From resistance to rule: The strategic role of dal Khalsa and Misls in consolidating Sikh sovereignty
Author(s): Dinesh Kumar, Rekha Rani and Yashpal Singh
Abstract: The eighteenth century marked a transformative period in the history of the Sikh community, as it evolved from a scattered resistance force into a formidable sovereign power. This research paper, explores the critical political and military strategies employed by the Sikh collectives—particularly the Dal Khalsa and the confederated Misls—that facilitated this shift. Through a detailed examination of primary historical records and scholarly analyses, the paper investigates how the Sarbat Khalsa assemblies institutionalized collective decision-making, how the Dal Khalsa unified military efforts, and how the Misls operated as decentralized yet coordinated units of power. The study highlights the adaptability, regional integration, and social support systems that underpinned Sikh resistance against Mughal and Afghan rule. Furthermore, it evaluates the internal dynamics of leadership, resource mobilization, and territorial governance that enabled the consolidation of Sikh sovereignty, culminating in the rise of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. This paper aims to offer a nuanced understanding of the Sikh political-military evolution, framing it as both a grassroots resistance and a structured state-building process rooted in collective identity and strategic coherence.
Pages: 100-105 | Views: 77 | Downloads: 59Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Dinesh Kumar, Rekha Rani, Yashpal Singh. From resistance to rule: The strategic role of dal Khalsa and Misls in consolidating Sikh sovereignty. Int J Hist 2025;7(6):100-105.
