THE TEN SIKH GURUS
Lives, Teachings & Legacy • 1469 – 1708240 years of divine guidance through ten human Gurus, culminating in the eternal Guru Granth Sahib
OVERVIEW
Sikhism was guided by ten human Gurus over a period of approximately 240 years — from the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469 to the passing of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708. Each Guru built upon the teachings of his predecessor, expanding the Sikh community, refining its institutions, and deepening its spiritual tradition. Together, the ten Gurus shaped Sikhism into the global religion it is today.
The word “Guru” in Sikhism means more than teacher — it refers to the divine light that passes from one Guru to the next, like a flame passing between candles. Sikhs believe that all ten Gurus shared the same divine spirit, the same spiritual light that originated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared that this light would henceforth reside eternally in the Guru Granth Sahib — the sacred scripture that serves as the living Guru of the Sikhs to this day.
Quick reference list
- Guru 1: Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 – 1539) — Founder of Sikhism
- Guru 2: Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504 – 1552) — Developed the Gurmukhi script
- Guru 3: Guru Amar Das Ji (1479 – 1574) — Institutionalized Langar and social equality
- Guru 4: Guru Ram Das Ji (1534 – 1581) — Founded the city of Amritsar
- Guru 5: Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563 – 1606) — Compiled the Guru Granth Sahib; first Sikh martyr
- Guru 6: Guru Hargobind Ji (1595 – 1644) — Wore two swords — Miri and Piri
- Guru 7: Guru Har Rai Ji (1630 – 1661) — Known for compassion, nature, and healing
- Guru 8: Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji (1656 – 1664) — The child Guru — became Guru at age 5
- Guru 9: Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621 – 1675) — Martyred defending religious freedom for all
- Guru 10: Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666 – 1708) — Founded the Khalsa; declared Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru
