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Sikh gurus

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Sikhism began with Guru Nanak in 1469.

Detail of Guru Nanak from the earliest known painting of all ten Sikh gurus together, with each being identified in golden Persian nasta'liq script, probably painted in Hyderabad, circa 1780
Detail of Guru Nanak from the earliest known painting of all ten Sikh gurus together, with each being identified in golden Persian nasta'liq script, probably painted in Hyderabad, circa 1780

He was the first of ten human gurus. These gurus were spiritual masters. They led the faith for about 250 years. The word guru means a teacher or a guide. Some say it means bringing light into darkness.

Painting of Guru Angad, possibly from an illustrated manuscript of the Gulgashat-i-Punjab
Painting of Guru Angad, possibly from an illustrated manuscript of the Gulgashat-i-Punjab

Sikhs are students of these teachers. Many Sikhs believe all the gurus had the same soul. This soul was like a light passed from one to the next.

In 1708, the tenth guru passed the role to a holy book. This book is the Guru Granth Sahib.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Nishan
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Nishan

It is the living guru for the Sikh faith. The book serves as a guide for all followers. Some people also look to the Guru Panth for guidance. This is a group called the Khalsa. The Khalsa was started by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The gurus lived in many places like Punjab and Delhi. They built many new towns and homes along the way.

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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:Detail of Guru Nanak from the earliest known painting of all ten Sikh gurus together, with each being identified in golden Persian nasta'liq script, probably painted in Hyderabad, circa 1780.jpg
Detail of Guru Nanak from the earliest...
File:Painting of Guru Angad, possibly from an illustrated manuscript of the Gulgashat-i-Punjab.jpg
Painting of Guru Angad, possibly from an...
File:Painting of Guru Amar Das leaning against a bolster whilst seated on a raised platform on a terrace with a fly-whisk attendant.jpg
Painting of Guru Amar Das leaning against...
File:Miniature painting of Guru Ram Das seated outdoors on carpet underneath a tree with a book before him.jpg
Miniature painting of Guru Ram Das seated...
File:Guru Arjan painting.jpg
Guru Arjan painting.jpg
File:Contemporary painting of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind. Provincial Mughal school, Deccan, mid-17th century.jpg
Contemporary painting of the sixth Sikh...
File:Painting of Guru Har Rai holding a flower, Pahari style, painted by a Muslim, artwork preserved by the family of Bidhi Chand Chhina.jpg
Painting of Guru Har Rai holding a...
File:Guru Har Krishan painting.jpg
Guru Har Krishan painting.jpg
File:Guru teg bahadur.jpg
Guru teg bahadur.jpg
File:Equestrian portrait of Guru Gobind Singh.png
Equestrian portrait of Guru Gobind Singh.png
File:Painting of the establishment of the Khalsa order and Panj Piare institution by Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Jito at Anandpur in 1699, circa 19th century.jpg
Painting of the establishment of the...
File:Sri Guru Granth Sahib Nishan.jpg
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Nishan.jpg

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