Guru 1
The first of the Gurus and the founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak. He was born at Talwandi (now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan) on October 20, 1469. Guru ji mastered Punjabi, Sanskrit and Persian at an early age and in childhood revolted against ritualism, caste, prejudices, hypocrisy and idolatry. He regarded Hindus and Muslims as equals and referred to himself as neither Hindu nor Muslim but as a brother to all those who believed in God and truth. He made four great journeys, travelling to all parts of India, and into Arabia and Persia; visiting Mecca and Baghdad. He spoke before Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Parsees, and Muslims.
Guru 2
He was born in 1504. Guru Angad invented and introduced the Gurmukhi (written form of Punjabi) script and made it known to all Sikhs. The scripture of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written in Gurmukhi. He took great interest in the education of the children by opening many schools for their instruction. For the youth he started the tradition of Mall Akhara, where physical as well as spiritual exercises were held. He also wrote 63 Saloks (stanzas) included in Guru Granth Sahib. He popularized and expanded the institution of 'Guru ka Langar' started by Guru Nanak Sahib earlier.
Guru 3
He was born in 1479. Guru Amardas took up cudgels of spirituality to fight against caste restrictions and the curse of untouchability. He strengthened the tradition of the free kitchen, Guru Ka Langar, and made his disciples — whether rich or poor, high born or low born — have their meals together. He introduced the Anand Karaj marriage ceremony for the Sikhs, replacing the Hindu form. He also abolished the custom of Sati amongst the Sikhs, and did away with the Paradah (veil) custom for women.
Guru 4
He was born in 1534. Guru ji founded the city of Amritsar and started the construction of the famous Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs. He requested the Muslim Sufi, Mian Mir, to lay the cornerstone of the Harmandir Sahib. The temple remains open on all sides and at all times to everyone. The standard Sikh marriage ceremony, Anand Karaj, is centered around the Lawan — a four stanza hymn composed by Guru Ram Das ji.
Guru 5
He was born in 1563. He compiled the Adi Granth, the scriptures of the Sikhs, and wrote the Sukhmani Sahib. To make it a universal teaching, Guru ji included in it hymns of Muslim saints as well as those of low-caste pariah saints. Guru Arjan Dev completed construction of Sri Darbar Sahib — the Golden Temple — in Amritsar. Guru ji became the first great martyr in Sikh history when Emperor Jahangir ordered his execution.
Guru 6
He was born in 1595 and was known as a "soldier saint." Guru Hargobind ji organised a small army, explaining that extreme non-violence would only encourage evil — thus the principles of Miri-Piri were established. Guru ji taught that it was necessary to take up the sword to protect the weak and oppressed. At the age of 13, he erected Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and adorned two swords — Miri and Piri — representing temporal and spiritual power.
Guru 7
He was born in 1630 and spent most of his life in devotional meditation and preaching the teachings of Guru Nanak. Although a man of peace, he never disbanded the armed Sikh Warriors maintained by his grandfather Guru Hargobind. He always boosted the military spirit of the Sikhs, but never indulged in direct armed controversy with the Mughal Empire. He continued the grand task of nation building initiated by Guru Hargobind.
Guru 8
He was born in 1656 and was the youngest of the Gurus. Installed as Guru at the age of five, Guru ji astonished the Brahmin Pundits with his knowledge and spiritual powers. He gave his life while serving and healing the epidemic-stricken people in Delhi, attending to sufferers irrespective of caste and creed. The local Muslim population was much impressed with his purely humanitarian deeds and nicknamed him Bala Pir (child prophet).
Guru 9
He was born in 1621 in Amritsar and established the town of Anandpur. The Guru laid down his life for the protection of the Hindu religion, their Tilak and their sacred thread. He was a firm believer in the right of people to the freedom of worship. Because of his refusal to convert to Islam, a threatened forced conversion of the Hindus of Kashmir was thwarted. He faced martyrdom for the defence of the down-trodden.
Guru 10
He was born in 1666 and became Guru after the martyrdom of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur. He created the Khalsa (The Pure Ones) in 1699, changing the Sikhs into a saint-soldier order. He gave the Sikhs the name Singh (lion) or Kaur (princess). He fought many battles against Aurangzeb's armies. After losing his father, mother and four sons to Mughal tyranny, he wrote his famous Zafarnama. On 3 October 1708, he appointed Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru: "Let all bow before my successor, Guru Granth. The Word is the Guru now."
Guru 11
Guru Granth Sahib (also known as the Adi Granth) is the living scripture of the Sikhs. No Sikh ceremony is regarded as complete unless performed in its presence. Written in Gurmukhi script, it contains the actual words and verses as uttered by the Sikh Gurus. It is considered the Supreme Spiritual Authority and Head of the Sikh religion. It also contains the writings of people of other faiths — the only scripture of its kind. It is universal in its scope, intended for everybody, everywhere.