Sikh Empire - Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh

The Sikh faith and its eventual political power emerged from the teachings of the ten Gurus and the formation of the Khalsa.

Guru Nanak (1469–1539)

Founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak preached the oneness of God, equality of all humans, rejection of caste and ritual, and honest living. His travels (udasis) spanned India, the Middle East, and Central Asia. He established the langar (community kitchen) and the concept of seva (selfless service). His hymns were compiled later into the Guru Granth Sahib.

Successive Gurus

• Guru Angad (1539–1552): Developed Gurmukhi script, compiled Nanak’s teachings.
• Guru Amar Das (1552–1574): Institutionalized langar, condemned sati and purdah.
• Guru Ram Das (1574–1581): Founded the city of Amritsar, began construction of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).
• Guru Arjan Dev (1581–1606): Compiled the Adi Granth (early form of Guru Granth Sahib), completed Harmandir Sahib. Executed by Jahangir on charges of supporting rebellious prince Khusrau; his martyrdom was a turning point.
• Guru Hargobind (1606–1644): Introduced militarization – wore two swords (Miri and Piri), built Akal Takht (throne of the temporal authority).
• Subsequent Gurus (Har Rai, Har Krishan, Tegh Bahadur) continued the martial and spiritual traditions. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by Aurangzeb in 1675 for defending religious freedom.

Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa

Guru Gobind Singh (1675–1708) organized the Sikhs into a militant community. In 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, he founded the Khalsa – the brotherhood of initiated Sikhs who took the name Singh (men) and Kaur (women). The Five Ks (Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kirpan, Kachhera) became symbols of identity. He declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru before his death.

The military transformation enabled the Sikhs to become a major political force in the 18th century.