RELI 2750 A

SIKHISM
College of the Humanities
Carleton University

OUTLINE OF THE COURSE

1. Lives of the Sikh Gurus

2 GURU GRANTH SAHIB - Sikh Scripture

3. Teachings of Sikhism, Way of Life, Sikh Institutions

4. Sikhs in Canada:

Arrival, Settlement, Issues & Concerns, Komagata Maru

EXAMINATIONS/TERM PAPER

1. In Class Examination [1.5 Hours ]

2. In Class Examination [1.5 Hours]

3. Final Exam [1.5 Hours]

GURU NANAK
[1469-1539] -70 YRS
THE FOUNDER OF SIKHISM
Born:

Talwandi Rai Bhoi NANKANA SAHIB - India (now Pakistan)

FATHER: Mehta Kalu (b. 1440) Bedi; Patwari (Land Accountant)
MOTHER: Mata Tripta
Sister: Bibi Nanaki B. 1464; Married in 1475 to Jairam of Sultanpur
Married

in 1487 to Mata SULAKHNI

Two Sons: Baba Sri Chand (1494-1612) and Baba Lakhmi das (1487-1555)
Education:

Rukh-ed-Din: Arabic, Persian and Religion

Gopal Pandit: Arithmetic, Book keeping
Pt. Brijnath: Sanskrit, Music , Religion

Early

Life
Farmer 1485-1504)
5

begins to ask questions about Life

Pandit teaches for a day
9 Maivi teaches for a day
9 THREAD Ceremony Declined
12 Married
19 Wife joins in Sultanpur
1504-7 Stays in Sutanpur
7

GURU NANAK ......

Calling
River Bein incident August, 1507 No (ko) Hindu na Musalman

Journeys of Guru Nanak1507-1521

1st

Udassi: 1507-1510 East, S. India and Ceylon

2nd Uddasi: 1510-1515
3rd Udassi: 1515-17: Himalayas, Tibet
4th Uddasi: 1517-1521 west, Mecca and Medina

KARTARPUR for 17 Years

Founded in 1521
1st Gurdwara (Dharmsala, Nanakpanthis), 1st Langar, 1st School.
Hymns composed: 974 in 19 raags
Major hymns: Japji, Asa di Var, Bara Mah, Sidh Gost

Wrote in Punjabi, Sanskrit, Persian and Lendhi

DIED in Kartarpur in 1539; appointed Bhai Lehna Guru Angad as successor.

READ: Cole & Sambhi p. 8-18 and Sutantar Singh p. 3-6

UDASIS OF GURU NANAK

MOOLMANTAR

Il est un, Son Nom est Vrit,

Il est le crteur de tous.
Il est sans peur, sans inimiti,
II est immortel, ternel,
Il existe par lui-mme, Par sa grace.

Ek onkar; Sat nam;

'Carta purakh; Nir
bhau; Nir vair; Akal
murat; Ajni saibhang;
Gurprasad.

There is One God.

He is the supreme truth.
He, the Creator,
Is without fear and without hate.
He, the Omnipresent,
Pervades the universe.
He is not born,
Nor does He die to be born again.
By His grace shalt thou worship Him.
Guru Granth Sahib, G.G.S. p.1

10

Moolmantar

These 8 words are the Sikh Creed;

Opening word of the Sikh scripture

Written by Guru Nanak

1st composition of the Sikh Religion

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FAMILY TREE OF GURU NANAK

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TEACHINGS OF GURU NANAK

Moolmantar: Read: Singh, P. 48-51

- Worship ONE God

Fatherhood of God
Brotherhood of Mankind
Meditate on Nam; Cole- p.89
Share your earnings Be charitable
Perform Noble deeds sewa; Singh-p.64
Shun caste, rituals, superstitions

Social Pillars of Sikhism {Nam Japo, vand chakko , kirat karo}: Singh p.63
Rules of Conduct: Submission to God Bhana, Family Life Grist, Humility, Charity ,
compassion, Justice
Evils to Shun: Kam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh Hankar; Singh-p.68-69
SOURCES FOR THE STUDY OF GURU NANAK
Janam sakhis, Guru Granth Sahib, Bhai Gurdas, Bhagat Ratanvali, Mehma Parkash,
Dabistan
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GURU ANGAD SAHIB

