Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak

brief history Of Guru Nanak Ji

Sikhism or the Sikh religion emerged during the early 16th century in the state of Punjab in North India. The founder of this faith was Guru Nanak.

According to Nanak, the basic teachings of both faiths, Hinduism & Islam were essentially the same. Nanak attracted numerous followers and came to be known as a Guru or a teacher. Nanak's disciples came together to form a new spiritual tradition called Sikhism.

Thhe teachings of Guru Nanak are incorporated in the 'Guru Granth Sahib', the Holy Book of the Sikhs. The fifth Guru, Guru Arjun Dev built the Golden Temple at Amritsar. The tenth Guru, Gobind Singh imparted military training to the Sikhs to help them defend themselves. The members of the new brotherhood were instructed to wear the five symbols (the five Ks )- uncut hair, a comb, a steel wrist guard, a sword and breeches. The initiated men took the name 'Singh' ( Lion ) and the women 'Kaur' (Princess). The Guru also decided to terminate the succession of gurus and was thus the last of the Sikh Gurus.

Sikhism propounds monotheism, i.e. worship of one God. It also opposes the caste system and believes that all men are equal. Today, many Sikh practices are common amongst to Hindus. Inter-marriages between the two communities are also common. Sikhs have become a distinct element in the configuration of the Indian religious tradition and the Indian society