Vaisakhi through my Lens
- A Singh
- 28 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Vaisakhi: A Sacred Celebration in the Sikh Community
Vaisakhi, celebrated every year on April 13 or 14, is one of the most significant festivals in the Sikh community. While it marks the traditional harvest festival in Punjab, for Sikhs, Vaisakhi is primarily a deeply spiritual and historical event commemorating the birth of the Khalsa in 1699.
On this day, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, took a bold and transformative step to formalize the Sikh identity and community. In a historic gathering at Anandpur Sahib, he called upon Sikhs to rise for righteousness and asked who was willing to give their head for the faith. One by one, five men stepped forward, later known as the Panj Pyare (the Five Beloved Ones). Guru Gobind Singh Ji initiated them into a new order called the Khalsa Panth, baptizing them with Amrit (sweetened water stirred with a double-edged sword) and giving them a new identity grounded in equality, courage, and spiritual discipline.
The formation of the Khalsa also introduced the Five Ks — Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (steel bracelet), Kanga (wooden comb), Kachera (cotton undergarments), and Kirpan (ceremonial sword) — symbols that reflect the values of integrity, readiness, and justice.
Why Sikhs Celebrate Vaisakhi:
Spiritual Rebirth: It marks the day Sikhs were given a collective identity and purpose.
Unity and Equality: The Khalsa erased divisions of caste, class, and background, promoting universal brotherhood.
Commitment to Justice: Vaisakhi is a call to live with integrity, defend the oppressed, and uphold truth.
Key Insight:
While Guru Gobind Singh Ji was initiating the Khalsa — a movement of empowerment, equality, and justice. Guru Gobind Singh Ji through the Khalsa had launched a spiritual and socio-political revolution although in Punjab but today has a global reflection. The world around was navigating colonialism, monarchy, revolution, and reform. The world was grappling with dynastic politics, colonial expansion, and early modern transformations. Across continents, leaders were either centralizing power, as seen in the cases of Louis XIV and Peter the Great, or facing decline and unrest, such as the Mughals and the Spanish Crown. The Khalsa stood apart as a call to liberation through spiritual courage, not imperial domination. Guru Gobind Singh's actions stood in contrast to both oppressive empires (like the Mughals and Ottomans) and monarchies consolidating power, offering a vision of equality, courage, and divine justice.
Let's take a look as to what was going on in the world when Guru Gobind Singh ji had initiated the Khalsa in 1699.
North America (Late 17th Century)
Colonial Era: North America was largely under European colonial control, especially by the British, Spanish, and French. The British colonies along the East Coast were growing rapidly.
Indigenous Displacement: Native American populations were experiencing severe displacement, disease, and conflict due to European expansion.
Salem Witch Trials (1692–1693): Just a few years before 1699, one of colonial America’s most notorious episodes of mass hysteria and injustice had taken place in Massachusetts.
Slavery Expanding: The transatlantic slave trade was in full operation, with enslaved Africans being brought to North America for forced labor.
Europe
Age of Enlightenment (late 1600s): Intellectual movements were gaining momentum, promoting reason, science, and individualism over tradition and monarchy.
British Monarchy and Parliament: The Glorious Revolution (1688) had recently ended, and William III and Mary II ruled England, establishing constitutional monarchy.
Scientific Advancements: Thinkers like Isaac Newton were transforming science (his Principia Mathematica was published in 1687).
Wars of Succession: The War of the Spanish Succession was brewing (began in 1701), a major European power struggle over who would inherit the Spanish throne.
Asia (besides Punjab/India)
Mughal Empire (India): Guru Gobind Singh Ji's formation of the Khalsa was a response to Mughal oppression. Emperor Aurangzeb ruled with a hardline Islamic agenda, leading to persecution of non-Muslims, especially Sikhs and Hindus.
China – Qing Dynasty: The Kangxi Emperor was ruling, consolidating power, expanding China’s territory, and promoting cultural and scientific exchange with Jesuit missionaries.
Japan – Edo Period: Japan was under the Tokugawa Shogunate, in a long era of peace, cultural flourishing, and isolation from Western influence (sakoku policy).
Ottoman Empire (Middle East): The Ottomans were a dominant power but beginning to decline; they were still influential in the Muslim world.
In Summary:
As Guru Gobind Singh Ji was creating the Khalsa, a revolutionary movement for spiritual empowerment, social justice, and equality, other parts of the world were wrestling with colonialism, intellectual awakening, dynastic conflicts, and cultural shifts. The creation of the Khalsa stood out as a bold and divine stand for freedom, unity, and righteousness in the face of tyranny and oppression.
What is missing today, Challenges, and Reflections ?
