Guru Gobind Singh a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. His teachings have inspired the Sikhs and others for generations.
For Guru all religions, gender and races were equal.:
Guru Gobind singh selected five 'panj pyaras' from across India for creating the 'Khalsa' panth. Three among these Five Beloved were from the low castes or Dalits. The poor and the downtrodden were always in the back of his mind during all the battles he fought. "Manas ki jaat ek hi pehchanbo - Recognize all Humankind as One" was his mantra for life.
Kings who had refused to join his battle against the Mughals because his army consisted of 'Shudras' (people from low castes).
"Tum bhi praja thae ho, Shudra jinhe batate ho. Din bandhu tabhe sadheo, dinan raj bhogeho. (You will be ruled by those whom you call Shudras today. I will be remembered as Din bandhu only when power is transferred to them),"
With the birth of the Khalsa the last of the barriers of caste and gender oppression had been smashed. Women though continuing their roles of mothers and wives were forever changed. They were lifted up and given the same Amrit at the side of their brothers. The same rules that applied to them to follow the Khalsa way applied to them. They were granted the same 5 K’s. Guru Gobind Singh's encouragement of women to keep even shastars symbolized that he did not envision her role in society as being that of a "nice, meek housewife," but rather that of a fearless, active, independent warrior, involved in the world.
Kaur became her name. Kaur has an interesting history. Its origin can be found in the word Kanwar, literally meaning a Crown Prince. Women were given Kaur to give them an identity independent of that of their husband and to uplift their spirit. Indeed it has been recorded in oral tradition that Guru Gobind Singh referred to his brave daughters as ‘Sahibzadey’ or sons for the valor they exhibited in battle
Guru Gobind Singh’s wife Mata Saheb Kaur led the Khalsa Panth for many years after passing of the tenth Guru. Jathedar Sada Kaur along with Maharaja Ranjit Singh made possible the formation of the Sikh Empire.
There is another fearless woman in Sikh history name Mata Bhaag Kaur or Mai Bhago who fought along with the 40 Sikhs was the Battle of Khidrana (battle of Muktsar) on December 29, 1705, against a Mughal force who were chasing Guru Gobind Singh. Mata Bhaag Kaur also known for first woman who raised the sword and led the Khalsa Army against Tyranny in Punjab. The Guru later granted Mai Bhago’s wish to be with him as his bodyguard and thereafter, she accompanied him to Damdama Sahib, Agra, and Nanded where he died in 1708.
Mata Sahib Kaur given the gift of Guru Hargobind (Sikhs Sixth Guru) sword
Rani Sada Kaur lead Maharajah Ranjit Singh Army for capturing Lahore Fort
"If we consider the work which (Guru) Gobind (Singh) accomplished, both in reforming his religion and instituting a new code of law for his followers, his personal bravery under all circumstances; his persevering endurance amidst difficulties, which would have disheartened others and overwhelmed them in inextricable distress, and lastly his final victory over his powerful enemies by the very men who had previously forsaken him, we need not be surprised that the Sikhs venerate his memory. He was undoubtedly a great man." (W. L. McGregor)
Sources:
http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mata_Sahib_Devan
https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/great-sikh-women/rani-sada-kaur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gobind_Singh
https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/know-mai-bhago-quoted-by-bbc-as-one-of-the-most-badass-women-in-history-punjab-sikh-international-women-s-daygolden-temple/story-DNwFYAc0j6uwDhiBGRTWXN.html
For Guru all religions, gender and races were equal.:
Guru Gobind singh selected five 'panj pyaras' from across India for creating the 'Khalsa' panth. Three among these Five Beloved were from the low castes or Dalits. The poor and the downtrodden were always in the back of his mind during all the battles he fought. "Manas ki jaat ek hi pehchanbo - Recognize all Humankind as One" was his mantra for life.
Kings who had refused to join his battle against the Mughals because his army consisted of 'Shudras' (people from low castes).
"Tum bhi praja thae ho, Shudra jinhe batate ho. Din bandhu tabhe sadheo, dinan raj bhogeho. (You will be ruled by those whom you call Shudras today. I will be remembered as Din bandhu only when power is transferred to them),"
With the birth of the Khalsa the last of the barriers of caste and gender oppression had been smashed. Women though continuing their roles of mothers and wives were forever changed. They were lifted up and given the same Amrit at the side of their brothers. The same rules that applied to them to follow the Khalsa way applied to them. They were granted the same 5 K’s. Guru Gobind Singh's encouragement of women to keep even shastars symbolized that he did not envision her role in society as being that of a "nice, meek housewife," but rather that of a fearless, active, independent warrior, involved in the world.
Kaur became her name. Kaur has an interesting history. Its origin can be found in the word Kanwar, literally meaning a Crown Prince. Women were given Kaur to give them an identity independent of that of their husband and to uplift their spirit. Indeed it has been recorded in oral tradition that Guru Gobind Singh referred to his brave daughters as ‘Sahibzadey’ or sons for the valor they exhibited in battle
Guru Gobind Singh’s wife Mata Saheb Kaur led the Khalsa Panth for many years after passing of the tenth Guru. Jathedar Sada Kaur along with Maharaja Ranjit Singh made possible the formation of the Sikh Empire.
There is another fearless woman in Sikh history name Mata Bhaag Kaur or Mai Bhago who fought along with the 40 Sikhs was the Battle of Khidrana (battle of Muktsar) on December 29, 1705, against a Mughal force who were chasing Guru Gobind Singh. Mata Bhaag Kaur also known for first woman who raised the sword and led the Khalsa Army against Tyranny in Punjab. The Guru later granted Mai Bhago’s wish to be with him as his bodyguard and thereafter, she accompanied him to Damdama Sahib, Agra, and Nanded where he died in 1708.
Mata Bhaag Kaur ji fighting with Mughals.
Rani Sada Kaur lead Maharajah Ranjit Singh Army for capturing Lahore Fort
"If we consider the work which (Guru) Gobind (Singh) accomplished, both in reforming his religion and instituting a new code of law for his followers, his personal bravery under all circumstances; his persevering endurance amidst difficulties, which would have disheartened others and overwhelmed them in inextricable distress, and lastly his final victory over his powerful enemies by the very men who had previously forsaken him, we need not be surprised that the Sikhs venerate his memory. He was undoubtedly a great man." (W. L. McGregor)
Sources:
http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mata_Sahib_Devan
https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/great-sikh-women/rani-sada-kaur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gobind_Singh
https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/know-mai-bhago-quoted-by-bbc-as-one-of-the-most-badass-women-in-history-punjab-sikh-international-women-s-daygolden-temple/story-DNwFYAc0j6uwDhiBGRTWXN.html
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