How were the Sikhs organized in the eighteenth century?

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In the eighteenth century, the Sikhs organized themselves into a number of bands called jathas, and which later came to be known as misls.

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During the 17th century the Sikhs got organised into a political community. This led to the regional state-building in Punjab. Guru Gobind Singh fought many battles against the Rajputs as well as Mughal rulers, both before and after the institution of the Khalsa in 1699. After the death of Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, the Khalsa revolted against the Mughal authority under the leadership of Banda Bahadur and declared their sovereign rule.

Banda Bahadur was captured in 1715 and executed in 1716. In the 18th century, the Sikhs organised themselves into a number of bands called jathas and later on rrdsls. Their well-knit organisation enabled them to put up successful resistance to the Mughal governors first and then to Ahamd Shah Abdali. Who had seized the rich province of the Punjab and the Sarkar of Sirhind from the Mughals.

Answer

The Organization of Sikhs in the Eighteenth Century

During the eighteenth century, the Sikhs were organized into a military and political community known as the Khalsa. The Khalsa was established by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final guru of the Sikhs, in 1699. Under his leadership, the Sikhs underwent significant changes in their organization and identity.

Formation of the Khalsa

- In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh initiated the Khalsa by baptizing five Sikhs who had shown unwavering loyalty and commitment to the Sikh faith. These Sikhs became known as the Panj Pyare or the Five Beloved Ones.
- The initiation ceremony, called Amrit Sanskar or Khalsa Baptism, involved the drinking of Amrit, a mixture of sugar and water, which was prepared and stirred with a double-edged sword. This ceremony symbolized the Sikhs' commitment to the principles of the Khalsa, which included loyalty, equality, bravery, and purity.
- The Khalsa was open to both men and women, and individuals from all castes and backgrounds were welcome to join. This egalitarian approach was a departure from the hierarchical social structure prevalent in Indian society at the time.

Military Structure

- The Khalsa adopted a military structure to protect the Sikh community from the oppression they faced under Mughal rule. The Sikhs organized themselves into small fighting units called misls, which were led by influential leaders known as misldars.
- Each misl operated independently and had its own territory, but they often joined forces to resist external threats. The misls were primarily responsible for defending their respective territories and supporting the Sikh cause.
- The Khalsa also established a code of conduct for its members, known as the Rahit Maryada. This code emphasized martial virtues, including discipline, courage, and selflessness. It also prescribed specific religious practices, such as reciting the morning and evening prayers and wearing the Five Ks, which included uncut hair, a wooden comb, a steel bracelet, a sword, and a pair of shorts.

Political Organization

- Alongside the military structure, the Sikhs developed a political organization to govern their affairs. The Sarbat Khalsa, a representative assembly of Sikh leaders, was established to make collective decisions and resolve disputes within the community.
- The Sarbat Khalsa held regular meetings, where important matters were discussed and decisions were made by consensus. This democratic approach ensured the participation of all Sikh leaders in the decision-making process and helped maintain unity among the various misls.
- The Sarbat Khalsa was also responsible for appointing the Jathedar, the supreme leader of the Khalsa. The Jathedar held significant authority and was responsible for guiding the Sikh community and representing their interests.

In conclusion, in the eighteenth century, the Sikhs were organized into the Khalsa, a military and political community. The Khalsa had a decentralized military structure with small fighting units called misls, led by misldars. The Sikhs also established a political organization with the Sarbat Khalsa as the representative assembly and the Jathedar as the supreme leader. These organizational structures played a crucial role in protecting and advancing the Sikh community's interests during a time of political and social turmoil.

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