History of the Gurus Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Sri Guru Har Gobind Ji

Sri Guru Har Rai Ji

Sri Guru Har Krishan Ji

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Guru Nanak was born on 29th November 1469 in a Bedi Khatri clan, in the village of Rai Bhoey Di Talwanddi, now called Nankana Sahib (after the Guru), near Lahore, Pakistan. Today, his birth place is marked by Gurdwara Janam Asthan. His father, Mehta Kaliyan Chand Bedi Ji, also known as Mehta Kalu, was the patwari (accountant) of crop revenue for the village of Talwandi under the Muslim landlord of the village, Rai Bular, who was responsible for collecting taxes. Guru Nanak's mother was Tripta Devi Ji and he had one older sister, Nanaki Ji.

Name: Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Bedi Lineage)

Place of Avtar: Rai Bhoey Di Talwandi (Sri Nanakana Sahib)

Date of Avtar: 1526 Bikrami, Katak Pooranmashi (approximately 1am), Wednesday 29th November, 1469 AD

Parents: Mata Tripta Ji, Baba Kalu ji (Kalyan Chand Ji)

Wife/consort: Mata Sulakhani Ji

Ascension to Guruship: At time of Avtar

Ascension to SachKand: 1596 Bikrami, Asoo - Sri Kartarpur Sahib, 10th October, 1539 AD

Kin: Sons - Baba Sri Chand Ji 'Udasi,' Baba Lakhmi Das Ji

Lifespan: 69 years, 10 months, 10 days

Guruship: 69 years, 10 months, 10 days

Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji

Name: Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji (Tehan Lineage)

Place of Avtar: Mate Di Saran (Nange di Saran), Muktsar

Date of Avtar: 1561 Bikrami, Vaisakh, Saturday 23rd April, 1504 AD

Parents: Mata Sabharee Ji (Daya Kaur), Baba Pheru Mal Ji

Wife/consort: Mata Kheevee Ji

Ascension to Guruship: 1596 Bikrami, Asoo at Sri Kartarpur Sahib, 6th October 1539 AD

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1609 Chet, 27th March 1552 at Khadur Sahib

Kin: Sons - Baba Dasu Ji, Baba Datu Ji. Daughters - Bibi Amro Ji, Bibi Anokhi Ji Lifespan: 47 years, 11 months, 3 days

Guruship: 12 years, 6 months, 14 days

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji

For their religious scriptures Guru Amar Das collected an anthology of writings including hymns of Guru Nanak and Guru Angad and added his own as well as those of other Hindu saints whose poems conformed to the teachings of Sikhism. All of these were in Punjabi and easily understood by the common people. When a learned Brahmin once questioned the Guru; "Why do you impart instruction to your disciples not in Sanskrit, the language of gods in which all the Hindu lore is written, but in their mother-tongue, like Punjabi, the language of the illiterate mass." To this Guru Amar Das replied; "Sanskrit is like a well, deep, inaccessible and confined to the elite, but the language of the people is like rain water - ever fresh, abundant and accessible to all." He said; "I want my doctrines to be propagated through every language which the people speak, for it is not language but the content that should be considered sacred or otherwise."

Name: Sri Guru Amar Das Ji (Bhale Lineage)

Place of Avtar: Basar ke (San Sahib)

Date of Avtar: 1526 Bikrami, Friday 5th May, 1469

Parents: Mata Lashmi Ji, Baba Tej Bhaan Ji

Wife/consort: Mata Ramo Ji

Ascension to Guruship: 1609 Bikrami, Chet, Khadoor Sahib, 25th March 1552 AD

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1631 Bikrami, Bhaadron, Goindval Sahib, 1st October, 1574 AD

Kin: Sons - Baba Mohan Ji, Baba Mohri Ji. Daughters - Bibi Dhani Ji, Bibi Bhani Ji

Lifespan: 105 years, 4 months, 1 day

Guruship: 21 years, 5 moths, 14 days

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji

Guru Ram Das Ji was born at Chuna Mandi, Lahore at the site of present shrine on 24th September 1534 and spent the first seven years of his life here. Soon after birth, he was given the name Jetha, meaning the first born.

