The history of the development of the Sikhs over the past 500 years has at times been tumultuous and bloody. The involvement of the British only propagated the violent fighting between the Sikhs and the Hindus. The subcontinent was partitioned into India and Pakistan in 1947. The Sikh population was divided equally on both sides of the boundary line. In 1984, Indian troops attacked the Golden Temple, where militants had established their headquarters. There was considerable damage and the militants were driven out. It is believed that the angry reaction of the Sikhs led to the assassination of the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by Sikh members of her bodyguard later that year. The reaction to that dreadful event led to riots and the massacre of many Sikhs.

The separatist movement has the establishment of an independent Sikh state to be called Khalistan (Land of the Pure) as its goal.