List of 10 Sikh Gurus

The current global population of Sikhs is approximately 24 million. Most of them live in Punjab, an Indian state. Guru Nanak (1469-1539), their founder, and Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), their tenth Guru, are their religious leaders. Religious teachers and religions do not exist in isolation. India was, at the time of the Gurus, ruled over by Muslim Mughal emperors. The Punjabi society was a mixture of Hindus and Muslims. 

Sikh faith grew out of Gurus' teachings and their devotees' devotion to become a global religion with its code of conduct, own scriptures, festivals, life cycle rites, and beliefs. Sikhs have a strong sense and celebration of their unique history. In this post, we will talk about the list of 10 Sikh gurus and their small history.

List of 10 Sikh Gurus Names in Order

In this article, we have mentioned the names of ten Sikh gurus and given a short history. 

Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak Jayanti (also known as Gurpurab) is the most significant festival for followers of Sikhism. It is held to mark Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary, the first guru of Sikh. It is usually celebrated on the 15th lunar day in Kartik Poornima, according to the Hindu calendar. It is also known as Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary.

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Guru Nanak Jayanti's History

Guru Nanak was born at Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi in the Sheikhpura region of Pakistan on April 15, 1469. His birthplace, now Nankana Sahib, was the site of a Gurdwara. It is located in Pakistan's Punjab province. Guru Nanak, a spiritual teacher, is widely regarded as the founder of Sikhism in 15th-century Pakistan and the 1st guru of Sikh. He wrote the Guru Granth Sahib and 974 hymns.

Guru Angad

Guru Angad (31/03/1504 - 29/03/1552) was the second Guru among the list of 10 Sikh gurus. Born in Harike (now Sarae Naga near Muktsar), he was a Hindu child with the birth name of Lehna. Bhai Lehna was raised in Khatri (Kshatriya) families. His father was a small-scale trader, and he also worked as a pujari, a priest, and a religious teacher that revolved around Durga. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was his friend, and he became a Sikh.

Guru Amar Das

At the age of 73, Amar Das (born 1479 in Khadur, India — died 1674 in Goindwal) was recognised as the third Sikh Guru among the ten Sikh gurus (1522-194). He is known for his division and the encouragement of missionary work to spread the faith. His wisdom and piety were highly regarded. It was reported that Akbar, the Mughal Emperor, sought his guidance and ate at the Sikhs' casteless langar.

Amar Das made Goindwal a centre of Sikh authority, learning and leadership. He strengthened the existing institutions for Sikh scripture, liturgy and langar. Anyone who wanted to see him must eat in his refectory.

Guru Ram Das

In Sikhism, Sri Guru Ram Das was the fourth Guru in Sikhism. He was born in 1534 and died in 1581). The Guru was born to Mata Anup Devi and Bhai Hari Das in Lahore. His birth name was Jetha. Bhai Jetha was orphaned at seven years old and grew up with his maternal grandmother. Bhai Jetha was 12 years old when he met Sri Guru Amar Das, the third Guru of Sikhs. Bhai Jetha served Guru Amar Das and the Sikh population with utmost devotion and humility. Bhaijetha's spirit and sacrifice underwent many tests throughout the years. Guru Amar Das named Bhai Jetha Ram Das ("servant to God") and made him the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Ram Das.

Guru Arjan

Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Guru among the list of 10 Sikh Gurus of the Sikhs and the first Guru to be martyred for the Sikh faith. He was born in 1563 and completed the construction of Amritsar's Golden Temple. He also wrote the Adi Granth (the religious scripture of Sikhs that includes spiritual poetry and musical arrangements). It was installed at Harmandir Sahib.

Guru Arjan Dev, a sacred scripture, was later renamed the Guru Granth Sahib. He was captured by Jahangir, Mughal Emperor, in 1606 and held in Lahore Fort. This was due to his growing influence and the spreading of Sikhism. Jahangir was outraged by the belief that Guru Arjan Dev had blessed Khusrau's rebellious son and ordered the Guru's execution.

Shaheedi Divas Guru Arjan is a memorial to his martyrdom, which occurs each year in May or June.

