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Sikh gurus

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The Sikh gurus were spiritual masters who helped build the Sikh religion. This work happened over about two hundred and fifty years. It all began with the birth of 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

The word guru comes from a Sanskrit term. It can mean a teacher, a guide, or an expert. One person named Bhai Vir Singh explained the word in a special way. He said it combines two parts. One part means darkness and the other means light.

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

This means a guru is someone who brings light into the dark.

Followers of the Sikh faith have a special bond with their teachers. The word Sikh comes from a Sanskrit word for a student or disciple. This shows that Sikhs are students of the gurus. Many Sikhs believe all the gurus shared the same light or soul. They thought the physical body was just a vessel for this light.

Painting of Guru Amar Das leaning against a bolster whilst seated on a raised platform on a terrace with a fly-whisk attendant
Painting of Guru Amar Das leaning against a bolster whilst seated on a raised platform on a terrace with a fly-whisk attendant

When one guru passed away, the next one inherited that same light. Because of this, people sometimes call the gurus mahalla, which means house. This connection keeps the teachings strong through many generations.

There were ten human gurus in a long line of leaders. The first was Guru Nanak, born in Nankana Sahib in 1469.

Miniature painting of Guru Ram Das seated outdoors on carpet underneath a tree with a book before him
Miniature painting of Guru Ram Das seated outdoors on carpet underneath a tree with a book before him

He was the son of Kalyan Das Bedi and Mata Tripta. Later, Guru Arjan became the fifth guru in 1563. He lived in Amritsar and founded several new settlements. Some gurus faced very hard times during their lives. For example, Guru Arjan and Guru Tegh Bahadur were both executed by Mughal Emperors. Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth human guru. He lived in places like Anandpur Sahib and Patna Sahib.

Each guru helped grow the faith in different places.

Contemporary painting of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind. Provincial Mughal school, Deccan, mid-17th century
Contemporary painting of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind. Provincial Mughal school, Deccan, mid-17th century

Guru Nanak started his work in Kartarpur. Guru Angad moved the center to Khadur Sahib. Guru Amar Das founded Goindwal. Guru Ram Das established the place we now call Amritsar. Guru Hargobind later founded Kiratpur in 1634.

Painting of Guru Har Rai holding a flower, Pahari style, painted by a Muslim, artwork preserved by the family of Bidhi Chand Chhina
Painting of Guru Har Rai holding a flower, Pahari style, painted by a Muslim, artwork preserved by the family of Bidhi Chand Chhina

Guru Tegh Bahadur founded Anandpur in 1664. These leaders helped create many towns and homes across the land. Their lives were spread across places like Punjab, Delhi, and Bihar.

In 1708, a big change happened for the guruship. The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, passed the role to a holy book.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Nishan
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Nishan

This book is called the Guru Granth Sahib. It is the central scripture for all Sikhs. Followers see this book as the living Guru today. It serves as a permanent guide for everyone in the faith.

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
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

Some people also look to the Guru Panth for guidance. This is a group known as the Khalsa. The Khalsa was started in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib.

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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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