Gurbani and NitnemThe ten Sikh Gurus
From Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and the Guru Granth Sahib.
The Sikh tradition begins with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, born in 1469 in Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, in Pakistan). Ten Gurus in all gave the teaching shape over about two hundred and thirty years. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, declared before his passing in 1708 that after him the Guru would be the Guru Granth Sahib, the scripture, and the Khalsa Panth. The years below are those commonly given.
| Guru | Years | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Guru Nanak Dev Ji | 1469 to 1539 | Founder of Sikhism; Japji Sahib; the message of one God, honest work, sharing and remembering the Divine Name |
| Guru Angad Dev Ji | 1504 to 1552 | Popularised the Gurmukhi script and carried on the community kitchen (langar) begun by Guru Nanak Dev Ji |
| Guru Amar Das Ji | 1479 to 1574 | Anand Sahib; strengthened langar and the system of preaching centres (manjis) |
| Guru Ram Das Ji | 1534 to 1581 | Founded the city of Amritsar; composed hymns including the wedding hymns (Laavan) |
| Guru Arjan Dev Ji | 1563 to 1606 | Compiled the Adi Granth in 1604; Sukhmani Sahib; built Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) |
| Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji | 1595 to 1644 | Introduced the idea of spiritual and worldly authority together (miri-piri) and trained the Sikhs in arms |
| Guru Har Rai Ji | 1630 to 1661 | Known for compassion and for medical care for the sick |
| Guru Har Krishan Ji | 1656 to 1664 | The youngest Guru, who became Guru as a child and cared for the sick in Delhi |
| Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji | 1621 to 1675 | His hymns are in the Guru Granth Sahib; he gave his life defending the freedom of religion |
| Guru Gobind Singh Ji | 1666 to 1708 | Founded the Khalsa in 1699 and declared the Guru Granth Sahib to be the Guru after him |
Verses by the Gurus in daily banis
Japji Sahib is by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Anand Sahib is by Guru Amar Das Ji. Sukhmani Sahib is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Rehras Sahib and Kirtan Sohila gather verses of several Gurus. Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye and Chaupai Sahib are in the Dasam Granth and are attributed to Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the Sikh tradition. See the page for each bani.
This page gives general information in plain words. For how to practise, ask your granthi or a teacher at your gurdwara.