Sikh History
From its founding around 1500 CE, Sikhi grew through eras of devotion, sacrifice, and sovereignty.
Faith under persecution
Through the 17th and 18th centuries, Sikhs faced intense persecution under Mughal and Afghan rulers — yet continued to grow. Guru Gobind Singh Ji lost his four sons (the Sahibzade), his mother, and his father, but never lost his spirit of Chardi Kala.
The birth of the Khalsa
On Vaisakhi in 1699, at Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa and initiated the first five Sikhs — the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones).
Empire and beyond
Banda Singh Bahadur established the first Sikh sovereign territory after the Gurus' era. Later, the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, established in 1799, became one of the most powerful in Asia. Today, Sikhs form one of the most globally spread communities in the world.
Key terms
- Khalsa
- The community of initiated Sikhs, founded in 1699.
- Panj Pyare
- The 'Five Beloved Ones' — the first five Sikhs initiated into the Khalsa.
- Sahibzade
- The four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who gave their lives for the faith.
These are short introductions to help you get started. For deeper study, please refer to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and speak with your local Gurdwara.