Jetha's simple and God-fearing parents, Hari Das and Anup Devi of Lahore were delighted at this precious gift from Waheguru. As he was growing up and in his teens, he could always be found in the company of religious men. Jetha became a handsome young man. One day Jetha came across a party of Sikhs who were on their way to Goindwal to pay homage to Guru Amar Das ji. Jetha decided to join them and also travel to Goindwal. Upon their arrival and meeting, Guru Amar Das ji at once noticed the young Jetha with his pleasant manner and sense of devotion. While his fellow travelers returned to Lahore, Jetha decided to stay and become a disciple of Guru Amar Das Ji. His hard work, and devotion eventually won him the hand of Guru Amar Das's younger daughter, Bibi Bhani. They went on to have three sons, Prithi Chand, Mahadev and Arjan Dev.

Name: Sri Guru Ram Das Ji (Sodh lineage)

Place of Avtar: Chuna Mandi - Lahore, Pakistan

Date of Avtar: 1591 Bikrami, Katak, Thursday 2nd November, 1534 AD

Parents: Mata Daya Kaur Ji (Khem Kaur), Baba Hardas Ji

Wife/consort: Mata Bhani Ji

Ascension to Guruship: 1631 Bikrami, Bhadron, 29th September, 1574 AD - Sri Goindval Sahib

Ascension to Sachkhand: 1638 Bikrami, Bhadron, 19th September 1581 AD - Sri Goindval Sahib

Kin: Sons - Baba Pirthi Chand Jee, Baba Maha Dev Jee, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Jee Lifespan: 47 years, 16 days

Guruship: 6 years, 11 months, 20 days

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs, was the embodiment of Godly devotion, Selfless Service and Universal Love. He was the treasure of celestial knowledge and spiritual excellence. He substantially contributed towards the welfare of the society. He stood steadfastly for the principles he believed in, sacrificed his own life, and attained a unique and unparalleled martyrdom in the history of mankind.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred in 1606 because the Emperor Jahangir suspected him of supporting a rival to the throne of Emperor, after the death of Emperor Akbar. Emperor Jehangir imprisoned Guru Arjan Dev Ji and later handed him over to Murtaza Khan (an official of Jehangir) to torture Guru Arjan Dev Ji to death. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was made to sit on a scorching iron plate and had boiling sand poured over his body. Historian record Guru Arjan Dev Ji was impervious to this pain and sat there chanting hymns. During this torture, the torturer asked if the Guru would like some water but the Guru refused it defiantly, historians record this spiritual strength of the Guru trembled the torturer's confidence.

Name: Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sodh lineage)

Place of Avtar: Sri Goindval Sahib

Date of Avtar: 1620 Bikrami, Vaisakh, Tuesday 14th April, 1563

Parents: Mata Bhani Ji, Sri Guru Ram Das Ji

Wife/consort: Mata Ganga Ji

Ascension to Guruship: 1638 Bikrami, Bhadron, 18th September, 1581 AD

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1663 Bikrami, Jeth, 25th May, 1605 AD, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore

Kin: Sons - Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji

Lifespan: 42 years, 1 month, 27 days

Guruship: 24 years, 9 months, 2 days

Sri Guru Har Gobind Ji

Sri Guru Har Gobind, was combined in his personality a saint, sportsman and a soldier. His father Sri Guru Arjan Dev was a true saint but the boy Har Gobind had perceived his father's saintliness suffer and erode at the brutal hands of Mugal tyranny. When yet a little more than a child Guru Har Gobind was convinced that for sustaining the Panth sword was as essential as sainthood. He hence advocated that a Sikh Guru would represent both the Meeri and Peeri, the Shakti and Bhakti and the Tegh and Degh. He decided to wear on his waist two swords instead of one, that is, one to chastise the oppressor and the other to protect the innocent." He declared that the Guru's house would henceforth combine the spiritual and the mundane powers, his rosary would serve also as his sword-belt and an emblem of regality would crown his turban. He would sit in a regular court with regalia around. Sikhs were commanded to keep a sword and maintain a horse. The aureole of Guru Nanak's Sikhism and the humming melodies of his sangats had with Guru Har Gobind combined with them the dazzling brilliance and the deafening sound of swords.

