Consider the following statements regarding the Sikh misls: 1. They were organized bands of Sikhs that emerged in the eighteenth century. 2. They were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh before the establishment of the Khalsa. 3. Their combined forces met at Amritsar to take collective decisions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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.

NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 8: Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

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Consider the following statements regarding the Sikh misls:

They were organized bands of Sikhs that emerged in the eighteenth century.
They were abolished by Guru Gobind Singh before the establishment of the Khalsa.
Their combined forces met at Amritsar to take collective decisions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

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.

Your note

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Consider the following statements regarding the Rajput rulers in the eighteenth century: 1. Many Rajput kings were permitted to enjoy considerable autonomy in their watan jagirs. 2. Ajit Singh of Jodhpur held the governorship of Malwa. 3. Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber held the governorship of Gujarat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

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.