Sahibe Kamal – 13

In dedication to Guru Gobind Singh ji

The creation of Khalsa was not just a simple ceremony where you partake Amrit- the nectar of life to come into this new fold. Guruji laid down a strict code of conduct and injunctions. The Khalsa should never cut or trim his hair and beard. The Khalsa should never eat or smoke tobacco. A khalsa should never have sexual relationship outside the marital bond. A khalsa should never eat flesh of the animal cut with Islamic traditions of butchering. Apart from this Khalsa should always adorn the five Kakaar that are Kesh, Kangha, Kachh, Kara and Kirpan.

The inauguration of Khalsa was to become a historical moment and a movement that was inspired by divine vision of Guru Gobind Singh ji for the uplift of people divided by religion, their servitude nature, their dormant spirit, their belief in superstitions and blind faith and their weakness in the belief that this predicament is their destiny. To bring and free people from this predicament was indeed a revolutionary vision of Guru Gobind Singh ji because people had so entombed themselves in this downtrodden state. The creation of Khalsa was an effort to create a consciousness and build pride in all people. This new impulse arose an awakening for self-worth, bravery and brotherhood. This new spirit, vigour and vitality later showed unaccounted deeds of chivalrous gallantry amongst Sikhs and Guruji was successful in creating a martial race from ordinary, superstitious and blind faith ridden society that had reconciled to its downtrodden status for centuries. This is nothing less than a miracle in the history of this country. Such was the alchemy of his ‘Amrit’ that touched the heart of his Sikhs that it awakened a regenerative principle in them that now they could fight the tyrant in a ratio of one to one lakh and a quarter. So much courage and faith in people fallen to servitude and lassitude for centuries. All those who were once barbers, weavers and sweepers, who had cowered to see a sword and the sight of blood, now had become stout hearted warriors and could fight with hawks. A new spirit was infused in languid and inert India. A fighting spirit of kshtriyas that had almost vanished due to constant defeats at the hands of Islamic invader who had now dominated the whole of India and established their rule was now transfused into an equalitarian, brave, casteless society. It took shape under the very nose of tyrannical Mogul and conservative Hindu hill chieftains.  An unmatched challenge to the rulers of the time.