Introduction
The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who lived from 1469 to 1539 CE. He is regarded as one of the leading figures of the Bhakti Movement. Before his passing, Guru Nanak Ji appointed a successor, and this line of Gurus continued until 1708 CE. In that year, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, appointed the Adi Granth as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. This scripture, known as the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, is the integrated Sikh holy text.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji(1469-1539 CE)
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, was born on April 15, 1469, in Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, located 65 km southwest of Lahore in present-day Pakistan.
- His parents, Kalyan Chand Das Bedi and Mata Tripta, were Hindus from the merchant class.
- Guru Nanak was married to Sulakhni, the daughter of Moolchand, a village accountant. He had a sister named Bebe Nanaki, and two sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das.
- In Sultanpur, he started organizing the singing of hymns, sharing meals, and preaching about living a life of simplicity and honesty, with the help of his childhood friend Mardana, a Muslim minstrel.
- Guru Nanak traveled to various places, including Puri, Benaras, Haridwar, Rameshwaram, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Gaya, Kailash, Mecca, Medina, and Baghdad.
- During his time, the Mughal Emperors were Babur and Humayun.
- One of his devoted disciples, Lehna, was appointed as the next Guru and given the name Angad. Guru Nanak passed away on September 7, 1539.
- Guru Nanak's main contributions included four journeys (Udasis) to awaken people to the truth about God and introduce Sikhism, establishing a network of preaching centers called Manjis, founding the village of Kartarpur and initiating the practices of Langar, Sangat, and Guruship.
- He emphasized the importance of service to mankind (sewa), singing hymns (kirtan), spiritual gatherings (satsang), and faith in one supreme God.
- Guru Nanak composed 974 hymns, including Japji Sahib, Asa di Var, Bara Mah, Sidh Gosht, and Onkar.
Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- Belief in One God: Guru Nanak taught that there is only one God who is the creator of all beings and things. God is eternal, infinite, and present everywhere.
- Hukam: The entire creation relies on Hukam, which is God's will. It is our duty to understand this will and live our lives accordingly.
- Haumai: Haumai, or the sense of 'I-am-ness', is the root cause of all sufferings. It leads to desires like lust, anger, greed, attachment, and pride. We must overcome Haumai by understanding Hukam, or God's will.
- Nam Japna: The love for God is experienced through chanting His holy name, known as Nam Jap.
Guru Nanak's Teachings
- The Guru is the teacher, guide, and instructor who leads individuals towards God.
- Nadar refers to the moment when, by God's grace, a person realizes the truth and attains liberation.
- Sewa, which includes Kirat Karni (earning an honest living), Wand Chakna (sharing with others), and Nam Japna (remembering God's name), was emphasized by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
- Casteless Society. Guru Nanak Dev Ji advocated for a society without castes, believing that all people are God's creation. He initiated the practice of Guru Ka Langar, a free community kitchen where everyone, regardless of caste, could eat together.
Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504-1552 CE)
- Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Guru, was born on March 31, 1504, in the village of Matte di Sarai (now Sarai Naga) in the Muktsar district of Punjab. His father, Bhai Peru, was a trader.
- He was married to Bibi Khivi and had three children: two sons, Dasu and Datu, and a daughter, Amaro.
- Guru Angad Dev Ji became a disciple of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who appointed him as his successor in 1539. He served as Guru for 13 years, from 1539 until his death in 1552.
- In 1540, Mughal Emperor Humayun visited Guru Angad Dev Ji seeking blessings for the recovery of his throne after being defeated by Sher Shah Suri.
- Guru Angad Dev Ji chose Amar Das, a Khatri from the Bhalla sub-caste, as his successor. He founded the city of Khadur Sahib, located in the present-day Tarn Taran district.
- Guru Angad Dev Ji introduced the Gurmukhi Script, a modified version of the old Punjabi script. He also collected information about Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life from Bhai Bala Ji, a companion of Guru Nanak, and wrote the first biography of Guru Nanak, known as Bhai Bale Wali Janam Sakhi.
- He initiated the Mal Akhara tradition, which involved physical and spiritual exercises, and expanded the Guru Ka Langar institution started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Guru Amar Das Ji (1479-1574 CE)
- Guru Amar Das Ji was the third Guru in the line of ten Gurus, born on May 5, 1479, in Amritsar. His parents were Tej Bhan and Bakht Kaur.
- He married Mansa Devi and had two sons, Mohri and Mohan, and two daughters, Dani and Bhani.
- Guru Amar Das Ji set up his headquarters in the newly established town of Goindwal. There, he built a sacred well with 84 steps, which became a holy site for Sikhs.
- Before passing away in 1574, he appointed Bhai Jetha, his son-in-law, as his successor.
- He organized the Sikh community into 22 preaching centres (Manjis) during the Mughal Emperor Akbar's reign.
- Guru Amar Das Ji continued the tradition of Guru Ka Langar (community kitchen) and made it mandatory for visitors, including Emperor Akbar.
- He advocated for social reforms, such as opposing sati (widow burning), promoting widow remarriage, and encouraging women to abandon the purdah (veil) system.
- He contributed to the Adi Granth Sahib by writing and compiling hymns into a book.
