Miri and Piri

Both words come through Persian: mir, a commander or ruler, and pir, a spiritual guide. The concept is usually traced to the installation of Sri Guru Hargobind Ji in 1606, following the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji. Guru Ji wore two swords at the investiture, one for spiritual headship and one for command of the community's affairs.

Guru Ji raised the Akal Takht in front of Harmandir Sahib, kept an armed force and asked followers to offer horses and weapons. The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism presents this as defence of the community's freedom of worship. Traditions in Sikhan di Bhagat Mala and Gurbilas Chhevin Patshahi say Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji had already encouraged his son's military training.[EoS][EoS]

The Encyclopaedia argues that the idea did not begin in 1606. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji rejected withdrawal from the world and openly criticised unjust rulers. By the time of the later Gurus, the community had districts, new towns and regular offerings, and followers addressed Guru Ji as the true king.

Rai Balvand and Satta use the language of kingship in their Var on ang 966. They speak of a fort of truth and a royal umbrella over Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji's head.[EoS][Src]

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's creation of the Khalsa carried the idea forward into a community that was both religious and political. The slogan that the Khalsa shall rule is attributed to Guru Ji, and the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism records it as an attribution.

The same entry argues that miri-piri does not mean rule by priests, as Sikhism has no priestly hierarchy, and that faith is to act as a moral guide to power. It reads Sikh rule under Banda Singh Bahadur, the misls and Maharaja Ranjit Singh as religiously neutral. That is the entry's own interpretation.[EoS]