Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti: Five ways modern warfare still uses his Khalsa principles

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Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti: Five ways modern warfare still uses his Khalsa principles
Guru Gobind Singh, the sikh guru, crossing the river Sarsa with his forcesWikiemedia

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Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last in the line of Sikh gurus. A poet, philosopher and spiritual leader — he was best known for his warrior skills. Many of the principles and concepts he set up back in the 1600s are still used in modern warfare today.

Born in 1666, he found himself pushed into the role of a leader at the age of nine after his father — Guru Tegh Bahadur — was beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam.

A little over thirty years down the line, he made his first pivotal move to cement Sikhism as a religion. He established an armed force of dedicated Sikh warriors called the Khalsa. They fought 14 wars under his leadership.

Here are five principles which are relevant even today:
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The aim of the Khalsa was to fight Dharam Yudh, a war in the defence of righteousness. Its principles bear a resemblance to the western theory of Just War.

The aim of the Khalsa was to fight Dharam Yudh, a war in the defence of righteousness. Its principles bear a resemblance to the western theory of Just War.

Guru Gobind Singh establishes the Khalsa (Source: Wikimedia)

Dharam Yudh says that war must be a last resort. The theory of Just War specifies that conflicts should be governed by the principle of military necessity.

Similarly, Dharam Yudh says that the motive behind a war cannot be revenge or enmity. The theory of Just War dictates that taking human life is seriously wrong, but sometimes necessary to protect innocent citizens and moral values.

Guru Gobind Singh’s Dharam Yudh dictates that civilians should not be harmed during a war. The Fourth Geneva Convention, which was adopted in 1949, dictates the same thing, but only after the Second World War.

Guru Gobind Singh’s Dharam Yudh dictates that civilians should not be harmed during a war. The Fourth Geneva Convention, which was adopted in 1949, dictates the same thing, but only after the Second World War.
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​Dharam Yudh relies on the principle that only minimum force needed for success should be used. Many armies around the world stand by the same principle today.

​Dharam Yudh relies on the principle that only minimum force needed for success should be used. Many armies around the world stand by the same principle today.

Guru Gobind Singh marching to battle (Source: CulturalIndia)

The US Army’s Field Manual lists ‘economy of force’ as one of its guiding principles. It means combat power should be employed in the most effective manner. India functions on a similar principle as well, only it’s called the ‘economy of effort’. Even the British and Russian army act on the same guideline.

Guru Gobind Singh was lauded during his time for being one of the few known leaders to provide first aid to the wounded on the battlefield irrespective for their affiliation. This is similar to the role the Red Cross plays in modern warfare.

Guru Gobind Singh was lauded during his time for being one of the few known leaders to provide first aid to the wounded on the battlefield irrespective for their affiliation. This is similar to the role the Red Cross plays in modern warfare.

Khalsa forces fighting the battle of Chimkaur (Source: NewsBharati)

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Guru Gobind Singh was first among a few to say that soldiers who surrendered should not be harmed. While war crimes are recognized today, it was much less common in the 1600s.

Guru Gobind Singh was first among a few to say that soldiers who surrendered should not be harmed. While war crimes are recognized today, it was much less common in the 1600s.

Guru Gobind Singh's first fight, the battle of Bhangani (Source: SikhUnity)

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