Sikhism Gurus and Historical Figures

The Ten Gurus of Sikh History

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 everlasting successor, Sikhism's holy scripture:

• Siri Guru Granth Sahib.

Read more:
All About The Guru Granth, Sikhism's Holy Scripture

Authors of Guru Granth Sahib

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

Read more:
What is the Significance of Raag in Gurbani?
Raag, Melodious Hue

Influential Women in Sikh History

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

Famous Men in the History of Sikhism

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

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)

Read more:
The Sikh Initiation Ceremony Illustrated
The History of Sikh Baptism

Shaheed Martyrs of Sikh History

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 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.

Repentant Converts

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

• Sajjan Thug
• Bidhi Chand
• Banda Bahadar

Historic Enemies of 10 Gurus and Sikhism

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

• Datu
• Prithi Chand
• Ram Rai
• Dhir Mal

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

• Aurangzeb
• Ahmad Shah Durrani

Anti-Sikh Indian Government Officials

Twentieth-century Indian government officials who terrorized Sikhs include:

• Indira Gandhi
• Jagdish Kapoor Tytler
• Kamal Nath
• Sajjan Kumar
• Beant Singh

Read more:
Baba Bakala and the 22 Impostors