THE BIRTH OF SIKHISM (1469 - 1539) Guru Nanak Dev GURU NANAK DEV (1469 - 1539) Born in northern India By the age of 15 had studied Hinduism and Islam in depth Fluent in Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic He had a vision from god; " All are equal before the one God " He then started preaching, universality of humankind, the abolition of the caste system, equality and meditation on God's name 20 years of travelling throughout India, Persia and the Middle East Spoke in Punjabi (the language most recognised) Established LANGARS (community kitchens) to emphasise service to fellow human beings Salvation available to all through moral living and devotion to God

Guru Angad Dev GURU ANGAD DEV (1504 -1552) GURU 1539 - 1552 Chosen for his humility and discipleship Compiled hymns and teachings in written form Refined and finalised Punjabi alphabet (GURMUKHI SCRIPT) Gave Sikhs their own written language Opened more LANGARS Introduced physical fitness

Guru Amar Das GURU AMAR DAS (1479-1574) GURU 1552 - 1574 Developed Sikh ceremonies Rites of birth Marriage Death Furthered the equality of woman Fought against PURDAH (Isolation of woman) and SATI (burning of widows on their husbands' pyres) Encouraged widows to remarry

Guru Ram Dats GURU RAM DATS (1534 - 1581) GURU 1574 - 1581 Promoted missionary activities Set up treasury Founded the SACRED SAROVAR ( " Lake of Immortality " )

Guru Arjun Dev GURU ARJUN DEV (1563 -1606) GURU 1581 -1606 Organised building of the HARMANDIR in Amritsar (The Golden Temple) Out of respect for other religions asked a Muslim to lay the foundation stone Contributed a large volume of hymns to the holy scriptures Compiled the GRANTH SAHIB (Sikh scriptures) Martyred in 1606 by the emperor accused of treason

Guru Hargobind GURU HARGOBIND (1595 - 1644) GURU 1606 - 1644 Guru at eleven years old after his father Arjun died Wore 2 swords, representing spiritual and secular responsibility (A Sikh Tenet) Introduced a Pennant which became the Sikh flag: " THE NISHAN SAHIB " Built AKAL TAKHT (served as a Supreme Court ) across from the Golden Temple to guide Sikhs in temporal matters: an institution symbolising the protection of righteousness and the duty of self defence Reinforced the concept of Saint-Soldier

Guru Har Rai GURU HAR RAI (1630 - 1661) GURU 1644 - 1661 Emphasised free kitchens Organised many religious congregations Started a new organisation to preach in the land Saved the life of the emperor's son, showing forgiveness and kindness

Guru Hari Krishen GURU HARI KRISHEN (1656 - 1664) GURU 1661 - 1664 Guru at the age of 5; died at the age of 8 Served as a model for young children Teachings stressed obeying and acting on the advice of parents Served and healed thousands of poor and those suffering with cholera

Guru Tegh Bahadur GURU TEGH BAHADUR (1621 - 1675) GURU 1664 - 1675 Preached forgiveness as a virtue Martyred in 1675 for protecting Hindu's from religious persecution Taught respect for other religions

Guru Gobind Singh GURU GOBIND SINGH (1666 - 1708) GURU 1675 - 1708 A scholar, poet and warrior Combined all qualities of his predecessors Wrote many hymns collected in the DASAM GRANTH (the book of the 10th Guru) Created the KHALSA (brotherhood of true disciples) Instituted the 5K's of Sikhism Expanded and edited THE GRANTH SAHIB Decreed that there would be no more Guru's after him Transferred his spiritual authority to the GRANTH SAHIB, which known as the GURU GRANTH SAHIB

cont...