Guru Har Gobind

Guru Har Gobind, the sixth Sikh Guru among the ten Sikh gurus, is also credited with spearheading the militarisation of the religion, unlike other Sikh gurus.

Guru Har Gobind was born in 1595 in Wadali (Amritsar). After Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir executed Guru Arjan Dev; he was named his successor. According to historians, Jahangir felt threatened by the Sikh community's growing strength and summoned Guru Arjan Dev from Lahore. Arjan Dev, anticipating his impending death, appointed Hargobind, an 11-year-old boy, to be the next Guru on 25 May 1606.

Guru Har Gobind, a month after the execution of his father, appeared before his devotees on July 24, 1606. He wore a saffron dress and a churidar pyjama with an aigrette and a pin on it.

Guru Har Rai

Har Rai was born in 1630 in Punjab, India. He died in 1661 in Punjab. Har Rai, the seventh Sikh Guru, among the ten Sikh gurus, was born in 1630. Har Rai's grandfather, Hargobind (the sixth Guru and a great military leader), was born in 1630, Punjab, India. Har Rai was a traveller in the Malwa region, where he converted Brar tribesmen to Sikhism. While he maintained the large number of standing troops his grandfather had built, he sought peace with the ruling Muslim Mughal family. Peace was threatened by the loss of the battle for the throne by Aurangzeb's brother Dara Shikoh the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh. He was a friendly Mughal prince and was able to tolerate non-Muslims.

Har Rai was summoned by Aurangzeb to explain his relationship to Dara Shikoh. Ram Rai, his son, sent Ram Rai to represent him. Aurangzeb asked Ram Rai about a line in the Adi Granth (the Sikh scripture), which he found offensive to Muslims. Ram Rai tried to placate the Emperor by suggesting that it had been incorrectly transcribed. Ram Rai was excommunicated by Har Rai for his actions. The Guru named Hari Krishen, his 5-year-old son, as Ram Rai's successor shortly before his death.

Guru Har Krishan

In Sikhism, Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib was the eighth on the Sikh guru List. He was the second son of Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib, Sulakhni, and Mata Krishan Kaur. Guru Har Rai Sahib said that Har Krishan, his younger child, would be the next Sikh Guru. He died in 1661. Har Krishan Sahib, five years old, was promoted to the Guruship throne.

Guru Tegh Bahadur

Guru Tegh Bahadur, who was born on Wednesday, April 18, 1621, died on Wednesday, November 24, 1675. The Sikhs revere him as Srishti-Chadar (Protector for humanity), and he is the ninth of the Ten Gurus in Sikhism. Following the example of Guru Har Krishan, his grand-nephew, he became Guru in 1664.

Guru Teg Bahadur was a poet, a thinker and a soldier. He carried forward the light and divinity of Guru Nanak Dev, the Sikh Gurus, and later Guru Teg Bahadur.

Guru Gobind Singh

Gobind Singh, the last Guru of Sikh (originally Gobind Rai), was born in 1666, Patna. Bihar, India. He died October 7, 1708, in Nanded (Maharashtra). 10th and final of the personal Sikh Gurus. Most famous for creating the Khalsa (Punjabi "the Pure"), which is the military brotherhood of Sikhs. He was the son of Tegh Bahadur (the ninth Guru), who died in martyrdom at the hands of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Gobind Singh, who was the tenth guru of Sikh,  was a man of great intellect. Gobind Singh was a gifted linguist who spoke Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Punjabi fluently. He codified Sikh law and wrote martial poetry and music. He is also credited with the Dasam Granth, a Sikh work that he wrote. His greatest accomplishment was the creation of Khalsa in 1699.

Did you know?

Langgar (LANG-gar) is another typical Sikh practice. Sikhism is known for its emphasis on equality and harmony. Serving free vegetarian meals is one way to live up to that belief, and it was preached by all Sikh gurus. Everyone sits on the floor, and no one gets a better seat or meal than the next person. Sikhs serve langars to the greater community at various times, especially to those in need, as well as after the end of worship ceremonies.