Sikh Gurus

Sikh gurus or the ten spiritual masters who were crucial for the growth of Sikhism over the span of 250 years (1469-1708). Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism was born in 1469, and was succeded by 9 other human gurus. In 1708, Guru Granth Sahib Ji was declared as the living guru by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Ten Gurus Of Sikhism

1) Guru Nanak Dev Ji - Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the founder of Sikhism and is the first of 10 sikh gurus. After enlightenment, Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled to far off places to spread the message of Ik Onkar (ੴ), which means that there is One God. Baba Nanak preached the message of oneness, equality and rejected the differentiation based on the caste system.

2) Guru Angad Dev Ji - Guru Nanak Dev Ji made Guru Angad his successor (2nd sikh guru). Guru Angad Dev Ji's original name was Bhai Lehna and he carried forward Guru Nanak's teachings and grew sikh community. Guru Angad sahib settled at Khadur Sahib, where devotees, yogis & saints of different religions visited him. Guru Angad Sahib formalised the present form of Gurumukhi script.

3) Guru Amardas Ji - Guru Amardas ji was appointed as the third sikh guru by Guru Angad Sahib Ji, at the age of 73. He was a devout Sikh, known for his humility (nimarta), sewa & simran. He spent most of his life at Goindwal Sahib that became an important center for the sikh community under his Guruship.

4) Guru Ramdas Ji - Guru Ramdas ji, also known as 4th Nanak was the son-in-law of Guru Amardas Ji. His birth name was Jetha and he accepted Guru Amardas as his mentor at a very young age of 12 years. Bhai Jetha did sewa (selfless service) and also accompanied Guru Amardas ji on religious pilgrimages. He is credited for the composition of "four Lawan hymns" in raag Suhi which are recited during the Anand Karaj ceremony. Guru Amardas ji thought Bhai Jetha to be worthy as next Sikh guru and was renamed as Guru Ramdas.

5) Guru Arjan Dev Ji - The 5th sikh guru and the youngest son of Guru Ramdas ji was Guru Arjan Dev ji. He was the first Sikh guru to be martyred and is also known by the name of Shaheedan-De-Sartaaj. Guru Arjan Dev ji built the Harmandir Sahib, compiled & collated the hymns of the previous four sikh gurus, 17 hindu bards & 2 muslim bards and laid the foundation of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

6) Guru Har Gobind Ji - Guru Hargobind ji became the sixth sikh guru after the matyrdom of his father Guru Arjan Dev ji. He introduced militarization in Sikhi, in order to protect the community. He is often revered to as "Miri Piri De Malik" as he used to wear two swords named miri (temporal power) and piri (spiritual authority). He constructed Akal Takht in front of Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib.

7) Guru Har Rai Ji - Guru Har Rai Ji was the grandson of the sixth guru (Guru Hargobind) and is revered to as 7th Nanak. He became 7th sikh guru at a very young age of 14 years. He continued the military traditions and maintained a huge army of sikh soldiers. He also established an Ayurvedic medicine hospital at Kiratpur Sahib.

8) Guru Har Krishan Ji - Guru Har Krishan Ji is the youngest of the sikh gurus. He was only 5 years old when he ascended to the throne. He is also revered to as Bala Pritam.

9) Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji - The 9th sikh guru was a poet & a warrior. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib is often revered to as Srishti-di-chadar & Hind-di-chadar as he gave up his life in order to protect the Kashmiri pandits & the opressed, so that they have the freedom to practice their own faith and religion.

10) Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Following the matyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, Guru Gobind Singh ji became the 10th sikh guru at a young age of 9 years. In 1699, he founded the sikh warrior community known as Khalsa. He was the author of Dasam Granth. He is also revered as Dashmesh Pita and 10th Nanak. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji proclaimed that the sikhs were to regard Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji as their next guru. Guru Sahib said that " Sab Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru manyo Granth" that translates to "All sikhs are commanded to regard Granth as Guru". Guru Granth Sahib ji is the 11th guru and the sikhs respect the holy granth as their eternal living guru (jugo jug atal).