Guru Nanak
Nanak started the Sikh Religion, he gave Lehna the name “Angad” which means myself. This was important because all the Gurus who came after Guru Nanak sometimes called themselves “Nanak. This was to show that they were guided by the same spirit.
Guru Angad
He believed in Physical fitness and Sikhs were encouraged to exercise and compete in games. His greatest contribution was to collect the Hymns of Guru Nanak and make them easier to understand by writing them in the Gurmukhi script, as they are written today.
Guru Amar Das
He was visited by the Emperor Akbar, who was asked to sit on the floor and eat a meal with the other visitors. Guru Amar Das wrote the Anand Sahib which is said near the end of every service of worship.
Guru Ram Das
He built up the Sikhs by sending teachers to distant parts. Guru Ram Das established a city where he built a pool. This city later became Amritsar, Pool of Nectar, the centre of the Sikh faith.
Guru Arjan Dev
He had a temple built in centre of the pool at Amritsar. This temple is known today as the Golden Temple. Guru Arjan is most famous for collecting together the hymns of the first four Gurus and other writers. He added some of his own and these became the Adi Granth, which means “first collection”. These are the Sikh scriptures. He was persecuted by the new emperor, Jehangir, and became a martyr in 1606. One tradition says that he was roasted alive.
Guru Hargovind
Guru Arjans son was Guru Hargovind. He carried out his fathers wishes by wearing two swords, one representing spiritual power and the other authority over our mortal world. He trained the Sikhs to fight and constructed a fort at Amritsar.
Guru Har Rai
The grandson of Guru Hargovind. He tried to live in peace and spread Sikh teachings.
Guru Har Krishan
Guru Har Krishan was only five years old when he became Guru. He died of Small pox. He was the only Guru not to marry and have a family.
Guru Tegh Bahadur
The Emperor Aurangzeb, persecuted those who did not share his own beliefs. One story tells how the emperor threatened to kill some Hindus. They turned to Guru Tegh Bahadur for protection. He told them to tell the Emperor that they would change their beliefs if Guru Tegh Bahadur could be converted. The Guru was beheaded when he could not be persuaded. He is regarded as particularly important because he sacrificed his life for the beliefs of others.
Guru Govind Rai ( Guru Govind Singh )
Guru Govind Singh was the last of the Human Gurus. He Changed his name to Singh at the festival of Vaisaikhi in 1699. At his festival he also started the Khalsa and drew the sikhs together to fight the Emperor Aurangzeb.
The Ten Gurus
Guru Nanak (1469-1539)
Guru Angad (1504-52)
Guru Amar Das (1479-1574)
Guru Ram Das (1534-81)
Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606)
Guru Hargovind (1595-1644)
Guru Har Rai (1630-61)
Guru Har Krishan (1656-64)
Guru Tegh Bahadur ( 1621-75)
Guru Govind Rai (Singh) (1666-1708)