Persecution of Sikhs

Sikhism is a Dharmic religion that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent around the end of the 15th century CE. The Sikh religion developed and evolved during periods of religious persecution, gaining converts from Hinduism and Islam. Mughal emperors of India tortured and executed two of the Sikh gurus—Guru Arjan (1563–1605) and Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621–1675)—after they refused to convert to Islam.

See also: Religious Persecution § By religion#Persecutions of Sikhs

Medieval India

See also: Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent

The persecution of Sikhs during the Islamic era triggered the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, the Khalsa is an order which was founded for the purpose of protecting the freedom of conscience and religion of the Sikhs, with members expressing the qualities of a Sant-Sipāhī—a saint-soldier.