Name: Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (Sodh lineage)

Place of Avtar: Vadali Sahib, Amritsar

Date of Avtar: 1652 Bikrami, Haar, Sunday 6th June, 1596

Parents: Mata Ganga Jee, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee

Wife/consort: Mata Damodari Jee, Mata Nanaki Jee, Mata Marvahi Jee

Ascension to Guruship: 1663 Bikrami, Jeth, 15th May 1605 AD, Kothari Sahib (Akal Takhat)

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1695 Bikrami, Chet, 28th March, 1638 Kiratpur Sahib

Kin: Son - Baba Gurditta Jee. Daughter - Bibi Veero Jee (Born to Mata Damodari Jee), Sons - Baba Anhi Rai Jee, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Jee, Baba Atal Rai Jee (Born to Mata Nanaki Jee), Son - Baba Suraj Mal Jee (born to Mata Marvahi Jee)

Lifespan: 42 years, 9 months, 19 days

Guruship: 32 years, 10 months, 12 daysSri Guru Har Gobind Ji

Sri Guru Har Gobind, was combined in his personality a saint, sportsman and a soldier. His father Sri Guru Arjan Dev was a true saint but the boy Har Gobind had perceived his father's saintliness suffer and erode at the brutal hands of Mugal tyranny. When yet a little more than a child Guru Har Gobind was convinced that for sustaining the Panth sword was as essential as sainthood. He hence advocated that a Sikh Guru would represent both the Meeri and Peeri, the Shakti and Bhakti and the Tegh and Degh. He decided to wear on his waist two swords instead of one, that is, one to chastise the oppressor and the other to protect the innocent." He declared that the Guru's house would henceforth combine the spiritual and the mundane powers, his rosary would serve also as his sword-belt and an emblem of regality would crown his turban. He would sit in a regular court with regalia around. Sikhs were commanded to keep a sword and maintain a horse. The aureole of Guru Nanak's Sikhism and the humming melodies of his sangats had with Guru Har Gobind combined with them the dazzling brilliance and the deafening sound of swords.

Name: Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (Sodh lineage)

Place of Avtar: Vadali Sahib, Amritsar

Date of Avtar: 1652 Bikrami, Haar, Sunday 6th June, 1596

Parents: Mata Ganga Jee, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee

Wife/consort: Mata Damodari Jee, Mata Nanaki Jee, Mata Marvahi Jee

Ascension to Guruship: 1663 Bikrami, Jeth, 15th May 1605 AD, Kothari Sahib (Akal Takhat)

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1695 Bikrami, Chet, 28th March, 1638 Kiratpur Sahib

Kin: Son - Baba Gurditta Jee. Daughter - Bibi Veero Jee (Born to Mata Damodari Jee), Sons - Baba Anhi Rai Jee, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Jee, Baba Atal Rai Jee (Born to Mata Nanaki Jee), Son - Baba Suraj Mal Jee (born to Mata Marvahi Jee)

Lifespan: 42 years, 9 months, 19 days

Guruship: 32 years, 10 months, 12 days

Sri Guru Har Rai Ji

Although, Guru Har Rai Ji was a man of peace, he never disbanded the armed Sikh Warriors (Saint Soldiers), who earlier were maintained by his grandfather, Guru Hargobind. He always boosted the military spirit of the Sikhs, but he never himself indulged in any direct political and armed controversy with the contemporary Mugal Empire. Once on the request of Dara Shikoh (the eldest son of emperor Shahjahan), Guru Sahib helped him to escape safely from the bloody hands of Aurangzebs armed forces during the war of succession.

Name: Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji (Sodh lineage)

Place of Avtar: Kiratpur Sahib

Date of Avtar: 1687 Bikrami, Maghar, Sunday 5th February, 1630 AD

Parents: Mata Nihal Kaur Ji, Baba Gurditta Ji

Wife/consort: Mata Krishan Kaur Ji, Mata Chand Kaur Ji, Mata Ram Kaur Ji, Mata Kot Kalyani Ji, Mata Tokhi Ji, Mata Anokhi Ji, Mata Lado Ji, Mata Prem Kaur Ji

Ascension to Guruship: 1695 Bikrami, Chet, 22nd March, 1638 - Kiratpur Sahib

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1718 Bikrami, Katak, 8th November, 1661 AD - Kiratpur Sahib

Kin: Sons - Baba Ram Rai Ji (Born to Mata Ram Kaur Ji), Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji (Born to Mata Krishan Kaur Ji)

Lifespan: 30 years, 8 months, 20 days

Guruship: 22 years, 6 months, 20 days

Sri Guru Har Krishan Ji

Guru Har Krishan Sahib was born in Kiratpur Sahib Distt. Rupnagar, Punjab, India to Guru Har Rai and Kishan Kaur (Mata Sulakhni). Before his death in October 1661, Har Rai designated his younger son Har Krishan as the next Guru. Har Rai chose Har Krishan, rather than his elder son Ram Rai, because Ram Rai was in collusion with the Mugal Empire. Har Krishan was only five years old when he succeeded his father as Guru.

