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
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,
Jetha's simple and God-fearing parents, Hari Das and Anup Devi of
Name: Sri Guru Ram Das Ji (Sodh lineage)
Place of Avtar: Chuna Mandi -
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
Kin: N/A
Lifespan: 7 years, 8 months, 2 days
Guruship: 2 years, 5 months, 20 days
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,
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,
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
Name: Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Sodh lineage)
Place of Avtar: Sri Patna Sahib,
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
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
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