History of Ten Sikh Gurus

The Sikh Gurus were spiritual leaders who played a pivotal role in founding and developing the Sikh religion in South Asia between the 15th and 18th centuries. Their teachings and legacy have had a profound impact on the Sikh community, shaping their beliefs and practices to this day. The ten Sikh Gurus were instrumental in promoting the belief in one God, emphasizing the importance of living an honest and ethical life, promoting social equality and inclusivity, and establishing key institutions such as the langar and the Golden Temple.

Interesting Facts About Ten Sikh Gurus

The Sikh religion is a monotheistic faith founded by Guru Nanak. The Sikh Gurus played a crucial role in shaping the beliefs and practices of the Sikh community. There were ten Sikh Gurus in total, each contributing unique teachings and making significant contributions to the Sikh faith.

Guru	Time Period	Related Facts
Guru Nanak	1469-1539	He was the first Guru of the Sikhs. He was born in 1469 AD at a place called Talwandi in Punjab. His mother’s name was Tripta and his father’s name was Kaluji.  His wife’s name was Sulakhani. His title was “Hazrat Rabbul Majeez”. He was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi.  Guru Nanak made his disciple Lahna his successor.  Lahna became the second Guru of the Sikhs by the name of Angad.  Guru Nanak died in 1539 AD in Kartarpur (Pakistan)
Angad	1539-1552	He was a disciple of Guru Nanak and was a Khatri by caste. Angad established the Guru Gaddi at Khadur.  He regularized the langar system run by Guru Nanak.  Guru Angad also invented the Gurmukhi script.
Amardas	1552-1574	He was a contemporary of Akbar.  Amardas established his throne in Goindwal.  Emperor Akbar himself had come to Goindwal to meet them.  Akbar had given some land in the name of Bibibhani, daughter of Amardas.  Amardas made his son-in-law and disciple Ramdas his successor.
Ramdas	1574-1581	He was a contemporary of Emperor Akbar and son-in-law of Amardas.  Emperor Akbar gave him 500 bighas of land.  On this land, Ramdas built a city named Amritsar.  His disciples are called Ramdasi. Ramdas made the post of Guru paternal by appointing his third son Arjuna as his successor.
Arjan Dev	1581-1606	He is also called the true king.  He built ponds named Amritsar and Santokhsar in Ramdaspur.  In the middle of Amritsar pond, “Harmandir Sahib” was built in 1589 AD.  Its foundation stone was laid by Saint Mian Mir of Qadri sect.  Arjan Dev built a city named Tarn Taran and Kartarpur.  In 1595 AD, he established a city named Govindpur on the banks of the river Beas.  They started taking compulsory spiritual taxes. He asked his disciples to give 1/10 of their income to the Guru.  In 1604 AD, Arjan Dev composed “Adi Granth”.  Emperor Jahangir sentenced him to death in 1606 A.D. for his aid to the Mughal prince Khusrau.
Hargovind	1606-1645	He introduced military education to the Sikhs and ordered them to bear arms.  He did the work of converting the Sikhs into a fighting caste.  He fortified the city of Amritsar and built a 12 feet high “Akaltakht” here.  Emperor Jahangir imprisoned him in Gwalior fort for two years.  He established a city called Kiratpur in Kashmir.
Harrai	1645-1661	It was during his time that the war of succession started among the sons of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. After the defeat of Samugarh, Darashikoh came to meet them. He made his 6-year-old son Harkrishan his successor.
Harkrishan	1661-1664	He died of smallpox.  He made his successor Tegh Bahadur.
Tegh Bahadur	1664-1675	He was the son of Hargobind. He established his throne in Makhowali.  He was executed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1675 AD.
Guru Gobind Singh	1708-1716	He was the last (10th) Guru of the Sikhs.  He was born in 1666 AD in Patna (Bihar).  He established the city of Anandpur near Makhowal and established his throne here.  He wrote books named Krishna Avatar and Chandidivar.  The name of his autobiography is “Vichitra Natak”.  He established four forts Anandgarh, Keshgarh, Lohagarh and Fatehgarh.  Govind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699 AD