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Khalsa which means 'Pure' is the name given by Guru Gobind Singh to all Sikhs who have been baptised or initiated by taking Amrit in ceremony called Amrit Sanchar. The first time that this ceremony took place was on Baisakhi, which fell on 30 March 1699 at Anandpur Sahib in India. The Sikhs celebrated the 300th anniversary of the day in 1999 with thousands of religious gatherings all over the world.

The Khalsa must carry the five symbols, Panj Kakka, or the Five Ks:

1. Kesh – uncut hair to represent the natural appearance of sainthood. It is argued by some that the requirement is Keski instead, a small turban to be worn underneath a bigger turban. However the latter idea is not contradictory to the former, since the purpose of the Keski is to preserve the kesh.
2. Kanga – a small comb.
3. Kacha – warrior short trousers, also denotes chastity.
4. Kara – iron bangle as a sign of restraint and bondage, and a symbol of dedication to the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh proclaimed that by wearing Kara all fears will be removed.

1. Kirpan – a sword for defence. The Kirpan is a symbol of dignity, power and courage. Kirpan is from Kirpa (act of kindness, Sanskrit) + Aan (self respect, Persian).

He is to lead his life according to the Guru's teaching and repudiate non-Sikh rites and ceremonies. This includes abandonig the caste system. All Sikhs were taught to treat all in the community as equals; no distinction was made to be between the different professions.

The Beginning of the Khalsa

The Khalsa began when Guru Gobind Singh, holding a sword, asked a crowd of Sikhs which ones would die for their faith and for them to step into a tent. One man walked into the tent and the Guru followed. A few seconds later only the Guru emerged holding his sword, covered in blood. After asking if there were any more, four people strode into the tent, ready to be slaughtered for their faith. It was then that the crowd found out that none of the five men were actually killed, and these five men became The Khalsa Brotherhood. They were baptised and them themselves could baptise others that follow the "Five Ks" and the other requirements into the brotherhood.

The Khalsa as a military force

In this context the Khalsa rose as a group as saint-warriors to withstand the Mughals. After the fall of the Mughal empire and the later establishment of a Sikh state in Punjab, the Khalsa became an instrument of the Punjab Maharajas, although an unruly one: The Khalsa was a democratic body, and could oppose the Maharaja.

By the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839 the regular army of Punjab was assessed by Sir Lepel Griffin at 29000 men, with 192 artillery guns. The irregular levies were estimated at a similar number. Ranjit Singh and his white officers. Major Hugh Pearse

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