Sarbat Khalsa

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The Sarbat Khalsa is a gathering of a representative portion of the Khalsa Panth held at Amritsar in India. During the 18th century the Sarbat Khalsa was converted into the supreme central forum for decision-making relating to all issues affecting the Sikh religion. These included Sikh philosophy, Sikh community development and central administration of the Sikh religion. The Sarbat Khalsa was also responsible for decision making and planning for strengthening the Sikh religion and Sikh politics. During the 18th century, the Sikh Confederacy existed and the Sarbat Khalsa was responsible for adjudicating disputes about property and succession in the Sikh Barons' kingdoms if they were unable to resolve them internally. Due to the powers and rights invested in the Sarbat Khalsa, during the period of the Gurus, it is seen as the most powerful body in the Sikh religion.

[edit] References

• Volume 2: Evolution of Sikh Confederacies (1708-1769) by Hari Ram Gupta. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, 1999, ISBN:8121505402, Pages: 383 pages, illustrated.
• The Heritage of the Sikhs by Harbans Singh. 1994, ISBN: 8173040648.
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• The Sikh Commonwealth or Rise and Fall of Sikh Misls. 2001, revised edition. ISBN: 8121501652.
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lord of the Five Rivers by Jean-Marie Lafont. Oxford University Press. 2002, ISBN: 0195661117.
• History of Panjab by Dr L. M. Joshi and Dr Fauja Singh.