Excerpt from Transition of Sikhism Into a Political Organization
It is usual to say that Sikhism, as founded by Nanak, was a sect of peaceful disciples, and retained its original character until the ministry fell into the hands of Guru Govind Singh. He was, it is said, an ambitious man, and transformed this sect of peaceful devotees into a baud of fanatical warriors. It is, undoubtedly, true that the political aspirations of the Sikhs became more pronounced under the leadership of the tenth Guru, but a careful study of the Sikh History must show that the process of transformation had begun long before the time of Guru Govind. Govind himself, in fact, as well as his work, was the natural product of the process of evolution that had been going on ever since the foundation of Sikhism. The harvest which ripened in the time of Guru Govind Singh had been sown by Nanak and watered by his successors. The sword which carved the Khalsa"s way to glory was, undoubtedly, forged by Govind, but the steel had been provided by Nanak, who had obtained it, as it were, by smelting the Hindu ore, and burning out the dross of indifference and superstition of the masses, and the hypocrisy and pharisaism of the priests.
"All religious movements," the German Emperor once said, "are in reality political movements." And this is true in so far as the inspiration for all public movements comes from religion.
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