Who laid the foundation of the ‘Khalsa Panth’ (army of the pure)?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Guru Gobind Singh
In the late seventeenth century the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, laid the foundation of the Khalsa Panth (army of the pure) and defined its five symbols: uncut hair, a dagger, a pair of shorts, a comb and a steel bangle. Under him the community became a socio-religious and military force. He also added the compositions of the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, to the scripture, which was then called the Guru Granth Sahib.
NCERT (2025-26): “8.2 Baba Guru Nanak and the Sacred Word … The fifth preceptor, Guru Arjan, compiled Baba Guru Nanak’s hymns along with those of his four successors and other religious poets like Baba Farid, Ravidas (also known as Raidas) and Kabir in the Adi Granth Sahib. These hymns, called ‘gurbani’, are composed in various languages. In the late seventeenth century the tenth preceptor, Guru Gobind Singh, included the compositions of the ninth guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and this scripture was called the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh also laid the foundation of the Khalsa Panth (army of the pure) and defined its five symbols: uncut hair, a dagger, a pair of shorts, a comb and a steel bangle. Under him the community got consolidated as a socio-religious and military force.” |