Influential Women in Sikh History

The elder sister of Guru Nanak Dev, Bibi Nanaki was the first to recognize her brother’s devout nature and accepted him as her guru. She supported her brother in his quest to know the divine. Bibi Nanaki fostered the spiritual relationship between Guru Nanak and his minstrel companion Mardana. She encouraged Guru Nanak’s endeavors to spread the message of a creator who is one with all of creation through his poetry, and provided musical instruments so that Mardana might accompany Guru Nanak when he sang his devotional compositions in the style known as kirtan.

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The youngest daughter of Guru Amar Das third guru, Bibi Bhani became the wife of Guru Raam Das, fourth guru, and the Mother of Guru Arjun Dev fifth guru, and first of the Sikh gurus to be martyred. The sixth through tenth gurus were her direct descendants. Bibi Bhani dedicated her life and resources to the service of the gurus and Sikh community. The city of Amritsar was founded on a tract of land bestowed to Bibi Bhani as a wedding gift where:

• Bhani's husband Guru Raam Das began excavation of a sarovar, or sacred pool.
• Bhani's son Guru Arjun Dev built Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib, commonly known as the Golden Temple.
• Bhani's grandson Guru Har Govind built the Akal Takhat, the foremost seat of religious authority in Sikhism.

The father of Sahib Devi publicly promised her in marriage to Guru Gobind Singh without the Guru's prior consent. To protect her honor, the Guru accepted the girl as his spiritual consort and gave her a place in his household. When she begged him for a child of her own to love, the Guru initiated her into the Khalsa order and prosmised to make her the mothor of an entire spiritual nation.  Sahib Devi drank the immortal nectar of Amrit and became known as Mata Sahib Kaur Khalsa. She stayed at the Guru's side for the remainder of his life. Mata Sahib Kaur is forever revered as the mother of the Khalsa. Upon drinking Amrit, all who are initiated and reborn as Khalsa are considered to be the children of Mata Sahib Kaur and Guru Gobind Singh.