- Guru Amar Das Ji established Sikh rituals for baby naming, weddings (Anand Karj), and funerals. Anand Karj is a 40-stanza hymn sung at Sikh religious occasions.
- He introduced the celebrations of Diwali, Maghi, and Baisakhi festivals.
- Guru Amar Das Ji also founded Sikh pilgrimage centres and selected the site for the Golden Temple.
Guru Ram Das Ji (1534-1581 CE)
- Guru Ram Das Ji was the fourth Guru of Sikhism, born on September 24, 1534, in Lahore, to a Sodhi family. His father was Hari Das, and his mother was Daya Kaur. Before becoming Guru, he was known as Jetha.
- He married Bibi Bhani and had three sons: Prithvi Chand, Mahadev, and Arjan Dev. In 1574, he succeeded Guru Amar Das Ji and led the Sikh community until his death in 1581.
- Gurdwara Guriai Asthan in Goindwal Sahib marks the place where Guru Ram Das Ji was appointed as Guru. After becoming Guru, he moved to the site of a tank dug by Emperor Akbar, granted to his wife, and began building a town around it, which later became known as Amritsar.
- Guru Ram Das Ji established Manjis (spiritual councils) in various parts of India to unite Sikh congregations and appointed Masands (pastors) to spread Guru Nanak’s teachings. He was also a talented poet, composing 638 hymns in three different ragas, which are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. His notable compositions include the Lavan, a hymn for Sikh marriages, and Ghorian, sung on days leading up to a wedding.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606 CE)
Early Life and Background:
- Born on April 15, 1563, at Goindwal Sahib.
- Son of Guru Ram Das Ji and Bibi Bhani.
Family:
- Married to Mata Ganga.
- Father of Har Gobind.
Historical Context:
- Khusrau, son of Jahangir, sought Guru Arjan's blessings at Goindwal on his way to Lahore.
- Guru Arjan Dev Ji died on May 30, 1606, becoming the first Sikh martyr.
Contributions:
- Philosopher and Poet: Known for his deep philosophical thoughts and prolific poetry.
- Founder of Harmandir Sahib: Built the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, symbolizing the liberal character of Sikhism.
- Adi Granth: Compiled the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of Sikhism, containing hymns from previous Gurus and saints.
- Town Founder: Established the towns of Tarn Taran (1590) and Kartarpur (1594).
- Reformer: Addressed as Sachcha Badshah (the True Emperor) for his reformative efforts.
- Composer: Composed Sukmani Sahib, a devotional poem known as the Psalm of Peace.
- Rebuilder: Reconstructed the village of Ruhela on the Beas River, renaming it Sri Hargobindpur.
- Fundraiser: Raised funds for building temples and cities through Daswandh, a donation system.
Guru Har Gobind Ji (1595-1644 CE)
- Guru Har Gobind Ji, the sixth Guru, was born on June 19, 1595, in Wadali village, Amritsar. He was the only son of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Mata Ganga. Guru Har Gobind Ji became Guru at the young age of eleven after his father was martyred by the Mughal ruler Jahangir.
- Guru Har Gobind Ji had three wives: Mata Damodari, Mata Marvahi, and Mata Nanaki. He also had five sons: Gurditta, Ani Rai, Suraj Mal, Atar Rai, and Tegh Bahadur, and one daughter, Bibi Viro.
- Guru Har Gobind Ji is known for introducing the concepts of 'miri' (temporal power) and 'piri' (spiritual power), symbolized by the two swords he wore. He adopted a warrior-like demeanor, surrounded himself with 52 armed Sikh bodyguards, and emphasized the need for military readiness among Sikhs.
- In 1609, he constructed the Akal Takht in front of the Harmandir Sahib, which became a center for preaching, prayer, and justice. He also built the Lohgarh fortress to protect Amritsar.
- One of the significant events during his leadership was the release of 52 prisoners from Gwalior Fort, earning him the title 'Bandichhor' (deliverer). His return to Amritsar on Diwali Day after his imprisonment led to the celebration of Bandi Chhor Diwas by Sikhs.
- Guru Har Gobind Ji's leadership marked the Sikhs as a political and military force. After a battle with Shah Jahan in 1634, he moved to Kiratpur, where he spent the rest of his life. He appointed Har Rai, the son of Gurditta, as his successor and passed away on March 3, 1644, in Kiratpur.
Guru Har Rai Ji (1630-1661 CE)
- Guru Har Rai Ji was the seventh Guru and the grandson of Guru Har Gobind Ji. He was born on January 16, 1630, to Baba Gurditta and Mata Ananti.
- He married Sulakhni and had two sons, Ram Rai and Har Kishan. He also had a son named Phul, who later became the founder of Patiala, Nabha, and Jind.
- Guru Har Rai Ji is known for maintaining a large army of Sikh soldiers but was determined to avoid confrontation and live in peace. He established three missions called Bakhshishes and appointed disciples like Bhagwan Gir, Bhai Pheru, and Suthre Shah to preach these missions in different regions.
- He blessed Dara Shikoh, which was disliked by Aurangzeb. Before his death on October 6, 1661, at Kiratpur, he chose his younger son, Guru Har Krishan Ji, to be his successor.
