Religion & Spirituality

Sikhism Gurus and Historical Figures

Gurus, Martyrs, Warriors, Villains and Other Famous People of Sikh History

A succession of ten gurus developed and established the tenets of Sikhism. The famous people and important leaders of Sikh history include influential women, fearless warriors, and countless brave and heroic martyrs who stood fast for their faith when confronted with infamous tyrannical villains.

The Ten Gurus of Sikh History

Photo © [Courtesy IIGS Inc.]

Ten spiritual masters and founders of Sikhism developed the tenets of Sikh beliefs, establishing principles and precepts of faith over a period of three centuries:

First Guru Nanak Dev
Second Guru Angad Dev
Third Guru Amar Das
Fourth Guru Raam Das
Fifth Guru Arjun Dev
Sixth Guru Har Govind
Seventh Guru Har Rai
Eighth Guru Har Krishan
Ninth Guru Teg Bahadar
Tenth Guru Gobind Singh

The tenth guru bequeathed his throne to, and named as his ever lasting successor, Sikhism's holy scripture:

Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Authors of Guru Granth Sahib

Photo © [S Khalsa / Courtesy Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa]

Written in raag of the Indian classical music system, the collective works of 43 authors compile the 1430 page poetic scripture of Guru Granth Sahib including that of:

Four devout Sikhs
Seven of the ten Gurus
Fifteen Bhagats, holy men of Islam and Hinduism
Seventeen Bhatts, minstrels of the Gurus' court

Influential Women in Sikh History

Artistic Impression © [Angel Originals]

Sisters, wives, daughters, and mothers of the Gurus are among the women who played important and influential roles in helping to develop Sikhism, establish and protect its honored traditions:

Bibi Nanaki
Mata Khivi
Bibi Bhani
Mata Gujri
Mata Sahib Kaur
Warrior Princess Mai Bhago

Read more:
Influential Women in Sikh History

Famous Men in the History of Sikhism

Artistic Impression © [Jedi Nights]

Important historical figures and famous men in the history of Sikhism include supporters of the gurus and the growing Sikh faith, scholars, scribes, mystics, and heroic warriors who fought bravely in battle against overwhelming odds:

Rai Bular Bhatti
Mardana (1459 - 1534)
Kirpal Chand
Bhai Bidhi Chand Chhina
Makhan Shah the Sea Merchant (1619 - 1647)
Bhai Kanhaiya (1648 - 1718)
Joga Singh of Peshawar

Panj Pyare the Five Beloved of Sikh History

Artistic Impression of Panj Pyare Preparing Amrit

Artistic Impression © [Angel Originals]

Five volunteers gave their heads in response to a call made by Tenth Guru Gobind Singh during the first Khalsa initiation. They became known as the five beloved administrators of the immortal nectar amrit:

Bhai Daya Singh (1661 - 1708)
Bahi Dharam Singh (1699 - 1708)
Bhai Himmat Singh (1661 - 1705)
Bhai Muhkam Singh (1663 - 1705)
Bhai Sahib Singh (1662 - 1705)

Shaheed Martyrs of Sikh History

Chote Sahibzadey Guru Gobind Singhs Two Youngest Martyred Sons

Countless courageous shaheed martyrs who held fast to their beliefs and never faltered even when subjected to the most merciless torture at the hands of their enemies include gurus, their families, Khalsa warriors, Sikh men, Sikh women, even Sikh children and infants:

Shaheed Martyr Guru Arjun Dev (1606)
Shaheed Martyr Guru Teg Bahadar (1675)
Four Martyred Sons of Guru Gobind Singh (1705)
Martyr Mata Gujri, Mother of Guru Gobind Singh (1705)
Shaheed Martyr Banda Singh Bahadar (1716)
Shaheed Martyr Bhai Mani Singh (1737)
Shaheed Martyr Bhai Taru Singh (1745)
Shaheedi Mothers, Martyrs of Lahore (1752)
Shaheed Martyr Baba Deep Singh (1757)
Martyrs of the Lesser and Greater Sikh Holocausts (1746 & 1762)
Shaheed Martyr Gurbakhsh Singh (1688 - 1764)
Saka Nankana Mahant Massacre Martyrs (1921)
Panja Sahib Shaheed, Train Station Martyrs (1922)
Darbar Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) Massacre (1984)
Delhi Massacre Martyrs(1984)

Villains of Sikh History

Tricksters, imposters, occult masters, warlords, religious leaders, and government officials are among the traitorous, treacherous tyrannical villains who opposed, imprisoned, terrorized, tortured and martyred the gurus and Sikhs. Inspired by the gurus, some repentant miscreants mended their ways, but others continually harassed and brutalized innocent Sikhs.

Among those mischief makers who altered their lives to join the guru's service are:

Sajjan Thug
Bidhi Chand
Banda Bahadar

Jealousy motivated schemes and plots by family members who hoped to become guru and were passed over in favor of a more spiritual candidate:

Prithi Chand
Dhir Mal

Members of the Mughal dynasty and other Islamic rulers conspired to annihilate Sikhs including:

Aurangzeb
Ahmad Shah Durrani

Twentieth century Indian government officials who terrorized Sikhs include: