Question

Give an account of the growth of Sikhism after the period of Guru Nanak.

Answer 1

1. Guru Nanak nominated his disciple Lehna to succeed him as the guru. Following this
   precedent, the successors are named by the incumbent Sikh Guru.
2. At the time of Guru Gobind Singh, the custom of pahul (baptism by sweetened water stirred with a dagger) was introduced.
3. Those who got baptised became members of a disciplined brotherhood known as the Khalsa (meaning the pure).
4. The men were given the title Singh (lion). Every member of the Khalsa had to have five distinctive things on his person.
5. These were kesh (uncut hair), kangha (comb), kirpan (dagger), kada (steel bangle) and kachera (underpants).
6. After Guru Gobind Singh, the holy book Guru Granth Sahib is considered the guru and its message is spread by the Khalsa.