The Khalsa was inaugurated on March 30, 1699, by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. Khālsā (Punjabi: ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ; [xaːlsaː]) is the collective body of Singhs and Kaurs represented by the five beloved-ones and is the final temporal Guru/leader of the Sikhs. The leadership was passed on by Guru Gobind Singh to the Khalsa and bestowed the title "Guru Panth" or "Guru". Though, during the next nine yea
rs of his life, Guru Gobind Singh remained the Commander-in-chief of the Khalsa. It can be concluded the Khalsa is the Eleventh Guru of the Sikhs with Guru Granth Sahib its soul.[citation needed]
The Khalsa is also the nation of the Sikhs.[1] The Khalsa is responsible for all executive, military and civil authority.[2]
The meaning of Khalsa translates to "Sovereign/Free". Another interpretation is that of being 'Pure'. Guru Gobind Singh has declared the Khalsa as his true Guru and therefore as following described in the Sarbloh Granth the attributes of the Khalsa:[3]
The Sikhs of the Khalsa can be identified with the given Five Ks and titles Singh and Kaur. This happens after being baptised to the order of the Khalsa. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh at an event which coincided with the Baisakhi day in year 1699 initiated that every Sikh must follow the Five Ks; they are not merely symbols but commitment to the faith and philosophy of Guru Nanak, Sikhism, and collectively form the external visible symbols; hence clearly and outwardly advertising and displaying one's commitment. It is as much analogous to the uniform of an organization, especially a Military. A Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa is titled Singh (males)/Kaur (females) and commonly referred to as "Amritdhari". The Khalsa is also the pinnacle of the Sikhism. An individual is commissioned into the Khalsa only at the will of the Guru which means the individual has already, by the grace of the Guru, overcome the inside-evils and therefore is free. The political sovereignty is a mere reflection of free ocean inside a Singh/Kaur. In other words, how could an individual, who is free inside, be contained by wordly fears of death! This is possible only when the Guru accepts an individual as Singh/Kaur by granting the "Amrit" or nectar of immortality. One should be ware that soldiery of Singh/Kaur arises out of Sainthood which is reciprocal of Amrit. Thence a Singh/Kaur is a "soldier like saint" rather than a "saint like soldier". Guru Gobind Singh's respect for the Khalsa is best represented in one of his poems:
All the battles I have won against tyranny
I have fought with the devoted backing of the people;
Through them only have I been able to bestow gifts,
Through their help I have escaped from harm;
The love and generosity of these Sikhs
Have enriched my heart and home. Through their grace I have attained all learning;
Through their help in battle I have slain all my enemies. I was born to serve them, through them I reached eminence. What would I have been without their kind and ready help? There are millions of insignificant people like me. True service is the service of these people. I am not inclined to serve others of higher caste:
Charity will bear fruit in this and the next world,
If given to such worthy people as these;
All other sacrifices are and charities are profitless. From toe to toe, whatever I call my own,
All I possess and carry, I dedicate to these people.
