Final answer:
The provided references suggest that the bodies may have been ripped open as part of ritualistic practices to retrieve valuable items or due to royal burial rituals, rather than any of the given answer options directly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question appears to be in reference to ancient practices that were carried out in historical times. Considering the context provided, which discusses the burial rituals and practices such as human sacrifice and royal bloodletting rituals, the correct answer to "Why were the bodies of Sikhs ripped open?" is not explicitly mentioned in the provided references. Such practices were usually associated with ritualistic practices or retrieving valuable items believed to be hidden on or within the body. It is important to cross-reference historical sources to find specific instances and reasons for such actions.
In historical contexts, items like gold coins were sometimes swallowed or hidden on individuals, and retrieved after their demise. Other practices mentioned include royal bloodletting rituals which demonstrated the strength and spiritual power of leaders, and intentional burials following specific rites that indicated a ritualistic practice as well. Detailed archaeological analysis can reveal insights into these ancient customs and provide evidence for the hypotheses about the handling of bodies post-mortem.