Khalsa

"From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free," wrote Arjan Devi Ji, the fifth Sikh guru in the 1590's. Out of conflictions with the intolerence of Islam and the caste system of the Hindus, Sikhism was born. But geography may haved played as big of role in shaping the Sikh culture as their belief system. Their homeland of Punjab was the last border for Moguhl invaders fighting their way into India. The Sikhs, who see themselves as the protectors of justice, lost up to up to 80 percent of their population stopping the invaders, only to have Punjab split in two during India's 1947 partition. It was the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh Ji, who gave the name Khalsa, meaning pure, to his people. Holding all people and faiths as equal in the eyes of God, they were to combine self-respect with humility. The 9th Guru said "Never fear, and never inflict fear."