Khalsa refers to both a community that considers Sikhism as its faith, as well as a special group of initiated Sikhs. The Khalsa tradition was initiated in 1699 by the Tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. Its formation was a key event in the history of Sikhism. The founding of Khalsa is celebrated by Sikhs during the festival of Vaisakhi.
19th century Akali Sikh warriors.
Nishan Sahib in blue, at Akali Phoola Singh di Burj in Amritsar
Jung Khalsa warriors playing Gatka and Shastar Vidya
A 1999 stamp dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Khalsa
Sikhism, also known as Sikhi, is an Indian religion and philosophy in particular for the Sikh ethnoreligious group that originated in the Punjab region of India around the end of the 15th century CE. The Sikh scriptures are written in the Gurumukhi script particular to Sikhs. It is one of the most recently founded major religious groups and among the largest in the world, with about 25–30 million adherents.
Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Punjab, the holiest site of the Sikh religion
Tarn Taran Sahib – The World's Largest Sarovar (sacred pool)
A sketch made in 1844 by Emily Eden of the "Akalees or Immortals". Digitized by the Panjab Digital Library.
An Akali-Nihang Sikh Warrior at Harmandir Sahib, also called the Golden Temple
