Guru Nanak Dev Ji the leader of the Sikhism religion was born on 15 April 1469, in Talwandi Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, the founder of the sikh religion. He holds the first place in the 10 Sikhism gurus. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born to Mehta Kalu Ji and Mata Tripta Ji in a Hindu Khatri family. Guru Nanak showed profound spiritual inclinations coupled by unending questioning about God and spiritual matters since early in his life. Guru Nanak Dev Ji got married to Mata Sulakhni in his 16 th year and had two sons Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. At the age of thirty, Guru Nanak experienced his three-day religious vision. He was taken by the Kali Bein River when he went to have a bath and came out three days later. When Guru Nanak Dev Ji came back to his family, he got divine wisdom that God was found above all boundaries between the Hindu and Muslim religions. He began his mission at this time to preach the message of religious unity and divine equality in addition to God-focused devotion that denied ethnical identity and religious categories. The 20-year traveling period in the life of Guru Nanak is referred to as Udasis by Sikhs. Guru Nanak used this time to deliver the message of one God, as well as campaign for equality among humans. In his life, he had travelled India as well as the Middle East and Central Asia, and then had an encounter with several religious communities and ethnic groups of these places. He composed a lot of pieces in poetic hymns that would later be incorporated into the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikh religion. He moved to Kartarpur, which he founded along the Ravi River in 1522.
Guru Angad Dev Ji, before known as Bhai Lehna Ji, was the second successor of the Sikh religion when he was born on March 31st, 1504, in Matte Di Sarai village in Punjab, India. Bhai Pheru Mal and his wife Mata Ramo were devout Hindu practitioners. Since childhood, Bhai Lehna engaged himself in spiritual activities completely by worshipping the Hindu deity, Durga. It was a complete change in his life when Guru Nanak Dev Ji came into his life in 1532. He was influenced by Guru Nanak to be his esteemed devotee, and in the process, he fully committed himself to the Sikh religion and left behind his former religious beliefs. In 1539, Guru Nanak appointed Bhai Lehna as his successor after giving him the name Guru Angad, which meant that the disciple had now become a living limb of the great master. As the Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Angad Dev Ji developed several significances to Sikhism. He normalised Gurmukhi, the written language of Punjabi instituted by Guru Nanak, through his efforts. Gurmukhi script, which Guru Nanak had developed, was to be the main instrument in disseminating his teachings because Sikh holy books were composed using this script. Guru Angad organized the hymns of Guru Nanak and composed 62 new verses that were later included in the holy Guru Granth Sahib manuscript of the Sikh religion. Guru Angad Dev Ji not only produced literary works but also enhanced physical well-being by establishing Mal Akhara centers, which facilitated wrestling and training exercises, thus creating the perception that physical fitness results in mental balance. Guru Angad Dev Ji succumbed to death on March 29, 1552, at Khadur Sahib. Guru Amar Dev Ji presented the idea of the succession of Guru Amar Das Ji as his replacement before he died as a way of ensuring leadership of the Sikhs.
Guru Amar Das Ji was the third Sikhism Guru who was born on May 5, 1479, in Basarke Gillan village located in Punjab, India. Guru Amar Das Ji was born in a Hindu family to parents Tej Bhan Bhalla and Mata Bakht Kaur. During the lifetime of Guru Amar Das, he observed all the conventional practices since he had married his wife, Mata Mansa Devi, and had four children. He was very religious because he spent several years of his life as a follower of Vaishnava Hinduism. Bibi Amro was sharing Guru Nanak hymns with Guru Amar Das when he was sixty-two years old; this was how she introduced him to Sikhism. Guru Amar Das was moved by the spiritual songs and hence started his quest to meet Guru Angad Dev Ji to become his spiritual student. The devotion that he offered to Guru Angad made him one of his closest followers and offered remarkable service within a limited span of time. When Guru Angad Dev Ji was thirty-four years old, he appointed Guru Amar Das to be the third Guru of the Sikhism in 1552. Manji system was a decentralized system of administration that he devised to disseminate Sikhism and restructure social system. The Guru Amar Das was able to institute numerous fundamental reforms during the Sikh society and religion during his time in office. He removed the purdah system of veiling of women and Sati widow immolation through his policies and upheld the rights and respect of the sexes. In his teachings, Guru Amar Das also struggled with racial segregation in marriages as well as the caste bigotry.
