The Ten Sikh Gurus – Life, Teachings & Legacy
The foundation and growth of Sikhism was shaped by a divine lineage of Ten Gurus over a period of about 239 years (1469–1708). Each Guru played a unique role in building the spiritual, social, and political fabric of Sikh Dharma.
1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 – 1539)
Birthplace: Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan)
Key Teachings:
There is One God for all (Ik Onkar)
Reject caste system and rituals
Promote equality, honest living, and service
Famous saying: “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim – all are children of God.”
Traveled far and wide (India, Arabia, Tibet) to spread his message
2. Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504 – 1552)
Birth Name: Bhai Lehna Ji
Chosen by Guru Nanak Dev Ji for his humility and devotion
Contribution:
Introduced Gurmukhi script, used to write Punjabi and the Guru Granth Sahib
Promoted physical fitness and community service
Organized Sikh teachings systematically
3. Guru Amar Das Ji (1479 – 1574)
Preached at age 72, after serving Guru Angad Dev Ji for years
Promoted:
Langar (community kitchen) – must be taken by all before meeting Guru
Women’s rights – against Sati, child marriage, and female discrimination
Set up 22 Manjis (missionary seats) to spread Sikh teachings
4. Guru Ram Das Ji (1534 – 1581)
Founded the city of Amritsar
Promoted Anand Karaj – the Sikh marriage ceremony
Wrote many Shabads (hymns) included in Guru Granth Sahib
Focused on community unity and spirituality
5. Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563 – 1606)
Compiled the Adi Granth – the first version of Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Built Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple)
Included hymns of Hindu and Muslim saints to show unity
First Sikh martyr – tortured to death by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for refusing to convert to Islam
6. Guru Hargobind Ji (1595 – 1644)
Started the concept of Miri-Piri: spiritual authority (piri) + temporal power (miri)
Wore two swords, symbolizing saint-soldier life
Built Akal Takht – throne of Sikh temporal authority
Imprisoned in Gwalior Fort – released with 52 Hindu kings (celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas)
7. Guru Har Rai Ji (1630 – 1661)
Known for kindness, healing, and environmental care
Established herbal dispensaries and medical care
Refused to bless Aurangzeb’s war against his brother Dara Shikoh
Promoted peaceful living and helping the sick
8. Guru Har Krishan Ji (1656 – 1664)
Became Guru at the age of 5 (youngest Guru)
Helped people during smallpox and cholera epidemic in Delhi
Healed people with water and blessings
Passed away at age 8; known as Bal Guru (Child Guru)
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi built in his memory
9. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621 – 1675)
Known as the Hind di Chadar (Shield of India)
Sacrificed his life to protect Kashmiri Pandits’ right to worship freely
Beheaded in Delhi by Aurangzeb for standing up against religious conversion
His son, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, witnessed his sacrifice at a young age
10. Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666 – 1708)
Last human Guru of Sikhism
Founded the Khalsa Panth on Vaisakhi in 1699
Introduced the Five Ks (Kesh, Kara, Kirpan, Kachera, Kanga)
Declared Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal Guru
Warrior, poet, philosopher – wrote Zafarnama to Aurangzeb
Lost all four sons (Sahibzade) in the struggle against injustice
Guru Granth Sahib Ji – The Eternal Guru
After Guru Gobind Singh Ji, there is no human Guru. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji was declared the final and eternal Guru of the Sikhs. It contains over 1,400 pages of divine hymns (Shabads) by the Sikh Gurus and other saints from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds.
- Religion World Bureau