This is a deeply important and emotionally resonant question. The Khalsa, founded on the ideals of justice, fearlessness, equality, sovereignty, and spiritual discipline, has faced immense historical and ongoing challenges. When comparing the state of the Khalsa today with the era of leaders like Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, and more recently Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, several profound differences and challenges emerge.
⚔️ THEN: The Khalsa in Its Prime
Era | Key Strengths |
Guru Gobind Singh Ji | Formed the Khalsa, infused it with spiritual sovereignty and militant discipline. Stood firmly against tyranny. |
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji | Introduced the concept of Miri-Piri (temporal and spiritual leadership), wore two swords, built the Akal Takht as the throne of Sikh sovereignty. |
Baba Banda Singh Bahadur | Abolished feudalism, redistributed land to farmers, struck coinage in the name of the Gurus — a political and spiritual assertion of Khalsa Raj. |
Maharaja Ranjit Singh | Established a sovereign Sikh empire, protected minorities, built institutions, and upheld Khalsa identity with dignity. |
Sant Jarnail Singh Ji | Advocated for a return to discipline, stood up against government excesses, and highlighted the need for spiritual and political awakening. |
🔥 TODAY: Key Challenges Facing the Khalsa
Domain | Challenges |
Justice & Accountability | 1984 genocide perpetrators still roam free. Courts and governments have failed to deliver justice. The system continues to shield the guilty. |
Sikh Political Unity | Fragmented leadership, politicization of Panthic institutions (like SGPC and Akal Takht), and internal rivalries weaken collective action. |
Spiritual Decline | Dilution of Sikh discipline (rehat maryada), weakening connection with Guru Granth Sahib, and growing materialism among youth. |
Cultural Amnesia | Loss of historical memory and pride; young Sikhs often disconnected from the legacy of Sikh warriors, martyrs, and revolutionaries. |
Media Misrepresentation | Sikhs are often portrayed as extremists when standing for their rights; lack of global awareness of Sikh struggles and values. |
State Suppression | In Punjab and elsewhere, surveillance, arrests, and the use of draconian laws (UAPA, NSA) continue against activists and youth. |
Global Sikh Disunity | Diaspora is strong but often divided. Differences in approach, ideology, and geography create barriers to collective Khalsa action. |
Farmer Agitation Outcome | While brave and united, the protests showed the resilience of the Sikh spirit but also exposed the limits of current political influence. Many demands still unmet. |
🛡️ What the Khalsa Needs to Reclaim
Ideal | How to Reclaim It |
Sovereignty (Raj) | Renewing political self-respect — through statehood, in the interim powerful global Panthic institutions and unity. |
Spiritual Rigour | Revival of Naam Simran, Nitnem, Amrit Sanchar, and Gurdwara-centric life. Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the absolute guide. |
Discipline & Courage | Following Rehat with love, not just as ritual; learning from Shaheeds, living with integrity and fearlessness. |
Collective Identity | Embracing “Khalsa Panth” as a living body, not just a historical concept — transcending jatha lines and divisions. |
Global Advocacy | Using international legal, media, and political channels to advocate for Sikh rights, highlight injustices, and tell our story. |
Leadership for the People | Moving beyond careerist leaders to those rooted in seva, gurmat, and grassroots Panthic values — leaders who serve, not rule. |
Sikh Organizations who demonstrate the work of the Khalsa and promise to keep the resolve of the Khalsa
Political Organizations
The World Sikh Parliament Sikhs for Justice
Khalistan Affairs Center
The Sikh Federation-UK The Sikh Coalition-Canada
Social Justice & Human Development Organizations
UNITED SIKHS(*) - Social Justice & Human Development, Impact - Global The Sikh Coalition - Social Justice, Impact-USA SALDEF - Social Justice, Impact-USA Jaikara - Social Development, Impact -USA
WSO- Social Justice - Impact -Canada
Khalsa Aid UK - Human Development (*) Note: This org has worked its way well to reflect both advocacy and human development- kind of reflecting on the concept of Miri-Piri
Human Rights Organizations
Ensaaf
Voices for Freedom
The Sikh Federation-UK
WSO
Note: There may be more who do their work silently and I may have missed quoting them. Salute to all of them. 🕯️ Final Reflection:
The Khalsa is not defeated — but it is challenged. Like the phoenix, it has always risen in times of darkness: from Mughal tyranny, Afghan invasions, British colonization, and the brutality of 1984, and what follows on. What it needs now is inner awakening, unity, and institutional regeneration.
"Raj Karega Khalsa, Aaki Rahe Na Koe!"— The Khalsa shall rule, and no tyrant shall remain — but only when the Khalsa rediscovers its spirit, shuns fear, and walks the Guru’s path.
By Inder Gill, igilltsl2020@gmail.com Twitter Handle: @InderSi75820219