Guru Ram Das Ji was born on 24 September 1534 in Lahore, present-day Pakistan to Guru Angad and Mata Bhani. He was born Bhai Jetha. His father and mother were Har Das Ji and Mata Daya Kaur. Bhai Jetha was spiritually inclined and affectionate in nature which was reflected in his early childhood. When Bhai Jetha was 12 years old he became a disciple of Guru Amar Das Ji, the third Guru of the Sikhs, and offered his life to him. He was married to Bibi Bhani, the daughter of Guru Amar Das Ji thus establishing his relation with the Sikh Guru dynasty. Guru Ram Das Ji contributed a lot to the Sikhism as Guru Ram Das Ji during 1574- 1581. He founded Ramdaspur, afterwards called Amritsar, the Pool of Nectar. Amritsar emerged as the center heart of Sikhism and Guru Ram Das Ji managed to build the Harmandir Sahib. Golden Temple is the most sacred Gurdwara (place of worship) in Sikh and a symbol of equality, inclusion, and spiritual freedom. Guru Ram Das Ji also made arrangements in the Sikh community by coming up with Manji system whereby responsible Sikh missionaries (Manjis) were appointed to different places to spread the message of Sikhism. He also established the Anand Karaj institution, the Sikh Marriage ceremony, The Sikh marriage ritual underlines the importance of family and community in Sikh lives. Guru Ram Das Ji wrote many hymns which were added to Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Scripture of Sikhism. Guru Ram Das Ji passed away on the 1st of September, the year 1581 in Amritsar. He nominated his youngest son Arjan Dev Ji as his successor before dying and he became the fifth Sikh Guru.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Sikh Guru)
Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the fifth Guru of the Sikh religion born on April 15, 1563 in Goindval, Punjab, India. He was the lastborn son of Guru Ram Das Ji, the fourth Sikh Guru and Mata Bhani Ji. Guru Arjan Dev Ji had demonstrated great intellect, spiritual understanding and compassion at a very young age. In 1581, Guru Arjan Dev Ji assumed the Guruship at the age of 18 years after his father. He also supervised the completion of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) at Amritsar that became the center of Sikh worship across the world. Among the greatest achievements of Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the compilation of Adi Granth which is presently called Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In 1604, Guru Granth Sahib was installed in the Harmandir Sahib, and it has been cemented as the eternal Guru of Sikhism. Guru Arjan Dev Ji had to overcome many challenges in his Guruship especially those political leaders who were against the Sikh doctrine. He was jailed by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1606 on false charges of treason, and was tortured. All through his suffering, Guru Arjan Dev Ji remained steadfast in his belief and service to truth and justice. On May 30, 1606, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred in Lahore by being drowned in Ravi River. His martyrdom has been an inspiration to the Sikhs throughout the world on the sacrifice and the strength to fight against all odds. Guru Arjan Dev Ji contributed to a magnificent legacy which remained and will continue to remain remarkable. People admire him because of his spiritual insights, his contribution to the formation of Sikh institutions, and his unrelenting efforts to enhance equality, peace, and compassion. His compilation of Guru Granth Sahib still continues to guide and inspire millions of Sikhs throughout the world and it contains the universal message of love, harmony and devotion to God.
Guru Hargobind Ji (6th Sikh Guru)
The sixth Guru of the Sikhism, Guru Hargobind Sahib was born on June 19, 1595, at Guru Ki Wadali, which is close to Amritsar in Punjab, India. He was the son of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru and Mata Ganga Ji. Guru Hargobind Sahib was an influential, brave and spiritual minded person even as a child. Guru Hargobind Sahib was the sixth Guru of Sikhism when he was just eleven years old, after his father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred in 1606. As Guru Hargobind Sahib was keen to protect the Sikh nation and its privileges, he inaugurated the concept of Miri-Piri which implied the union of the religious and secular leadership. Sikhs started maintained martial ethos and continued to concentrate on spiritual aims under the guidance of Guru Hargobind Sahib. Opposite the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, he constructed the Akal Takht, the Throne of the Timeless One, to represent the temporal authority of the Sikh community Guru Hargobind Sahib, also inaugurated the tradition of the Kirpan (sword), which signifies the duty of Sikhs to uphold virtue, and protect the helpless. He took the Sikh community and turned it into an army by making the Akali Dal which was a military group that was aimed at securing the Sikh interests and bringing justice. Guru Hargobind Sahib remained attached to the concept of justice, equality, and religious liberty despite the contrary beliefs of the Mughal emperors. He composed songs that talked about power, devotion and divine love of God that were eventually included in Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Hargobind Sahib passed away on March 3, 1644, in Kiratpur Sahib, Punjab thereby leaving a mark of strong, brave and spiritually fit legacy. He was the sixth Sikh Guru and was succeeded by his grandson Guru Har Rai Ji. The leadership of Guru Hargobind Sahib has laid the foundation of militarization of Sikh community besides reaffirming Sikh commitment to justice, freedom and human rights.
