Khalsa

The term ''Khalsa'', ; from Arabic , meaning 'to be pure', 'to be clear', 'to be free from', or 'to be liberated'}} refers to both a community that follows Sikhism as its religion, as well as a special group of initiated Sikhs. The ''Khalsa'' tradition was initiated in 1699 by the Tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. Its formation was a key event in the history of Sikhism. The founding of Khalsa is celebrated by Sikhs during the festival of Vaisakhi.

Guru Gobind Singh started the ''Khalsa'' tradition after his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was beheaded during the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after the Hindu Brahmins requested for his help to save their religion. Guru Gobind Singh created and initiated the Khalsa as a warrior with a duty to protect the innocent from religious persecution. The founding of the ''Khalsa'' started a new phase in the Sikh tradition. It formulated an initiation ceremony (''amrit sanskar'', nectar ceremony) and rules of conduct for the ''Khalsa'' warriors. It created a new institution for the temporal leadership of the Sikhs, replacing the earlier ''Masand'' system. Additionally, the ''Khalsa'' provided a political and religious vision for the Sikh community.

Upon initiation, a male Sikh was given the title of Singh meaning "lion". Kaur was made the sole, compulsory identifier for female Sikhs in the twentieth century. The rules of life include a behavioural code called ''Rahit.'' Some rules are no tobacco, no intoxicants, no adultery, no Kutha meat, no modification of hair on the body, and a dress code (Five Ks). Provided by Wikipedia