The Panj Pyare are the men by choosing whom Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the tenth guru of Sikhs) initiated “Khalsa” that describes the Sikh brotherhood. At that time, many Sikhs were relapsing into Hinduism to escape the persecution of Islam.
And also, they did not have the courage to declare their faith in Sikhism. It was an effort that was made to revive the community and inculcate in it the virtues of fearlessness and courage.
The selection of Panj Pyaras was done on 13 April 1699, on the day of Vaisakhi. Guru Ji has announced a gathering of Sikh community on that day in Shri Anandpur Sahib.
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After a normal discussion of Sikh beliefs, Guru Ji asked for five men who would be ready to sacrifice their life at that very moment, not only for him but for the whole Sikh community.
When no one came forth Guru Ji exhorted them and asked that if they have no courage, they are not the true Sikhs. After listening to him, finally, a man stepped forward. Guru Gobind Singh Ji took him inside a nearby tent. Within a few minutes, a thud was heard and when Guru Ji came out of the tent, his sword dripped with blood.
All were expecting that the man has been killed. Now, it was the turn of the second man. But after seeing the condition of the first man, no one dared to come ahead.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji then declared the end of the community. Meanwhile, the second man came out and was taken to the same tent. Again, Guru Ji came out and asked for the next man.
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The same process repeated for the remaining three men but all were surprised to see what happened after Guru Ji took the fifth man to the tent. He came out with all of them and with five decapitated goats.
These five Sikhs then termed as Panj Pyare and were give the name of Singh. Guru Ji gave them “Amrit” to drink and described them as Khalsa.
Then Guru Ji asked the five Sikhs to offer him the “Amrit” and baptize him as a Khalsa. The names of those brave five Sikhs are: Bhai Daya Singh, Bai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh, and Bhai Sahib Singh.
