The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The
Sikh Misls were sovereign, semi-autonomous confederacies of Sikh warriors that rose to power in the Punjab region during the 18th century. This period followed the decline of Mughal authority and the invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali. The term
Misl generally refers to a file or paper, implying a record of territories or troops, or an equal confederacy.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct. The Misls were indeed organized bands of Sikhs that emerged prominently in the eighteenth century (specifically after the death of Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716). They organized themselves into Dal Khalsa (the army of the Khalsa) to defend against Mughal persecution and Afghan invasions. There were eventually 12 major Misls.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect. The Misls were not abolished by Guru Gobind Singh; rather, they emerged long after his death. Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa in 1699. The Misl system developed later as a political and military organization during the chaotic mid-18th century. It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh (of the Sukerchakia Misl) who later consolidated these independent Misls into a unified Sikh Empire in the early 19th century, effectively ending their independent existence.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The central administration of the Misls was based on the principle of Gurmatta (Guru’s resolution). The chiefs of the various Misls would meet at Amritsar (usually twice a year during Baisakhi and Diwali) in an assembly known as the Sarbat Khalsa. Here, they would take collective decisions regarding political, military, and religious matters in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Key Takeaway
Sikh Misls were 18th-century confederacies formed
after the establishment of the Khalsa (1699) and the death of Guru Gobind Singh (1708). They were unified through the
Sarbat Khalsa meetings at Amritsar and later consolidated into a single empire by
Ranjit Singh.