Guru Har Rai Ji (7th Sikh Guru)
Guru Har Rai Ji was born on January 16, 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib, Punjab, India; he was the seventh Guru of the Sikhs. He was the grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs and Mata Nanaki Ji. Guru Har Rai Ji was the seventh Sikh Guru, who took over after his grandfather, Guru Hargobind Sahib when he was just 14 years old. He was a leader who was characterized by his commitment to peace, compassion, and conservation of nature and wildlife. At Kiratpur Sahib he also extended the medicinal garden, which shows his concern in herbal medicine and treatment methods. During his Guruship, Guru Har Rai Ji made efforts to improve the spiritual and moral foundations of the Sikh community. He emphasized the importance of modesty, self-service and devotion to God. Guru Har Rai Ji also promoted education and opened schools to educate Sikh scriptures and philosophy. Guru Har Rai Ji was a nonviolent and diplomatic leader even in political turbulent times and external forces. He also participated actively in philanthropic activities by assisting the poor, and providing relief in cases of hunger and distress. Guru Har Rai Ji died on 6 October 1661 in Kiratpur Sahib. Ahead of his demise, he nominated his younger son Guru Har Krishan Ji as his successor who turned into the eighth Sikh Guru. The care and concern towards all creation, people and the environment, compassion and peaceful nature characterize the legacy of Guru Har Rai Ji. He is known as Guru who practiced humility and kindness and left an unforgettable impression on Sikhism and inspired his followers to lead a life of integrity and service.
Guru Har Krishan Ji (7th Sikh Guru)
Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji was the eighth Guru of Sikhism religion and was born July 7, 1656, in Kiratpur Sahib, Punjab, India. He was the younger son of Guru Har Rai Ji, the seventh Sikh Guru and Mata Krishan Kaur Ji. Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji was intelligent, spiritual, and compassionate even as a child. Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji was made the eighth Sikh Guru when he was just five years old, after his father, Guru Har Rai Ji. Even at a tender age, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji portrayed fantastic spiritual knowledge and leadership qualities. He also added to the legacy of his predecessors by stressing on devotion to God, humility and service to humanity. Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji moved a lot in his short Guruship period to deliver sermons and serve Sikhs. He ran around Indian subcontinue including Delhi where he provided religious teaching and solace to the population, especially during a small pox outbreak. The loving nature and the miracle of Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji earned him love and admiration amongst the Sikhs and the non-Sikhs. He is not forgotten as a selfless servant who dedicated his time to alleviating pain in other people. Unfortunately, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji contracted small pox and passed away on March 30, 1664 at the age of eight in Delhi. He chose his granduncle, Baba Bakala Ji (later Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji) to be his successor before he died making him the ninth Sikh Guru. The short, yet meaningful guruship of Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji left a mark of selflessness, devotion, and self-less service. He is a saint who is worshiped as a Guru and lived a life of selflessness and dedicated his own well being to others to display an example of humility and spiritual power to the Sikhs and humanity in general.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (9th Sikh Guru)
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the ninth Guru of Sikhism, was born April 1, 1621, in Amritsar, Punjab, India. He was given the name Tyag Mal by his parents, Guru Hargobind Sahib (the sixth Sikh Guru) and Mata Nanaki Ji. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji demonstrated a profound spiritual inclination and intelligence above his years from an early age. On March 20, 1665, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji became the ninth Sikh Guru, succeeding his grandnephew, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji. His Guruship occurred at a difficult time when the Mughal Empire, led by Emperor Aurangzeb, was becoming increasingly intolerant of religious pluralism and tried to convert non-Muslims(hindus) to Islam through force. He traveled to various parts of India, including Kashmir, Assam, and Bengal, promoting the values of equality, justice, and devotion to God. One of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s most courageous and selfless efforts was in favor of religious freedom. In 1675, he selflessly promised to safeguard the Kashmiri Pandits, who were being compelled to convert to Islam by Mughal officials. Despite the hazards, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji chose to face persecution and martyrdom rather than compromise his convictions. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was taken into custody in Delhi, along with his friends, and tortured and imprisoned. Despite the severe torture, he maintained his beliefs and refused to convert to Islam. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji died as a martyr in Delhi on November 11, 1675, after being beheaded on Emperor Aurangzeb’s orders. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’s martyrdom is a potent symbol of resistance to oppression and the defense of religious freedom. His sacrifice motivated the Sikh community and others to uphold the values of justice, tolerance, and compassion. His son, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, succeeded him as the tenth Sikh Guru, further strengthening the Sikh faith and community.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Sikh Guru)