Name: Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji (Sodh lineage)

Place of Avtar: Kiratpur Sahib

Date of Avtar: 1713 Bikrami, Savan, Thursday 14th July, 1656 AD

Parents: Mata Krishan Kaur Ji, Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji

Wife/consort: N/A

Ascension to Guruship: 1718 Bikrami, Katak, 8th November, 1661 AD - Kiratpur Sahib

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1721 Bikrami, Chet, 6th April, 1664 AD, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi

Kin: N/A

Lifespan: 7 years, 8 months, 2 days

Guruship: 2 years, 5 months, 20 days

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Shortly after the birth of Guru Teg Bahadur, Sri Guru Har Gobind Sahib asked many priests, including Baba Budha Ji and Baba Gurdas to come with him and bless the child. On seeing the child, Guru Har Gobind and Baba Budha bowed to the him and touched his feet. On being asked by one of his followers to explain his actions, Guru Har Gobind said that Guru Teg Bahadur was sent to this world with a great mission: he would sacrifice his own life for the welfare of others. Sri Guru Har Gobind Sahib always wore two swords; Miri (political sovereignty) and Piri (spiritual sovereignty). When Guru Har Gobind Sahib picked up his child, Guru Tegh Bahadur picked up the sword that represented Peeri.

Name: Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji (Sodh lineage)

Place of Avtar: Gurdwara Guru Ke Mehal, Amritsar

Date of Avtar: 1678 Bikrami, Vaisakh, Tuesday 12th April, 1621

Parents: Mata Nanaki Ji, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji

Wife/consort: Mata Gujri Ji

Ascension to Guruship: 1721 Bikrami, Cheth, 6th April, 1664 AD - Baba Bakala

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1732 Bikrami, Maghar, 19th December, 1675 AD - Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Chandni Chowk, Delhi

Kin: Son - Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee

Lifespan: 53 years, 7 months, 15 days

Guruship: 10 years, 7 months, 9 days

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Gobind Rai spent the first five years of his life in Patna. As a child, he used to play war games with other children, leading mock battles. He had many admirers, including a learned Brahmin called Pandit Shiv Dutt (or Shiv Das). Once, Raja Fateh Chand of Patna and his Rani, a childless couple, visited Shiv Dutt, and asked him to bless them with a child. Shiv Dutt suggested that if an innocent child like Gobind Rai prayed to God, their desire would be fulfilled. The couple then asked young Gobind Rai to visit their palace, where the Rani asked Gobind Rai to pray to God to bless her with a son like him. Gobind Rai smiled and said that there can be nobody like him, so the Rani should call him her son. From that day, the Rani started calling him Bala Pritam ("child God"). The royal couple allowed Gobind Rai and his friends to freely play in their palace, and also built a big dining hall for the children.

Name: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Sodh lineage)

Place of Avtar: Sri Patna Sahib, Bihar

Date of Avtar: 1723 Bikrami, Poh, Sunday 1st January 1666

Parents: Mata Gujri Ji, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji

Wife/consort: Mata Ajit Kaur Ji, Mata Sunder Kaur Ji, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji

Ascension to Guruship: 1732 Bikrami, Maghar, 17th December, 1675 AD - Sri Anandpur Sahib

Ascension to Sach Kand: 1765 Bikrami, Katak, 19th November, 1708 AD - Sri Hajoor Sahib, Nander

Kin: Sons - Baba Ajit Singh Ji (Born to Mata Sunder Kaur Ji) Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, Baba Zoravar Singh Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji (Born to Mata Ajit Kaur Ji)

Lifespan: 41 years, 9 months, 28 days

Guruship: 32 years, 11 months, 2 days

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was first compiled by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji at Amritsar between 1600-1604, Guru Ji narrated the Gurbani and Bhai Gurdas Sahib Ji was the scribe. Guru Sahib had collected the works of the previous Gurus and then added works from other saints and their own utterances of Gurbani. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was first installed at Harimandar Sahib (Golden Temple, Amritsar) on the 16th of August 1604 with Baba Buddha Sahib Ji being the first Granthi.