1504-1552 [35+13=48]
NANAK II
PROPHET OF DEVOTION

Before

coming to Guru Nanak was known as Bhai Lehna

Father : Baba Pheru
Mother: Mata Sabri (Mata Daya Kaur)
Born at Matae di Saraai, Ferozpur, moved to Harike and then settled in KHADUR,
Amritsar
Businessman by trade; Guru at the age of 35
Studied: Languages, Religion, Arithmetic and Sanskrit
Disciple of Mata and visited Jwalamukhi temple every year.
Marriage: Mata Khivi in 1519
Children : Baba Dasu (1524), Baba Dattu (1537), Bibi Amro (1532) and Bibi Anokhi (1535)
Meeting with Guru Nanak- Heard Joga singing Guru Nanaks hymn in 1532 and never left
him
Appointed successor in 1539 by Guru Nanak and called himself Nanak II
CONTRIBUTION
Authored 63 sholaks
Invented the Gurmukhi script and grammar
Finalized Japji with Guru Nanak and rewrote Guru Nanaks hymns
Instituted Langar
Visited by Hamayun
DIED: in 1552 after 13 years of Guruship
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FAMILY OF GURU ANGAD

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GURU AMARDAS SAHIB

1479-1574 [73+22=95]
NANAK III

Father: Baba Tej Bhan

Mother: Mata Lakho
Born in 1479 at Baserke
Married to Mata Mansa Devi in 1502
Children: Mohan (1521), Mohri (1522) Bibi Dani (!519) and Bibi Bhani (1534)
Business: Merchant and Farmer
Met Guru Angad after hearing Bibi Amro sing Guru Nanaks hymn.
Lived in Goindwal and became Guru in 1552
CONTRIBUTION:907 Hymns in 17 Raags
Banis: Anand Sahib
Inter caste marriages, Widow Marriage, No purdaha, no dowry, no satti, equality
of men and women, Sikh festivals (Diwali & Vasakhi melas), Establishment of
Manjis masands, collection of authentic hymns of previous two Gurus and
added his own
Built Baoli - 84 steps
Met Emperor Akbar
17

Established .....52 `Manjis`

A Manji is a centre of Administration and preaching

The head of a Manji is called a Masand collects daswand

(1/10) of income which a Sikh is supposed to donate for
Charity and brings it to the Guru

Formalized the gathering of the Sikhs at Amritsar at Vasakhi

and Dewali

Collected hymnsof previous Gurs and together with his own

wrote Mohan Pothis so called because his son Mohan
claimed these and projected himself as the fourth guru of
the Sikhs.
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FAMILY OF GURU AMARDAS

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GURU RAMDAS
1534-1581 [40+7=47]
NANAK IV

Born in 1534 at Choona Mandi, Lahore and was known as Bhai Jethi

Father: Baba Haridas

Mother: Mata Daya Kaur

Married to BIBI BHANI in 1553

Three children: Prithi Chand (1558), Mahadev (1560) and Arjan ( 1563)
Education: religion and Music

Sold: Boiled Grams for a living until he came to meet Guru Amardas in 1546

Became Guru in1574

CONTRIBUTIONS: Founded the city of Amritsar (1577), introduced Daswand.
Wrote 679 hyms in 29 Raags, introduced Lavans
Dug Sarovars of Amritsar and Santokhsar

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FAMILY OF GURU RAMDAS

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GURU ARJAN SAHIB

1563-1606 [18+25=43]
NANAK V

Parentage: Youngest son of Guru Amardas and Mata Bhani [Daughter, wife,
Mother, Grand Mother and Great Grand Mother of a Guru}
First Sikh Guru, Born in Goindwal in 1563
He had two older brothers : Prithi Chand and Mahadev

Education: Languages, Religion, History and Music

Married Mata Ganga in 1579 at the age of 16. His only child was Hargobind
(born in 1595)

Became Guru 1581: a scholar, administrator, an architect and a divine

CONRTIBUTION:
Composed 2218 hymns in 30 Raags in Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi and Lehndi
Author of Sukhmani hymn of Peace (spiritual)

Wrote the Sikh sacred Scripture in 1430 pages, constructed many

Gurdwaras including the (Golden Temple) Harmandir, Amritsar
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Compilation of the Sikh Scripture

Collected the hymns of all the previous
gurus, some saints and bards and rewrote it
in Gurmukhi
The work started in about 1600 and was
completed in 1604 [scribe Bhai Gurdas]
Built the Golden Temple, Amritsar started
in 1588 and finished in 1604

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Martyrdom: First Martyr of Sikhism also the First Guru to

be martyred (second was Nanak IX)

- Enemity of Prithi Chand

- Chandu Shaha
- Suahi Khan (because Muslims were converting to
Sikhism)
- Sheikh Sirhadi (Declared the Guru a Kafir and
wanted him to become a Muslim or death) din illahi

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GURU ARJAN SAHIB.....

