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Sikh community's embrace of military and political organisation made it a considerable regional force in medieval India and it continued to evolve after the demise of the gurus.

Sikh warrior bands known as misls formed

decline of the Mughal empire, a Sikh Empire arose in the Punjab under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, with its capital in Lahore and limits reaching the Khyber Pass and the borders of China.

During India's struggle for independence, Sikhs fought against the British at great personal cost. In the successful fight for independence, 3,697 Sikhs were hanged, killed or imprisoned for life, versus 1,074 non-Sikhs.

When India was granted independence and partitioned in 1947, massive populations of Muslims and Hindus were given their own geographic nation. The hard-working and hard-fighting Sikhs decided to join with predominantly Hindu India and put their faith in the Indian government to protect their interests. After receiving such firm and solemn promises in clear and unambiguous terms from the Congress Party leaders, Sikhs decided to throw in their lot with India and did not press the British government for an independent Sikh state. They had wholeheartedly and vigorously supported the freedom struggle and suffered greatly for the cause. Promises of religious freedom and self-determination made to them by Mahatma Gandhi and Mr. Nehru were never fulfilled. No sooner had the country achieved independence when all past promises, declarations and assurances made to the Sikhs, and the sacrifices made by the Sikhs were forgotten. With the partition of India to form the Moslem state of Pakistan, 60% of the agriculturally developed lands of the Sikhs went to Pakistan and the Sikhs migrated to Indian Punjab to make their new homes on barren land. Through their skill and industry, this land was transformed by a "green revolution" and now provides 60% of the food supply for all of India, including 70% of all the wheat and 50% of the rice.

"It was the Sikhs who helped spawn the "green revolution" in agriculture- the single most stunning accomplishment of India's independent years." Christian Science Monitor. 6/18/84

Q: What kind of government does Sikhism promote? A: Sikhism promotes democracy and the belief that the welfare of people is best secured by their elected representatives. The principle rule of the Khalsa includes electing 5 individuals as the head of the state. Only the unanimous decision agreed by all 5 individuals as the head of the state shall materialize. The reason is that a single head of the state such as one president can make mistakes and become convoluted in his judgment but unanimous decision by 5 heads of the state guarantees more accurate and ethical decision. This is a good example of true democracy. Sikhism also believes in contributing to the society. The gulf between the more fortunate and the less fortunate has to be bridged. The Guru established the Free Kitchen (Langar) which serves the purpose of breaking the caste system and feeding the poor. Sikhism does not believe in capitalism and promotes sharing your wealth with poor. No one should be left hungry or deprived of any necessity for living.