The Ten Sikh Gurus: A Divine Legacy
| Guru | Lifespan | Contemporaries | Major Contributions & Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guru Nanak Dev Ji | 1469–1539 | Babur (1526–1530) | Founded Sikhism; enlightenment (1499); four Udasis; started Langar; appointed Guru Angad (1539). |
| Guru Angad Dev Ji | 1504–1552 | Humayun (1530–1556) | Developed Gurmukhi script; expanded Langar; established Khadur Sahib; appointed Guru Amar Das (1552). |
| Guru Amar Das Ji | 1479–1574 | Akbar (1556–1605) | Manji system; Anand Karaj; banned Sati; built Goindwal Baoli; appointed Guru Ram Das (1574). |
| Guru Ram Das Ji | 1534–1581 | Akbar (1556–1605) | Founded Amritsar (1577); composed Laavan hymns; appointed Guru Arjan (1581). |
| Guru Arjan Dev Ji | 1563–1606 | Akbar (1556–1605), Jahangir (1605–1627) | Compiled Adi Granth (1604); built Harmandir Sahib; martyred by Jahangir (1606). |
| Guru Hargobind Ji | 1595–1644 | Jahangir (1605–1627), Shah Jahan (1628–1658) | Miri-Piri; built Akal Takht; fought battles; freed from Gwalior (1626); appointed Guru Har Rai (1644). |
| Guru Har Rai Ji | 1630–1661 | Shah Jahan (1628–1658), Aurangzeb (1658–1707) | Focused on peace and missionary work; aided Dara Shikoh; appointed Guru Har Krishan (1661). |
| Guru Har Krishan Ji | 1656–1664 | Aurangzeb (1658–1707) | Became Guru at 5; healed smallpox victims in Delhi; died at 7 (1664); indicated Guru Tegh Bahadur. |
| Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji | 1621–1675 | Aurangzeb (1658–1707) | Founded Anandpur Sahib; martyred defending Kashmiri Pandits (1675); appointed Guru Gobind Singh. |
| Guru Gobind Singh Ji | 1666–1708 | Aurangzeb (1658–1707), Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712) | Founded Khalsa (1699); compiled Guru Granth Sahib; declared it eternal Guru (1708); died from wounds. |