LEADERS
Between 1469- 1708 there were 10 Sikh 'gurus' who each shared attributes to Sikhi, before Guru Granth Sahib became the eternal Guru
Guru Amar Das Ji:
Born-5 May 1479 (Amritsar, Punjab, India)
Birth name- Amardas
Died- 1 September 1574 (Goindval, India)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1552-1574
Parents- Tej Bahn (father), Mata Lachmi (mother)
Known for: Introducing the Anand Karaj and creating the Manji Sahib
Religious teaching- Equality
Guru Nanak Dev Ji:
Born- October 20th 1469 (Talwandi, Pakistan)
Birth name- Nanak
Died- September 22nd 1539 (Kartarpur, Pakistan)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1469-1532
Family- Mehta Kalu (father), Mata Tripta (mother), Bibi Nanaki (sister)
Known for: Founder of Sikhism
Religious teachings- Humility
At an early age Guru Ji showed great intelligence by learning Punjabi, Sanskrit and Persian. Guru Ji built early foundations of Sikh belief by rejecting Indian rituals and the caste system. From 1499, Guru Ji became well known for his four major journeys which spanned thousands of miles over 30 years. Accompanying him was Bhai Mardana, and on their journey they met several other religious leaders and Guru Ji spread the Divine Word of Waheguru. Before Guru Ji's passing he proclaimed Bhai Lehna as his successor and renamed him Guru Angad Dev Ji.
Guru Granth Sahib:
This is the official holy book of the Sikh religion which every Sikh meditates and learns from. The Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal Guru and there will be no further Guru Ji's. The holy scripture makes up 1430 Ang (pages), and was compiled of writings from the Sikh Guru's and several saints. Sikhs across the world recite and worship the holy book with the original copy being kept at Harmandir Sahib.
Guru Angad Dev Ji:
Born-31 March 1504 (Punjab, India)
Birth name- Bhai Lehna
Died-28 March 1552 (Khadur Sahib, India)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1539-1552
Parents- Pheru Mal (father), Mata Ramo (mother)
Known for: Establishing Gurmukhi
Religious teaching- Obedience
Guru Ram Das Ji:
Born- 9 October 1534 (Lahore, Pakistan)
Birth name- Bhai Jetha
Died- 1 September 1581 (Goindval, India)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1574-1581
Parents- Hari Das (father), Mata Anup Devi (mother)
Known for: Founder of Amritsar
Religious teaching- Service
Guru Arjan Dev Ji:
Born- 15 April 1563 (Goindval, India)
Birth name- Arjan
Died- 30 May 1606 (Lahore, Pakistan)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1581-1606
Parents- Guru Ram Das Ji (father), Mata Bhani (mother)
Known for- building Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), the first martyr of Sikhism, compiling the Adi Granth
Religious teaching- Self-sacrifice
Guru Hargobind Singh Ji:
Born-19 June 1595 (Amritsar, Punjab, India)
Birth name- Hargobind
Died- 3 March 1644 (Kiratpur, Punjab, India)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1606-1644
Parents- Guru Arjan Dev Ji (father), Mata Ganga (mother)
Known for- teaching Sikhs martial arts and military training, engaging in many battles, establishing Miri Piri and the Nishan Sahib, built the Akal Takhat
Religious teaching- Justice
Guru Har Rai Ji:
Born- January 16, 1630 (Kiratpur, Punjab, India)
Birth name- Har Rai
Died- October 6, 1661 (Kiratpur, Punjab, India)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1644–1661
Parents- Baba Gurdita (father),Mata Nihal Kaur (mother)
Known for- expanded the Manji system
Religious teaching- Mercy
Guru Har Krishan Ji:
Born- 23 July 1656 (Kiratpur, Punjab, India)
Birth name- Har Krishan
Died- 30 March 1664 (Delhi, India)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1656–1664
Parents- Guru Har Rai (father), Mata Krishen (mother)
Known for- Saved hundred of lives by curing a leper in a village
Religious teaching- Purity
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji:
Born- 1 April 1621 (Amritsar, India)
Birth name- Tyag Mal Khatri
Died- 24 November 1675 (Delhi, India)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1664–1675
Parents- Guru Har Gobind (father), Mata Nanaki (mother)
Known for- contributing to the Guru Granth Sahib, founder of Anandpur Sahib, resisted Hindu and Islam forces
Religious teaching- Tranquility
Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Born- 22 December 1666 (Patna, India)
Birth name- Gobind Rai
Died- 7 October 1708 (Nanded, India)
Period of being Guru Ji- 1675-1708
Family- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (father), Mata Gujri (mother)
Known for- creator of the Khalsa, wrote many Shabads, created a military brotherhood
Religious teaching- Royal courage
Gobind Rai became the tenth guru (at the tender age of 9) when his father Guru Tegh Bahadur passed away. Guru Ji had four children whom are entitled the Four Sahibzade: Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh, Fateh Singh. During Guru Ji's life he fought in many great battles such as the battle of Chamkaur. 7 days before Guru Ji's passing he announced that the eternal embodiment of Sikhi was the Guru Granth Sahib. Later, several disciples found Guru Ji's physical body in his tent along with his royal horse, Dilbagh.
