The kirpan is a sword or small dagger, originating from the Indian subcontinent, carried by Sikhs. It is also part of a religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, in which he demanded that Sikhs must wear the five articles of faith (the five Ks) at all times, the kirpan being one of five Ks.. The Punjabi word kirpan has two roots: kirpa, meaning “mercy”, “grace”, “compassion” or …

