Khalsa
The Sikh army, the Khalsa (literally ‘the pure’), was probably the most formidable opponent the British faced on the Indian subcontinent. It was composed of traditional Indian irregular cavalry and infantry, alongside European-trained regulars. The latter even wore redcoats like the British Army and East India?Company’s armies. The Sikh artillery was of a particularly high standard, but its cavalry units often lacked discipline.
Although it contained a small minority of Hindu and Muslim Punjabi and Kashmiri troops, the vast majority of its soldiers were Sikhs who viewed themselves as the true embodiment of the Sikh nation and religion.
Certain factions within the Khalsa, believing a clash inevitable, were emboldened by recent British?setbacks in?the?First Afghan War?(1839-42) and the vulnerability this exposed.
To be continued...
In Arabic "Khalsa" is plot of land or anything that was under the direct control and ownership of a King. In Farsi it means "pure". Thus Khalsa Panth is combination of these two ideas.