Study Guide · Chapter 28
6.2 The Sikhs
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6.2 The Sikhs
Guru Tradition
- Founded by Guru Nanak Dev (1469–1539 CE), first of the Ten Sikh Gurus; preached monotheism (Nirguna, formless God — "Ik Onkar"), rejected caste and ritualism; institutions like Langar (community kitchen, free meals for all regardless of caste/religion) trace to his teachings.
| Guru | Period (approx.) | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Guru Nanak Dev | 1469–1539 | Founder of Sikhism |
| Guru Angad Dev | 1539–1552 | Developed Gurmukhi script |
| Guru Amar Das | 1552–1574 | Institutionalized Langar system further; opposed Sati |
| Guru Ram Das | 1574–1581 | Founded the city of Amritsar |
| Guru Arjan Dev | 1581–1606 | Compiled the Adi Granth (predecessor of Guru Granth Sahib); built the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar; executed by Jahangir (1606) |
| Guru Hargobind | 1606–1644 | Introduced militarization — concept of "Miri-Piri" (temporal and spiritual authority combined); built the Akal Takht |
| Guru Har Rai | 1644–1661 | — |
| Guru Har Krishan | 1661–1664 | Died young (smallpox) |
| Guru Tegh Bahadur | 1664–1675 | Executed by Aurangzeb (1675) for defending religious freedom |
| Guru Gobind Singh | 1675–1708 | Founded the Khalsa Panth (1699 CE); gave the "Five Ks"; declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal, final Guru (Guru-ship ended with him, 1708 CE) |
- Khalsa Panth (1699 CE): Founded by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi day — a militarized, disciplined Sikh community/order; members took the surname "Singh" (for men, meaning lion) and "Kaur" (for women, meaning princess); adopted the "Five Ks" (Kesh — uncleared hair, Kangha — comb, Kara — steel bracelet, Kachera — cotton undergarment, Kirpan — sword/dagger).
- Guru Gobind Singh declared the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy scripture, compiled originally by Guru Arjan Dev and later expanded) as the final and eternal Guru, ending the line of living human Gurus (1708 CE).
Sikh Militarization and the Sikh Confederacy (Misls)
- Banda Singh Bahadur — a disciple appointed by Guru Gobind Singh; led a major Sikh military uprising against Mughal authority in Punjab after the Guru's death, capturing Sirhind (avenging the execution of Guru Gobind Singh's young sons there) around 1710 CE; eventually captured and executed by the Mughals in 1716 CE.
- Following decades of conflict with declining Mughal authority and Afghan invasions (Ahmad Shah Abdali), the Sikhs organized into the "Misl" system — a confederacy of roughly 12 independent Sikh military bands/chiefdoms (Misls) controlling different parts of Punjab by the mid-to-late 18th century, loosely coordinated through the "Sarbat Khalsa" (general assembly) and the "Gurmata" (collective resolution) at Amritsar.
- This Misl confederacy phase eventually gave way, by the early 19th century, to the unification of Punjab under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (founder of the Sikh Empire, beyond this note's 1757 cut-off).
Key Facts / Quick Revision Points — Sikhs
- Guru Nanak — founder (1469-1539); Guru Angad — Gurmukhi script; Guru Ram Das — founded Amritsar.
- Guru Arjan Dev — compiled Adi Granth, built Golden Temple; executed by Jahangir (1606).
- Guru Hargobind — Miri-Piri concept, Akal Takht.
- Guru Tegh Bahadur executed by Aurangzeb (1675).
- Guru Gobind Singh — founded Khalsa (1699); Five Ks; Guru Granth Sahib declared eternal Guru (1708).
- Banda Singh Bahadur — led post-Guru Sikh military resistance; executed 1716.
- Misl system — 12 Sikh confederate chiefdoms, 18th century; later unified by Ranjit Singh.
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