Sikhism Gurus and Historical Figures
A succession of ten gurus developed and established the tenets of Sikhism. The famous people and important leaders of Sikh history include influential women, fearless warriors, and countless brave and heroic martyrs who stood fast for their faith when confronted with infamous tyrannical villains.
The Ten Gurus of Sikh History
Ten spiritual masters and founders of Sikhism developed the tenets of Sikh beliefs, establishing principles and precepts of faith over a period of three centuries:
- First Guru Nanak Dev
- Second Guru Angad Dev
- Third Guru Amar Das
- Fourth Guru Raam Das
- Fifth Guru Arjun Dev
- Sixth Guru Har Govind
- Seventh Guru Har Rai
- Eighth Guru Har Krishan
- Ninth Guru Teg Bahadar
- Tenth Guru Gobind Singh
The tenth guru bequeathed his throne to, and named as his everlasting successor, Sikhism's holy scripture:
- Siri Guru Granth Sahib.
All About The Guru Granth, Sikhism's Holy Scripture
Authors of Guru Granth Sahib
Written in raag of the Indian classical music system, the collective works of 43 authors compile the 1430 page poetic scripture of Guru Granth Sahib including that of:
- Four devout Sikhs
- Seven of the ten Gurus
- Fifteen Bhagats, holy men of Islam and Hinduism
- Seventeen Bhatts, minstrels of the Gurus' court
What is the Significance of Raag in Gurbani?
Raag, Melodious Hue
Influential Women in Sikh History
Sisters, wives, daughters, and mothers of the Gurus are among the women who played important and influential roles in helping to develop Sikhism, establish and protect its honored traditions:
- Bibi Nanaki
- Mata Khivi
- Bibi Bhani
- Mata Gujri
- Mata Sahib Kaur
- Warrior Princess Mai Bhago
Famous Men in the History of Sikhism
Important historical figures and famous men in the history of Sikhism include supporters of the gurus and the growing Sikh faith, scholars, scribes, mystics, and heroic warriors who fought bravely in battle against overwhelming odds:
- Rai Bular Bhatti
- Mardana (1459 - 1534)
- Kirpal Chand
- Bhai Bidhi Chand Chhina
- Makhan Shah the Sea Merchant (1619 - 1647)
- Bhai Kanhaiya (1648 - 1718)
- Joga Singh of Peshawar
Panj Pyare the Five Beloved of Sikh History
Five volunteers gave their heads in response to a call made by Tenth Guru Gobind Singh during the first Khalsa initiation. They became known as the five beloved administrators of the immortal nectar amrit:
- Bhai Daya Singh (1661 - 1708)
- Bahi Dharam Singh (1699 - 1708)
- Bhai Himmat Singh (1661 - 1705)
- Bhai Muhkam Singh (1663 - 1705)
- Bhai Sahib Singh (1662 - 1705)
The Sikh Initiation Ceremony Illustrated
The History of Sikh Baptism. Shaheed Martyrs of Sikh History
Baba Moti Ram Mehra ji, Fatehgarh sahib serving milk to Mata Gujri ji and Chote sahebzade - Baba Zorawar singh ji & Baba Fateh singh ji. (Pushpinder Rangru/Wikimedia Commons/CC ASA 4.0)
Countless courageous shaheed martyrs who held fast to their beliefs and never faltered even when subjected to the most merciless torture at the hands of their enemies include gurus, their families, Khalsa warriors, Sikh men, Sikh women, even Sikh children and infants:
- Shaheed Martyr Guru Arjun Dev (1606)
- Shaheed Martyr Guru Teg Bahadar (1675)
- Four Martyred Sons of Guru Gobind Singh (1705)
- Martyr Mata Gujri, Mother of Guru Gobind Singh (1705)
- Shaheed Martyr Banda Singh Bahadar (1716)
- Shaheed Martyr Bhai Mani Singh (1737)
- Shaheed Martyr Bhai Taru Singh (1745)
- Shaheedi Mothers, Martyrs of Lahore (1752)
- Shaheed Martyr Baba Deep Singh (1757)
- Martyrs of Lesser and Greater Sikh Holocausts (1746 & 1762)
- Shaheed Martyr Gurbakhsh Singh (1688 - 1764)
- Saka Nankana Mahant Massacre Martyrs (1921)
- Panja Sahib Shaheed, Train Station Martyrs (1922)
- Darbar Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) Massacre (1984)
- Delhi Massacre Martyrs(1984)
Villains of Sikh History
Tricksters, imposters, occult masters, warlords, religious leaders, and government officials are among the traitorous, treacherous tyrannical villains who opposed, imprisoned, terrorized, tortured and martyred the gurus and Sikhs. Inspired by the gurus, some repentant miscreants mended their ways, but others continually harassed and brutalized innocent Sikhs.
Repentant Converts
Among those mischief makers who altered their lives to join the guru's service are:
- Sajjan Thug
- Bidhi Chand
- Banda Bahadar
Historic Enemies of 10 Gurus and Sikhism
Jealousy motivated schemes and plots by family members who hoped to become guru and were passed over in favor of a more spiritual candidate:
- Datu
- Prithi Chand
- Ram Rai
- Dhir Mal
Members of the Mughal dynasty and other Islamic rulers conspired to annihilate Sikhs including:
- Aurangzeb
- Ahmad Shah Durrani
Anti-Sikh Indian Government Officials
Twentieth-century Indian government officials who terrorized Sikhs include:
- Indira Gandhi
- Jagdish Kapoor Tytler
- Kamal Nath
- Sajjan Kumar
- Beant Singh
By Sukhmandir Khalsa
https://www.learnreligions.com/