Gobind Singh effectually roused the dormant energies of a vanquished people and filled them with a lofty although fitful longing for social freedom and national ascendancy.”

The Khalsa was purified of superstitions and blind faith : The creation of the Khalsa freed the Sikhs from superstitions and unnecessary ritual practices.They had no faith in idol worship and life of ostentations.They were enjoined upon to believe in one True Lord.Gobind Singh took away from his followers their ancient solace of superstitions.

It gave new life to depressed and down trodden communities : The creation of the Khalsa had a miraculous effect in uplifting the depressed and down trodden communities.The members of the low castes who were regarded as unclean and polluted in the Hindu society became leaders among men of high birth.They came forward as Sikhs and fought side by side with the Kshatriyas and Brahmans for the cause of Dharma.The members of the low castes proved to be the backbone of the Khalsa and proved to be real patriots and dougthy warriors who made sacrifices for their country and faith.

It made the Sikhs a unified community : The creation of the Khalsa made all the Sikhs equal. They considered themselves as blood relations having acquired common heritage from their common Gurus.The external marks of Sikhism i.e, the five K’s gave them a sense of brotherhood, equality and religious unity. Their eating in the common kitchen, sitting together, gave a death-blow to the caste system.The status of one Sikh was in no way superior to that of the other.This principle of equality led to unity and cohesion amongst the followers of the Gurus.

It led to wars between the Guru and the hilly Rajas : One of the immediate results of the foundation of the Khalsa was that it excited the jealousy of hilly chiefs and brought Guru Gobind Singh into conflict with them. They saw in the democratic teachings and the military zeal of the Guru a threat to their influence and power.Besides, they thought that they would be the first victims of Guru’s ambition. Consequently, the hilly chiefs felt much concerned and lost no time in initiating hostilities against the Guru.Thus was started the long drawn warfare between the two parties.

It made Sikhism distinct from Hinduism : The distinguished marks of the Khalsa namely the five K’s, the appellation of Singh,the new mode of salutation and total abstention from smoking- the essential tenets of the Khalsa made Sikhism more distinct from Hinduism.Thereafter, the possibilities of the Sikhism being absorbed by the Hinduism became very remote.

The Khalsa saved Hinduism from annihilation : The creation of the Khalsa saved Hinduism from annihilation. Aurangzeb had started a programme of wholesale conversion of the Hindus.His officers followed a policy of religious persecution of Hindus, demolished their temples and subjected them to unheard cruelties. At such a juncture, the creation of the Khalsa gave a new lease of life to the Hindus religion. By their military valour, sacrifice and services, they saved them from the tyranny of the Mughal Government. Even after the death of Guru Gobind Singh, the Khalsa continued its struggle against injustice and oppression and did not rest till it had completely overpowered the enemy.
It gradually made the Khalsa political power in the Punjab : The great legacy of the creation of the Khalsa was the “Sikh struggle for independence” in the Punjab. The Khalsa first thought against the Mughals and then against the Afghans and did not rest till it had achieved the goal after a long and determined struggle for almost a century the Punjab under Ranjit Singh became a sovereign state.

Guru Gobind Singh in no way gave up the essentials of Guru Nanak’s teachings. Like his predeccesors, Guru Gobind Singh insisted on the worship of the One True Lord, with the same ideal, devotion and humility and for the same glorification of the Name.He did not want his followers to forget their Lord in the worldly pursuits.

By: Harman Sandhu