🕉️ Chapter 08 · Topic 04 · Religions of India

Sikhism

Ten Gurus, Guru Granth Sahib, Five Ks (Panj Kakars), Golden Temple, Khalsa, key beliefs and practices — complete UPSC & PSC notes.

🙏 Overview of Sikhism

Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the late 15th century CE in the Punjab region
The word “Sikh” means disciple or learner
Approximately 25–30 million followers worldwide — fifth largest religion
Key beliefs: monotheism (one God — Waheguru/Ik Onkar); equality of all humans; service (seva); honest living; meditation on God’s name (Naam Japna)
Rejects caste discrimination, idol worship, and rituals without meaning
Sacred scripture: Guru Granth Sahib — treated as the living Guru

👑 Ten Gurus of Sikhism

Guru	Period	Key Contribution
1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji	1469–1539	Founder; “Ik Onkar” (One God); composed Japji Sahib; established Kartarpur
2. Guru Angad Dev Ji	1539–1552	Developed Gurmukhi script; compiled Guru Nanak’s hymns
3. Guru Amar Das Ji	1552–1574	Abolished purdah; established langar (community kitchen); Anand Sahib
4. Guru Ram Das Ji	1574–1581	Founded Amritsar; composed Lavan (wedding hymns)
5. Guru Arjan Dev Ji	1581–1606	Compiled Adi Granth; built Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib); first Sikh martyr (executed by Jahangir)
6. Guru Hargobind Ji	1606–1644	Militarised Sikhism; wore two swords (Miri-Piri); built Akal Takht
7. Guru Har Rai Ji	1644–1661	Maintained Sikh army; peaceful period
8. Guru Har Krishan Ji	1661–1664	Youngest Guru (age 5); died of smallpox while serving the sick
9. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji	1665–1675	Defended Kashmiri Pandits’ right to religion; executed by Aurangzeb; “Hind di Chadar”
10. Guru Gobind Singh Ji	1675–1708	Founded Khalsa (1699); Five Ks; declared Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru; Dasam Granth

⭐ Khalsa and Five Ks (Panj Kakars): Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa on Baisakhi 1699 CE at Anandpur Sahib. The Five Ks (Panj Kakars) are the articles of faith worn by initiated Sikhs: (1) Kesh — uncut hair; (2) Kangha — wooden comb; (3) Kara — steel bracelet; (4) Kachera — cotton undergarment; (5) Kirpan — steel sword. These symbolise commitment to the Sikh faith and readiness to defend righteousness.

📌 Guru Granth Sahib: The eternal and living Guru of the Sikhs. Compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1604 CE) as the Adi Granth. Guru Gobind Singh Ji added hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur and declared it the eternal Guru in 1708. Contains hymns by Sikh Gurus, Hindu saints (Kabir, Ravidas, Namdev), and Muslim saints (Sheikh Farid). Written in Gurmukhi script. Treated with the same reverence as a living Guru — given a throne (palki), fanned, and put to rest at night.

✅ Revision Checklist — Sikhism

✅ Sikhism = founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji = late 15th century = Punjab
✅ “Sikh” = disciple/learner; Waheguru/Ik Onkar = one God
✅ Guru Nanak = 1469–1539 = founder = Kartarpur
✅ Guru Angad = developed Gurmukhi script
✅ Guru Ram Das = founded Amritsar
✅ Guru Arjan Dev = compiled Adi Granth = built Golden Temple = first Sikh martyr (Jahangir)
✅ Guru Hargobind = two swords (Miri-Piri) = Akal Takht = militarised Sikhism
✅ Guru Tegh Bahadur = defended Kashmiri Pandits = executed by Aurangzeb = “Hind di Chadar”
✅ Guru Gobind Singh = founded Khalsa (1699) = Five Ks = declared Guru Granth Sahib eternal Guru
✅ Five Ks = Kesh + Kangha + Kara + Kachera + Kirpan
✅ Guru Granth Sahib = compiled by Guru Arjan Dev = contains hymns of Sikh Gurus + Hindu + Muslim saints