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Dharam Yudh - Just War

Sikhism has a concept of the Just War. It's called Dharam Yudh, meaning war in the defence of righteousness.

In such a war:

• the war must be the last resort - all other ways of resolving the conflict must be tried first
• the motive must not be revenge or enmity
• the army must not include mercenaries
• the army must be disciplined
• only the minimum force needed for success should be used
• civilians must not be harmed
• there must be no looting, territory must not be annexed, property taken must be returned

This is similar to the ideas contained in western Just War theory.

Sikhs also believe that treaties and cease-fires must be honoured, places of worship (of any faith) should not be damaged, and soldiers who surrender should not be harmed.

The crucial difference from Just War theory is that Sikhs believe that, if a war is just, it should be undertaken even if it cannot be won.

Sikhs are expected to take military action against oppression, and there is no modern tradition of absolute pacifism amongst Sikhs, although Sikhs are strongly in favour of action to promote human rights and harmony between religions and states.

In the time of its founder, Guru Nanak, in the 16th century CE, Sikhism was clearly a religion of peace.

Guru Nanak wrote:

From the time of the 5th guru, Arjan Dev, Sikhism became increasingly militant, but only in response to oppression and attempts to suppress the faith.

The 6th guru, Guru Har Gobind, thought that military action would sometimes be needed to promote the cause of justice and protect the innocent from attack.

The 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh, gave the Sikhs the mission of fighting against oppression and formed the Khalsa.

Guru Gobind Singh made it clear that military action was to be the last resort, but emphasised that they should not be avoided if they proved necessary:

Find out more

• Ethics: war
• Western Just War theory