Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Sikh community in the 18th century:
1.The Sikhs, post-Banda Bahadur, organized themselves into the Dal Khalsa, an integrated military and political organization.
2.Amritsar emerged as the religious and political capital of the Sikh community, primarily due to the annual gatherings of the Sarbat Khalsa (General Assembly).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. After the execution of Banda Bahadur, the Sikhs faced severe persecution. They regrouped into the Dal Khalsa (the Khalsa Army) and successfully carried out guerrilla warfare against the Mughal and Afghan forces.
- Statement 2: Correct. Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), served as the central point for the Sarbat Khalsa gatherings, where crucial decisions (known as Gurmatas) were taken, giving the city immense political and religious significance.
