In this article, we are discussing about 10 Sikh Gurus and their contributions. This is an important topic from exam point of view for upcoming exams including IB ACIO, SSC CGL/ CHSL/ MTS/ GD Constable.
Sikhism: Introduction
Sikhism is derived from Sikh, ‘Sikh’ is a Sanskrit word which means ‘disciple’. The era of Sikhism started in 1469, through birth of Guru Nanak Dev in 1469 and ended in human form with the death of Guru Govind Singh in 1708. We have provided the complete list and details of 10 Gurus along with the tricks to remember them.
Complete List 10 Sikh Gurus
Guru Nanak Dev (1469 - 1539)
- He was the first of all the gurus of Sikh, he founded the Sikh religion, introducing the concept of one God
- He started the Guru Ka Langar. As per Sikh religion, langar is a term that refers to a common kitchen/ community kitchen where food is served to everyone for free without any discrimination of caste, religion, color, gender, and class
- He was contemporary of Babur (Mughal Emperor)
- He put emphasis on the equality of women and rejected the path of renunciation
- His teachings are composed in Adi Granth or Granth Sahib.
Guru Angad (1538 - 1552)
- He was the second of all Gurus
- Invented a new script called Guru-Mukhi viz. written form of Punjabi script
- Played an instrumental role in the popularization and expansion of the system of Guru ka Langar
Guru Amardas (1552 - 1574)
- He introduced the Anand Karaj Marriage ceremony for Sikhs, which was done to replace the Hindu form
- Strengthened Guru ka Langar tradition
- Established the Piri and Maji system of religious mission for women and men, respectively
- Abolished the custom of Sati and Purdah system among the Sikhs
- He was contemporary of Akbar (Mughal Emperor)
Guru Ramdas (1574 - 1581)
- He was the fourth Guru of all Gurus
- Founded Amritsar in 1577 on the land granted by Akbar
- Started the construction of Golden Temple/ Swarna Mandir at Amritsar
- He requested Mian Mir (Muslim Sufi) to lay the cornerstone of Harmandir Sahib
Guru Arjun Dev (1581 - 1606)
- Composed Adi Granth in 1604. Adi Granth is a scripture of Sikhs
- Completed the construction of Golden Temple/ Sri Darbar Sahib
- Founded the town of Tarn Taran Sahib which is Goindwal Sahib
- Executed by Jahangir on charges of helping prince Khusrau with money and prayer
- He was acclaimed as Shaheedan-de-Sartaj (The crown of martyrs)
Guru Hargovind (1606 - 1645)
- Son of Guru Arjan Dev
- Transformed the Sikh into a military community. He was known as ‘Soldier Saint’
- He wages wars against Jahangir and Shah Jahan (Mughal Emperors)
- Established Akal Takht and fortified Amritsar
Guru Har Rai (1645 - 1661)
- He avoided any conflict with Aurangzeb (Mughal Emperor) and devoted most of his efforts to missionary work
- Though he was a man of peace, however, he never disbanded the armed Sikh warriors
- He gave shelter to Shah Jahan eldest son, Dara Shikoh, who was later tormented by Aurangzeb
Guru Har Kishan (1661 - 1664)
- He was the youngest of all Sikh Gurus. He was given the title of Guru at the age of five
- He was summoned to Delhi by Aurangzeb under framed charges of anti-Islamic blasphemy
Guru Teg Bahadur (1664 - 1675)
- He established the town of Anandpur
- He was executed at Delhi by Aurangazeb for not embracing Islam.
- He called himself "Sachcha Badshah"
Guru Govind Singh (1675 - 1708)
- He was son of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He became Guru after the martyrdom of his father
- He founded a warrior community known as Khalsa in 1699. Under Khalsa, he changed Sikhs into a saint-soldier for protecting themselves
- Introduced a new rite "Pahul"
- He made his headquarter at Makhowal or Anandpur. He compiled a supplementary Granth
- He joined Bahadur Shah's camp as a noble
- He was the last Sikh Guru in human form and he passed the Guruship of Shiks to the Guru Granth Sahib
TRICK To Remember Sikh Gurus Name and Order
Nanak Angdan kr Amar ho Ram ke pass chale gaye lekin Arjun ne Govind ki Rai li or kitni baduri se Kudh Govind ban gaye.
- Guru Nanak (1469 - 1538)
- Guru Angad (1538 - 1552)
- Guru Amardas (1552 - 1574)
- Guru Ramdas (1574 - 1581)
- Guru Arjundev (1581 - 1606)
- Guru Hargovind (1606 - 1645)
- Guru Har Rai (1645 - 1661)
- Guru Har Kishan (1661 - 1664)
- Guru Teg Bahadur (1664 - 1675)
- Guru Govind Singh (1675 - 1708)
