- Sikhism was established by ten prophet-teachers called Gurus over the period 1469 to 1708. Each Guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous one, resulting in the creation of Sikhism.
- First Guru of the Sikhs. Founder of Sikhism.
- Preached the equality of all humans.
- The langar or free kitchen was started by Guru Nanak.
- Travelled extensively throughout India and foreign lands to spread his message.
- There are 947 hymns from Guru Nanak Dev included in the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book).
- Born in Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib.
- Compiled the biography of Guru Nanak Dev, known as the Janam Sakhi.
- Introduced Gurmukhi script and encouraged people to learn Punjabi.
- There are 63 hymns from Guru Angad Dev included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
- He encouraged the use of the langar to carry on the tradition, started by Guru Nanak, of communal eating.
- Guru Amar Das not only preached the equality of people but also tried to foster the idea of women’s equality.
- Founded the city of Amritsar in 1574.
- Amritsar, literally meaning “the pool of nectar”, was gifted by the Mughal Emperor Akbar to Guru Ramdas.
- The standard Sikh marriage ceremony, known as the Anand Karaj, is based on the Lawan, a four-stanza hymn composed by Guru Ram Das.
- Guru Arjan was the fifth Guru and the youngest son of Guru Ram Das. He built the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) at Amritsar in the middle of the lake constructed by the fourth Guru.
- Compiled the Guru Granth Sahib in 1604.
- Started the practice of daswandh (tithe) — contributing one tenth of one’s earnings for community purposes.
- Guru Arjan was the first Sikh martyr.
- Transformed the Sikhs by introducing martial arts and weapons for the defence of the masses.
- Guru Hargobind put on two swords — one signifying miri (secular power) and the other piri (spiritual power).
- Built the Akal Takht in 1608 at Amritsar in Punjab.
- Continued the military traditions started by his grandfather Guru Hargobind.
- Became Guru at the age of five.
- Guru Harkrishan cured the sick during a smallpox epidemic in Delhi.
- He is sometimes called the Child Guru.
- Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi was constructed in this Guru’s memory. This is where the Guru stayed during his visit to Delhi.
- Built the city of Anandpur Sahib.
- Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred by Emperor Aurangzeb because he would not become a Muslim. Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Chandni Chowk in Delhi is located where he was martyred.
- In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh baptized the Sikhs and created the Khalsa (“Pure”). The Khalsa consists of Sikhs who have been baptized and who dedicate themselves to living by the high standards of the Sikh Gurus at all times.
- Instructed the Sikhs to keep the five K’s (Kesh, Kangha, Kripan, Kachchha and Kada).
- Compiled the 1428-page Dasam Granth Sahib.
- Author of several banis (hymns) which Sikhs recite daily: Jaap Sahib and Chaupai.
- Wrote his autobiography, the Bichitra Natak.
- Instructed Sikh males to use the last name of Singh (lion) and Sikh females to use the last name Kaur (princess).
- All four sons of Guru Gobind Singh were martyred by the Mughals.
- He was killed by a Pathan, Gul Khan, in 1708.
- He instructed the Sikhs to follow the Granth Sahib as the Guru after him.
- The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs.
- It is the eternal spiritual guide of the Sikhs. The hymns provide broad guidelines for harmonious living.
- Compiled by Guru Arjan Dev, it has the writings of the Sikh Gurus and other saints.
- The Granth Sahib is kept in all gurdwaras and in many Sikh houses.
- It contains a total of 5867 hymns in 1430 pages.
- Anglo-Sikh wars began after the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839.
First War (1845-46)
- The Sikhs were defeated in all the four battles at Mudki, Feroz Pur, Aliwal and Sobraon. The Treaty of Lahore ended the War.
Second War (1848-49)
- Dalhousie annexed Punjab.
- Sir John Lawrence became the first Chief Commissioner of the Punjab.