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, born Gobind Rai on December 22, 1666, in Patna, Bihar, India, was the Sikhs’ tenth guru. His father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was killed when Gobind Rai was nine years old. This pivotal event had a profound impact on him and his future leadership. Guru Gobind Singh assumed the Guruship at a young age and served as both a spiritual leader and a military commander. He dedicated himself to defending the Sikh community from the oppressive Mughal regime and other adversaries. In 1699, he established the Khalsa, a warrior community dedicated to purity of action and intent. The “Five Ks” (Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera) were established during this period. This establishment was distinguished by the creation of the “Five Ks” (Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera, and Kirpan), which are symbols of faith and commitment for baptized Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh was a prolific author and poet. He wrote numerous works in Punjabi, Braj, and Persian, including the renowned Jaap Sahib, Benti Chaupai, and the Zafarnama, a letter to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. His writings and actions emphasized the value of justice, equality, and resistance to tyranny. Guru Gobind Singh was assassinated in Maharashtra’s Nanded in 1708. Before his death, he declared that the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s holy scripture, would become the Sikhs’ eternal Guru. This act provided continuity and spiritual guidance to the Sikh community. Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s legacy is monumental. He not only established the Khalsa as a symbol of Sikh identity, but he also advocated for social justice and resistance to oppression. His life and teachings continue to inspire millions all over the world.
Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Eternal guru)
The Guru Granth Sahib Ji, central to the Sikh faith, is regarded as the eternal Guru. Its origins can be traced back to the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who composed hymns conveying spiritual and moral truths. Successive Gurus, including Guru Angad Dev Ji and Guru Amar Das Ji, added their own hymns to this spiritual collection. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, took on the task of compiling these hymns into one scripture. In 1604, he compiled the Adi Granth, which included hymns from previous Gurus as well as those of saints and scholars from various religious traditions, including Hindu and Muslim beliefs. This inclusiveness emphasized the Sikh belief in the universality of divine truths. The Guru Granth Sahib is written in Gurmukhi script and contains 1,430 pages, or Angs. It is divided into musical measures, or Ragas, to emphasize the importance of music in Sikh worship and the belief that the divine can be felt through melody and rhythm. The Adi Granth was first installed in the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar in 1604, with Baba Buddha Ji acting as the first Granthi, or official reader. This installation marked a watershed moment in Sikh history, uniting the community around a single scripture. The final version of the Guru Granth Sahib was completed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, in 1706. He added his father’s hymns to the Adi Granth. Guru Gobind Singh established the Guru Granth Sahib as the everlasting spiritual guide for Sikhs and put an end to the line of human Gurus when he declared it to be the Guru before his death in 1708. The Guru Granth Sahib’s teachings place a strong emphasis on social justice, the oneness of God, equality of all people, and the value of leading an honest and truthful life. It encourages a direct and intimate relationship with the divine through devotion, meditation, and moral living, rejecting rituals, superstitions, and blind dogmas. There is the highest regard and reverence for the Guru Granth Sahib. It is frequently treated as a living sovereign and kept in a place of honor in Sikh Gurdwaras. Rituals include regular recitation, ceremonial coverings, and fans to keep it cool. It guarantees that the Sikh way of life is centered on its teachings by providing direction, inspiration, and consolation. The Guru Granth Sahib has an impact that is not limited to the Sikh people. Its universal message of equality, peace, and devotion to God never ceases to uplift seekers of spiritual wisdom and direction from a wide range of backgrounds.