The Ten Gurus of Sikh History

A Timeline of the Ten Gurus

Guru Nanak Dev founded the Sikh faith, introducing the concept of one God.
Son of: Kalyan Das ji (Mehta Kalu ji), and Mata Tripta ji.
Married to: Sulakhani ji.
Father to: sons, Siri Chand and Lakhmi Das.

• Birthplace: Nankana Sahib (Pakistan), observed October 20, 1469 (April 15, 1469 Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: From birth - formally, February 20, 1507 (1499 AD at about age 30)
• Place of death: Kartarpur, September 7, 1539 (September 22, Nanakshahi)
• Age: 70

The Life of Guru Nanak
The Birth of Guru Nanak
The Story of Guru Nanak's Birth
Guru Nanak's Birthday Celebrations
Guru Nanak's Official Birthday Celebration
Guru Nanak the Herdboy
Guru Nanak and the Shade Tree
Guru Nanak and the Cobra
Guru Nanak the Merchant
The Journeys of Guru Nanak and Mardana

Guru Angad Dev compiled the writings of Nanak Dev, and introduced the Gurmukhi script.
Son of: Pheru Mall ji and Mata Daya Kaur (Sabhrai) ji.
Married to: Khivi ji.
Father to: sons, Dasu, Datu, and daughters, Amro and Anokhi.

• Birthplace: Harike, March 31, 1504 (April 18, Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: Kartarpur, September 7, 1539 (September 18, Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Khadur, March 29, 1552 (April 16, Nanakshahi)
• Age: 48

Guru Angad Dev and the Tradition of Langar
The Establishment of Langar by Mata Khivi

Guru Amar Das disavowed caste with the institution of langar, pangat and sangat.
Son of: Tej Bhan ji and Mata Lakhmi ji.
Married to: Mansa Devi.
Father to: sons, Mohan, Mohri, and daughters, Dani and Bhani.

• Birthplace: Basarke (Amritsar) May 5, 1479, (May 23, Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: Khadur, March 26, 1552 (April 16, Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Goindwal, September 1, 1574 (September 16, Nanakshahi)
• Age: 95

The Guru's Free Kitchen
The Institution of Langar
Monday according to Guru Amardas

Guru Raam Das began the excavation of the sarovar in Amritsar.
Son of: Hari Das ji Sodhi and Mata Daya Kaur ji.
Married to: Bhani ji.
Father to: sons, Prithi Chand, Maha Dev and Arjun Dev.

• Birthplace: Chuna Mandi (Lahore, Pakistan) September 24, 1534 (October 9, Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: Goindwal, September 1, 1574 (September 16, Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Goindwal, September 1, 1581 (September 16, Nanakshahi)
• Age: 47

The History of Keeping Up
The Virtue of Humility

Guru Arjun (Arjan) Dev erected the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, compiled and contributed to Adi Granth, 1604.
Son of: Guru Ram das and Ji Mata Bhani ji.
Married to: Ganga ji.
Father to: one son, Har Gobind.

• Birthplace: Goindwal, April 14, 1563 (May 2, Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: Goindwal, September 1, 1581 (September 16, Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Lahore, May, 30 1606 (June 16, Nanakshahi)
• Martyred age: 43

Martyr, Architect and Poet
History of Harmandir Sahib
The Martyrdom of Guru Arjun

Guru Har Govind (Gobind) constructed the Akal Takhat. He raised an army and wore two swords symbolizing secular and spiritual authority. The mogul emperor Jahangir imprisoned him. The guru negotiated the release of whomever could hold on to his robe. He had strings sewn to his clothing and so freed 52 princes.
Son of: Guru Arjun and Mata Ganga.
Married to: Damodri ji, Nankee ji and Maha Devi ji.
Father to: Sons, Gur Ditta, Ani Rai, Suraj Mal, Atal Rai, Teg Mall (Teg Bahadur), and daughter, Bibi Veero.

• Birthplace: Guru ki Wadali (Amritsar), June 19, 1595 (July 5, Nanakshai)
• Became Guru: Amritsar, May 25, inaugurated June 10 - 11 or 25, 1606 (June 11, Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Kiratpur, February 28, or March 3, 1644 (March 19, Nanakshahi)
• Age: 49

Guru Har Rai propagated the Sikh faith, maintained a cavalry of 20,000 as his personal guard, and established both a hospital and zoo.
Son of: Baba Gurditta ji and Mata Nihal Kaur.
Married to: Sulakhni ji (Kishan Kaur) and Daughters of Daya Ram.
Father to: sons, Ram Rai and Har Krishan, and daughter Sarup Kaur.

• Birthplace: Kiratpur (Hoshiarpur), January 16, or February 26, 1630 (January 31, Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: Kiratpur, March 3, or 8, 1644 (March 14, Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Kiratpur, May 30, or October 6, 1661 (October 20, Nanakshahi)
• Age: 31

Birth of Guru Har Rai
Boyhood of Guru Har Rai

Guru Har Krishan became guru at the age of five, and is known for his wisdom and compassion.
Son of Guru Har Rai and Mata Kishan (aka Krishan or Sulakhni) Kaur.

• Birthplace: Kiratpur, July 7,1656 (July 23, Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: Kiratpur, June 10, July 7, or October 6 - 7, 1661 (October 20, Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Delhi, March 30, 1664 (April 16, Nanakshahi)
• Age: 8

Guru Teg Bahadur reluctant to leave meditation and come forward as guru, ultimately sacrificed his life to protect Hindu Pandits from forced conversion to Islam.
Son of: Guru Hargobind and Mata Nankee ji.
Married to: Gujri ji.
Father to: one son, Gobind Singh.

• Birthplace: Amritsar, April 1, 1621 (April 18, Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: Baba Bakala, August 11, 1664 (April 16, Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Delhi, November 11, 1675 (November 24, Nanakshahi)
• Martyred age: 54

Guru Gobind Singh created the order of Khalsa. He sacrificed his father, mother, four sons and ultimately his own life, to protect Sikhs from forced conversion to Islam. He completed the Granth and bestowed upon it the title of everlasting Guru.
Son of Guru Teg Bahadur and Mata Gujri ji.
Married to Jito ji (Ajit Kaur), Sundri, and Sahib Kaur.
Father to sons, Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh.

• Birthplace: Patna (Bihar, India) December 22, 1666 (January 5, Nanakshahi)
• Became Guru: Anandpur, November 11, 1675 (November 24 Nanakshahi)
• Place of death: Nanderh, October 7, 1708 (October 21, Nanakshahi)
• Age: 42

Birthplace of Gobind Rai
The Story of Gobind Rai's Birth
Vaisakhi History and Holiday
The Sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh