The story of the formation of the Khalsa is dramatic:

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh was speaking to a crowd celebrating the Vaisakhi festival.
He invited a volunteer from the crowd to 'give their head' for Sikhism.
One man came forward and was taken into a tent. The crowd heard a loud swish and then the Guru came out of the tent showing his sword, covered in blood.
The Guru asked for more volunteers. Four more men (five in total) volunteered and disappeared into the tent. Each time there was a loud noise and the Guru then showed his blood-stained sword.
After the 5th volunteer was 'beheaded', all give men were led out of the tent, dressed in fine saffron robes.

The Guru announced that they were the founding members of the Khalsa. From this point on, members of the Khalsa would take a new a name: Singh for men (meaning lion) and Kaur for women (meaning princess). This story shows the importance of commitment to others and to your religion with no thought for your own wellbeing. The Khalsa is the community of Sikhs and shows the importance of defending the religion and the weak.

Y7 Sikhism

The Khalsa