1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Sikhism

Ten Gurus of Sikh History

A Timeline of the Ten Gurus

By Sukhmandir Khalsa, About.com

The era of the ten gurus spans nearly 300 years, from the birth of Nanak Dev in 1469 through the life of Guru Gobind Singh. At the time of his the death in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh bestowed upon Siri Guru Granth Sahib the spiritual gadee, an inaugural event of enthronement, title, and position, of everlasting Guru of the Sikhs. Sikhs regard the ten gurus and Siri Guru Granth Sahib as a single entity, the embodiment of one guiding light. (Where research shows discrepancies in dates, each are given, and will be updated if possible.)

Architect of Destiny

1. Guru Nanak Dev

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

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), April 15,1469 observed October 20, 1469
  • Guru gadee: from birth, formally February 20, 1507
  • Place of death: Kartarpur, September 22, 1539
  • Age: 70

Guru Nanak - Birthplace - Nankana Sahib
Guru Nanak Dev Birthday Gurpurab - Prakash Guru Nanak's Birth
Guru Nanak Prakash Gurpurab - Official Birthday Celebration
Guru Nanak Dev the Herdboy
Guru Nanak Dev - Traditions of Langar

2. Guru Angad Dev

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

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: Kheevi ji.
Father to: sons, Dasu, Datu, and daughters, Amro and Anokhi.

  • Birthplace: Mate di Sarai, March 31, 1504
  • Guru gadee: Kartarpur, September 7, 1539
  • Place of death: Khadur, March 29, 1552
  • Age: 48

Guru Angad Dev - Tradition of Langar

3. Guru Amar Das

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

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

  • Birthplace: Basarke (Amritsar) May 5, 1479
  • Guru gadee: Kahdur, March 26, 1552
  • Place of death: Goindwal, September 1, 1574
  • Age: 95

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

4. Guru Raam Das

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

Raam Das began the excavation of the Sarovar in Amritsar.
Son of: Hardaas ji Sodhi and Mata Daya Kaur ji.
Married to: Bhani ji.
Father to: sons, Prithi Chand, Mahan Dev and Arjan Dev.

  • Birthplace: Chuna Mandi (Lahore, Pakistan) September 24, 1534
  • Guru gadee: Goindwal, September 1, 1574
  • Place of death: Goindwal, September 1, 1581
  • Age: 47

Gru Raam Das - The History of Keeping Up
Guru Raam Das - Virtue of Humility

5. Guru Arjan Dev

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

Arjan Dev erected the Golden Temple (Harmimandir sahib) in Armitsar, compiled and contributed to Adi Granth, 1604.[br] Son of: Guru Ram das and Ji Mata Bhani ji.
Married to: Ganga ji.
Father to: one son, Hargobind.

  • Birthplace: Goindwal, April 14, 1563
  • Guru gadee: Goindwal, September 1, 1581
  • Place of death: Lahore, May, 30 1606
  • Martyred age: 43

Guru Arjan - Martyr, Architect and Poet
Guru Arjan - History of Harmandir Sahib

6. Guru Har Gobind

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

Har Gobind wore two swords, symbolizing both secular and spiritual authority.
Son of: Guru Arjan and Mata Ganga.
Married to: Damodri ji, Nankee ji and Mahan Devi ji.
Father to: sons, Gurditta, Ani Rai, Suraj Mall, Atal Rai, Teg Bahadur, and daughter, Bibi Veero.

  • Birthplace: Guru ki Wadali (Amritsar), June 19, 1595
  • Guru gadee: Amritsar, May 25, or inagurated June 10 - 11 or 25, 1606
  • Place of death: Kiratpur, February 28, or March 3, 1644
  • Age: 49

Khanda the Sikh Emblem

7. Guru Har Rai

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

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).
Father to: sons, Ram Rai and Har Krishan.

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

8. Guru Har Krishan (Harkishan)

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

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 (Hoshiarpur), July 7,1656
  • Guru gadee: Kiratpur, June 10, July 7, or October 6 - 7, 1661
  • Place of death: Delhi, March 30, 1664
  • Age: 8

9. Guru Tegh Bahudur

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

Tegh Bahudur 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
  • Guru gadee: Baba Bakala, March 20, 1665
  • Place of death: Delhi, November 11, 1675
  • Martyred age: 54

10. Guru Gobind Singh

Ten GurusPhoto © [Angel Originals]

Gobind Singh created and initiated Khalsa. He sacrificed his father, mother, four sons and ultimately his own life, to protect Sikhs from Moghul forces bent on forced conversion to Islam, finished compiling and bestowed gadee to Siri Guru Granth Sahib.
Son of Guru Teg Bahadur and Mata Gurjri ji.
Married to Jito ji (Ajit Kaur), Sundri ji and Sahib Kaur.
Father to sons, Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh.

  • Birthplace: Patna Sahib (Bihar) December 22, 1666
  • Guru gadee: Anandpur, November 11, 1675
  • Place of death: Nanderh, October 7, 1708
  • Age: 42

Guru Gobind Singh - Vaisakhi History and Holiday
Guru Gobind Singh - What it means to be Khalsa

Explore Sikhism

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Sikhism
  4. Ten Gurus
  5. Ten Gurus of Sikh History - A Timeline of the Ten Gurus

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.