Eternal King

Gurgaddi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee

(Everlasting Guruship)

In 1708 AD at Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nanded with 5 Singhs in the Hazoori (Presence) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee uttered the following in front of all those presence as a command:

“With the blessing of God the Khalsa Panth was created, all Sikhs have a commandment to believe in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, which is the living embodiment of the 10 Guru’s. Whatever you desire can be obtained by meditating on the Shabad (Verses) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee.”

The names of the 5 Singh’s were:

1) Baba Gurbakhash Singh Ji, who was martyred fighting against Ahmed Shah Abdali’s forces, his place of martyrdom was behind Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.

2) Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed

3) Pyare Bhai Dharam Singh Ji

4) Bhai Santokh Singh Ji (Sevadar Sri Hazoor Sahib)

5) Bhai Har Singh Ji (Author of Guru Ji’s daily diary)

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji gave the final form to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by including Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib Ji’s Bani in the period 1705-1706. Bhai Mani Singh Ji was granted the seva of being the scribe. Just before His departure from the world on the 7th of October 1708, Guru Sahib installed Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Sikhs final and everlasting Guru.

Contributors

Gurus: Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji, 974 compositions in 19 different rags

Sri Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji, 62 Saloks within the Vars

Sri Guru Amardas Sahib Ji, 907 compositions in 17 different rags

Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji 679 compositions in 29 different rags

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji, 2218 compositions in 30 different rags

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, added the tunes to 9 out of the 22 Vars

Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib Ji, 115 compositons in 15 different rags

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji, 1 dohra in Salok Mahala 9, Ang 1429

Gursikhs:

Bhai Mardana Ji, 3 Saloks in 1 raag

Baba Sundar Ji, 1 hymn in 1 raag

Bhai Satta Ji & Bhai Balwand Ji, 1 Var in 1 raag

Bhagats:

Beni Ji, 3 compositions in 3 different raags

Bheekhan Ji, 2 hymns in 1 raag

Dhanna Ji, 4 compositions in 2 different raags

Fareed Ji, 134 compositions in 2 different raags

Jai Dev Ji, 2 compositions in 2 different raags

Kabeer Ji, 541 compositions in 17 different raags

Naamdev Ji, 60 compositions in 18 different raags

Parmanand Ji, 1 hymn in 1 raag

Peepa Ji, 1 hymn in 1 raag

Ramanand Ji, 1 hymn in 1 raag

Ravidas Ji, 41 compositions in 16 different raags

Sadhna Ji, 1 hymn in 1 raag

Sain Ji, 1 hymn in 1 raag

Soordas Ji, 1 verse in 1 raag

Trilochan Ji, 4 compositions in 3 different raags

Bhatts:

Kal, Kalsahaar, Tal, Jaalap, Jal, Kirat, Sal, Bhalah, Nalah, Bhikhaa, Jalan, Das, Gyand, Sewak, Mathura, Bal, and Haribans, 123 Swayas singing the praises of the first 5 Gurus

Languages

Panjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Western Panjabi/Lehndi, Arabic, Persian, Gujrati, Marathi, Eastern Hindi, Western Hindi, and Eastern Apabhramsa.

Contents

31 Raags:

Sri Raag, Majh, Gaurhi, Aasha, Goojri, Devgandhari, Bihagrha, Vadhans, Soratth, Dhanasri, Jaitsri, Todi, Bairarhi, Tilang, Soohi, Bilawal, Gond, Ramkali, Natt Narayin, Malli Gaurha, Maaru, Tukhari, Kedara, Bhairayo, Basant, Saarag, Malaar, Kaanrha, Kaliyan, Parbhati, Jaijavanti,

Bhagat Kabeer Ji & Bhagat Fareed Ji Saloks

17 Bhatts Swayas praising the Gurus

Saloks in addition to the Vars (including Salok Mahala 9)

Mundavani and Salok Mahala 5

Raagmala

History of Gursikhs Mata Dalair Kaur Ji Sikh Women in Mir Mannu's Prison

Bhai Mati Das Ji

Bhai Sati Das Ji

Bhai Dyal Das Ji

Bhai Taru Singh Ji

Bhai Subegh Singh Ji & Bhai Shehbaz Singh Ji

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Mata Sahib Devan Kaur

Bhai Gurjit Singh