The kirpan (Punjabi: ਕਿਰਪਾਨ) is a sword that Amritdhari Khalsa Sikhs are required to wear as part of their religious uniform (The 5 K's), as prescribed by the Sikh Code of Conduct. It is commonly mistranslated as a dagger or knife, as a result of British colonial policies which reduced the length of the blade. According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada, "The length of the sword to be worn is not prescribed". The sword was traditionally over 3 feet long. It is part of a religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, founding the Khalsa and introducing the five articles of faith (the five Ks) which must be worn at all times, the kirpan being one of five Ks. The Punjabi word ਕਿਰਪਾਨ, kirpān, has a folk etymology with two roots: kirpa, meaning "mercy", "grace", "compassion" or "kindness"; and aanaa, meaning "honor", "grace" or "dignity". It is derived from or related to Sanskrit कृपाण (kṛpaṇa, “sword, dagger, sacrificial knife”), ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European stem *kerp-, from *(s)ker, meaning "to cut". Sikhs are expected to embody the qualities of a Sant Sipahi or "saint-soldier", showing no fear on the battlefield and treating defeated enemies humanely. The Bhagat further defines the qualities of a sant sipahi as one who is "truly brave...who fights for the deprived". Kirpans are curved and have a single cutting edge that should be sharp. They vary in size and a Sikh who has undergone the Amrit Sanskar ceremony of initiation may carry more than one; the Kirpans must be made of steel or iron. History Sikhism was founded in the 15th century in the Punjab region of medieval India. At the time of its founding, this culturally rich region was governed by the Mughal Empire. During the time of the founder of the Sikh faith and its first guru, Guru Nanak, Sikhism flourished as a counter to both the prevalent Hindu and Muslim teachings. The Mughal emperor Akbar focused on religious tolerance. His relationship with Sikh Gurus was cordial. The relationship between the Sikhs and Akbar's successor Jehangir was not friendly. Later Mughal rulers reinstated shari'a traditions of jizya, a poll tax on non-Muslims. The Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth guru, refused to remove references to Muslim and Hindu teachings in the Adi Granth and was summoned and executed. This incident is seen as a turning point in Sikh history, leading to the first instance