10 Gurus – Birth Dates, Gurgaddi, Joti Jot, Family, Gurbani Creation

10 Gurus of Sikh Faith: Sikhism is a devout religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev in the Punjab region of South Asia in the 15th century. It is the fifth-largest religion in the world in terms of the number of believers. The philosophy of Sikhism is called Gurmat which is based on the belief in God which is represented by an Oankaar (meaning one God). Sikhs do not believe in heaven or hell.

Before his death, Guru Nanak appointed one of his Sikhs as the second Guru and entrusted him with the task of guiding the Sikh community. This tradition continued till the Tenth Guru, Gobind Singh (1666-1708) who established the Khalsa on Baisakhi 1699 AD and gave a distinct identity to the Sikhs; He baptized five Sikhs and named them Panj Pyare, after which the Guru himself baptized them at his request. Guru Gobind Singh ended the tradition of appointing human successor by establishing Guru Granth Sahib on the highest seat and living Guru before ascending the Sach Khand.

A western thinker offers a befitting epithet each to the 10 Gurus as a mark of their distinct individualities considered in totality. The qualities applied to the Gurus may not be incorrect but they do not suggest any comprehensive representation of the Guru under reference. However, it would make interesting reading to note how each Guru is viewed :

Guru Nanak (humility);
Guru Angad Dev (Obedience);
Guru Amar Das (Equality);
Guru Ram Das (Service);
Guru Arjan Dev (Self-Sacrifice);
Guru Hargobind (Justice);
Guru Har Rai (Mercy);
Guru Har Krishan (Purity);
Guru Tegh Bahadur (Calmness);
Guru Gobind Singh (Royal Courage).

In tradition, the words Birth, and Death are less likely to be used for Sikh Gurus. A Sikh firmly believes that his Guru is never born, and never dies. So we use the words Parkash and Joti Jot for Birth and Death of Physical Embodiment of Gurus. Starting from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469, Guruship remained till the ascension of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708. We have Prepared a List for 10 Gurus – Their Birth, Birth Place, Ascension – Date & Place of Joti Jot.

List of 10 Gurus – Their Real Names before Guruship, Parents Detail, Mahal (Spouse Name), and Detail of Children. Gurus have been married once mostly except Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Guru Har Rai Ji, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. All Added from First Nanak to 10th Nanak, Gurughar bore 27 Children. 6 of them were given Gurgaddi, rest has their own places in history.

It is not appropriate to call Sri Guru Granth Sahib as Holy Book of Sikhs as It has been established as the living Guru of Sikhs. Sri Guru Granth Sahib was first compiled as Pothi Sahib by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji with the inclusion of Gurbani created by 5 Gurus. Baani of 9th Guru and 1 Shloka of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji were later added while re-compiling the Aadi Granth as Damdami Bir by the 10th Master himself. Below is a List of Gurus with Detail of the Number of Shabads or Shlokas written by them that are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji founded the Sikh faith. He proclaimed the divine word for the indivisible nature of god ‘Ik Oankar’ and gave the world lofty “Mool Mantar”

Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji created and Introduced the Gurmukhi Script. He started the tradition of “Mall Akhada” and expanded the institution of Langar.

He took up cudgels against the restrictions placed by the caste system and the custom of purdah. He introduced new customs for birth and death ceremonies.

Guru Ka Chak or Ram Dass Pura which later became the focal point for the Sikh Tradition with the name Amritsar Sahib was founded by the Fourth Master.

Guru Arjan compiled the Adi Granth or Pothi Sahib, completed the construction of Harmandir Sahib, and became the first martyr in the Sikh Tradition.

He was the first Saint Soldier among Sikh Gurus. Took up 2 swords of Miri and Piri, constructed Akal Takht – a symbolic of Raj Satta and Throne of the Eternal God.

Devoted himself to further spreading the teachings of Guru Nanak, and excommunicated his son Ram Rai from Sikhi for manipulating a word of Gurbani in from of Aurangzeb.

Bala Preetam Guru Ji enabled a mute person to translate the Gita, and left his body at a very young age while healing the people of Delhi during the Chickenpox pandemic.

Guru Ji established Anandpur Sahib – the Haven of Bliss. He made supreme sacrifice to protect the Hindus, and accepted execution instead of converting to Islam.

Guru Gobind Singh re-created Adi Granth and passed Guruship to Guru Granth Sahib, Established Khalsa Panth, and fought many wars, Sacrificed his 4 children to the faith.

Below is the list of Sikh Gurus alongside the contemporary throned King at the high seat of Delhi.