Growth of the Sikh community

Political advancement

Philosophy and teachings

Pursuing salvation

The ten gurus and religious authority

Scripture

Representation

Observances and ceremonies

Ceremonies and customs

Baptism and the Khalsa

Sikhs in World Wars

The ten gurus and religious authority

A rare Tanjore style painting from the late 19th century depicting the ten Sikh Gurus with Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana. The term guru comes from the Sanskrit gurū, meaning teacher, guide or mentor. The traditions and philosophy of Sikhism were established by ten specific gurus from 1507 to 1708. Each guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak Dev was the first guru and appointed a disciple as successor. Guru Gobind Singh was the final guru in human form. Before his death, Gobind Singh decreed that the Gurū Granth S�hib would be the final and perpetual guru of the Sikhs.[11] # Name Date of Birth Guruship on Date of Death Age 1 Nanak Dev 15 April 1469 20 August 1507 22 September 1539 69 2 Angad Dev 31 March 1504 7 September 1539 29 March 1552 48 3 Amar Das 5 May 1479 26 March 1552 1 September 1574 95 4 Ram Das 24 September 1534 1 September 1574 1 September 1581 46 5 Arjan Dev 15 April 1563 1 September 1581 30 May 1606 43 6 Har Gobind 19 June 1595 25 May 1606 28 February 1644 48 7 Har Rai 16 January 1630 3 March 1644 6 October 1661 31 8 Har Krishan 7 July 1656 6 October 1661 30 March 1664 7 9 Teg Bahadur 1 April 1621 20 March 1665 11 November 1675 54 10 Gobind Singh 22 December 1666 11 November 1675 7 October 1708 41 After Guru Nanak Dev's passing, the most important phase in the development of Sikhism came with the third successor, Guru Amar Das. Guru Nanak Dev's teachings emphasised the pursuit of salvation; Guru Amar Das began building a cohesive community of followers with initiatives such as sanctioning distinctive ceremonies for birth, marriage and death. Guru Amar Das also established the manji (comparable to a diocese) system of clerical supervision. [10]
The interior of the Akal Takht. Guru Amar Das's successor and son-in-law Ram Das founded the city of Amritsar, which is home of the Harimandir Sahib and regarded widely as the holiest city for all Sikhs. When Guru Ram Das's youngest son Guru Arjun Dev succeeded him, the line of male gurus from the Sodhi Khatri family was established: all succeeding gurus were direct descendants of this line. Guru Arjun Dev was responsible for compiling the Sikh scriptures. Guru Arjun Dev was captured by Mughal authorities who were suspicious and hostile to the religious order he was developing.[12] His persecution and death inspired his successors to promote a military and political organisation of Sikh communities to defend themselves against the attacks of Mughal forces. The Sikh gurus established a mechanism which allowed the Sikh religion to react as a community to changing circumstances. The sixth guru, Guru Har Gobind Sahib, was responsible for the creation of the Akal Takht (throne of the timeless one) which serves as the supreme decision-making centre of Sikhdom and sits opposite the Harimandir Sahib. The Sarbat Ḵẖ�ls� (a representative portion of the Khalsa Panth) historically gathers at the Akal Takht on special festivals such as Vaisakhi or Diwali and when there is a need to discuss matters that affect the entire Sikh nation. A gurmat� (literally, guru's intention) is an order passed by the Sarbat Ḵẖ�ls� in the presence of the Gurū Granth S�hib. A gurmat� may only be passed on a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion; it is binding upon all Sikhs.[13] The term hukamn�m� (literally, edict or royal order) is often used interchangeably with the term gurmat�. However, a hukamn�m� formally refers to a hymn from the Gurū Granth S�hib which is given as an order to Sikhs.