Guru Har Krishan Ji (1656-1664 CE)
Early Life
- Guru Har Krishan Ji was born on July 7, 1656, in Kiratpur.
- He was the son of Guru Har Rai Ji and Mata Sulakhni.
Child Prodigy
- Known as the Child Prophet (Bala Pir), he had a unique talent for interpreting Sikh teachings.
- His commentaries brought joy to his disciples.
Visit to Delhi
- Guru Har Krishan Ji visited Delhi and stayed at the home of Raja Jai Singh Raisina, now known as Bangla Sahib.
- At that time, Aurangzeb was the Mughal Emperor.
Succession
- Before his death, Guru Har Krishan Ji chose Baba Bakala (Guru Tegh Bahadur), an older man from the village of Bakala, as his successor instead of his own sons.
Death
- Guru Har Krishan Ji passed away on March 30, 1664, in Delhi due to smallpox, before he could reach his eighth birthday.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-1675 CE)
Early Life and Background
- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth of the ten Sikh Gurus, was born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar. He was the youngest son of Guru Har Gobind Ji.
- After his father's passing, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji settled in Bakala and led a life of spirituality and holiness.
Family Life
- He married Gujari and they had a son named Gobind Das.
Succession and Leadership
- Before his death, Guru Har Krishan Ji appointed Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as his successor.
- Following Guru Har Krishan Ji's demise, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji accepted the leadership of the Sikh community.
Martyrdom
- On November 11, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was executed by Jalal-ud-din, who beheaded him with an axe.
- After his execution, his dismembered body was cremated by Lakhi Shah Lubana at his cottage, which is now known as Gurdwara Rikab Ganj.
- His severed head was cremated by Guru Gobind Ji at Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Anandpur Sahib.
Founding of Sri Anandpur Sahib
- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji purchased land from the Raja of Bilaspur, near Makhowal village on the banks of the river Sutlej, and founded a new town called Chak Nanaki.
- This town was later renamed Sri Anandpur Sahib in 1665.
Preaching and Sacrifice
- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji travelled extensively to spread the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
- He sacrificed his life for the cause of righteousness and the freedom of Dharma (religion) on November 11, 1675.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, born on December 22, 1666, in Patna, Bihar, was the tenth and final Guru of the Sikhs. He was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Mata Gujari. At the young age of nine, following his father’s death, he became the Guru. To escape conflicts with the Rajputs of Shivalik, he moved from Anandpur to the Nahan hills, where he established Paonta Sahib along the banks of the Yamuna River, constructing a fort and building an army for the city’s defense.
Early Contributions
- In 1684, Guru Gobind Singh Ji composed ‘Var Sri Bhagauti Ji ki’ and wrote autobiographical works such as ‘Bachitra Natak’, ‘Akal Ustat’, and ‘Chandi di Var’.
- In 1698, he abolished the Masand system, creating a direct connection with his Sikhs, whom he called Khalsa.
The Birth of Khalsa
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji is credited with popularizing the term "Khalsa," although it was first mentioned by Guru Har Gobind Ji. On March 30, 1699, during Baisakhi, he established the Khalsa, meaning "The Pure One," by introducing the Khande di Pahul initiation rite.
- This event unified the Sikh community and involved the baptism of five individuals known as the Panj Pyare, who were given the surname "Singh" and instructed to wear the Five Ks.
The Five K’s
- Kesh: Sikhs are to let their hair and beard grow long, as a sign of respect for God’s creation. This uncut hair is a main emblem for Sikhs.
- Kanga: Khalsas should carry a comb to keep their hair tidy, symbolizing cleanliness.
- Karra: An iron bracelet worn on the right wrist symbolizes the bond between God and the Sikh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji commanded Sikhs to wear a Kara at all times, representing the unbreakable link with the Guru and among Khalsa members.
Five K's
- Kesh: Uncut hair, symbolizing spirituality and respect for God's creation.
- Kara:. steel bracelet, representing restraint from wrongdoing and the unity of God.
- Kanga:. wooden comb, signifying cleanliness and discipline.
- Kachha:. knee-length undergarment, symbolizing moral character and readiness for duty.
- Kirpan:. ceremonial sword, representing the duty to protect the weak and uphold justice.
After Aurangzeb's death, Guru Gobind Singh Ji supported Bahadur Shah's claim to the Mughal throne. In gratitude, the new emperor invited Guru Ji to Delhi for a meeting. However, tensions remained high, and Guru Ji faced assassination attempts.
In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji was fatally attacked in Nanded by two Pathans sent by Wazir Khan, the Subedar of Sirhind. Before his death, Guru Ji designated the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs, ending the line of human Gurus. This sacred text, known as the 'Guru Granth Sahib Ji,' became the spiritual leader of the Sikh community.
Zafarnama: A Letter by Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The Zafarnama is a letter penned by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. In this correspondence, Guru Ji denounces Aurangzeb's oppressive and communal policies. He labels the Emperor an "oath-breaker," accusing him of tyranny and asserting that ultimately, victory will belong to Guru Ji.