Tells Baba Buddha to let Hargobind be armed

Guru Blessed Price Khusrau (brother of Jahangir)

Guru was visited by Akbar and Mian Mir a Sufi Saint

The fourth Mugal emperor of India, Jahangir, had Guru Arjan tortured and
put to Death see Tuzuk i Jhangiri [ also called the Tuzuk]

READ: Cole: p. 23-29

S. Singh p. 9-11

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REASONS FOR THE TORTURE OF GURU ARJAN SAHIB

1. Prithi Chand and his son Mehrban Prithi Chand wanted to become the
Guru of the Sikhs

2. Chandu Shah was angered because the Guru denied the betrothal of
Hargobind and Chandus daughter

3. Sulahi Khan wanted the Guru to halt the conversion of the Muslims to
Sikhism

Sheikh Sirhindi a leader of a Muslim sect; a revivalist of Islam. He

declared the Guru a Kafir and wanted him dead

Jahangir wanted him dead because he was under the impression that the
Guru was aiding Prince Khusrau against him (Jahangir)

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EXTRACT FROM WHEELER M.

THACKSTON THE JAHANGIRNAMA

27

ROGERS AND BEVERIDGE,

TUZUK-I-JAHANGIRI, VOL 1, P. 72-3

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FAMILY TREE OF GURU ARJAN

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GURU HARGOBIND SAHIB

1595-1644 [11+38=49]
NANAK VI

Born: 1595 at Wadali, Amritsar

Father: Guru Arjan

Mother: Mata Ganga

Uncle Prithi Chand and aunt Karmo tried to kill him several times

Trained in religious philosophy, languages, horse riding and weaponry

Battles: SEVEN battles [1628-1635] with Jahangir and Shah Jahan

Confined for about 2 years in Gwalior fort

Built the Akal Thakat Political capital of the Sikhs with Baba Buddha
and Bhai Gurdas

Gave the concept of MIRI-PIRI [Miri means temporal, Piri means spiritual]

Founded Kiratpur

Period of Guruship 38 years

Last 9 Years of his life in Kirat

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LIFE OF NANAK VI

Guru born in 1595; married in 1604; became Guru in 1606; built the Akal
Thakat in 1608; still under Jahangirs arrest order but nothing done; Guru
consolidates (raises army, gathers arms, builds fort, planning military
strength); reports of the increasing might reached Jahangir, Guru
arrested, jailed in Gwalior Fort for about 2 years; released with 52 other
chiefs; arrives ASR and lives quietly until death of Jahangir (1569-1627)

Travels in Punjab and Kashmir, builds Kiratpur

ShahJahan( 1592-1666) becomes emperor in 1627

Battles of the Guru: Amritsar, (1628), Hargobindpur (1629), Lahira (1630),

Gurusar (1631), Kartarpur (1634) and Kiratpur (?) and one other skirmish
(1621)

Moved to Kiratpur in 1634

During the last 5 years of his life lost 3 sons [wanted to appoint Gurditta
as the successor but he died in 1638

Appointed HAR RAI younger grand son as Nanak VII

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FAMILY TREE GURU HARGOBIND SAHIB

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GURU HAR RAI

1630-1666 [14+17=31]
NANAK VII

Father: Gurditta Mother: Mata Nihal Kaur

Born in Kiratpur, younger of two brothers [older brother

Dhirmal who took possession of Guru Granth Sahib and
declared himself as the guru]

Married Mata Krishan Kaur; two sons Ramrai and

HARKRISHAN

Following complaints of Dhirmal and Ulma summoned by

Aurangzeb (1618-1707) Guru sent his son Ramrai who
distorted the scripture; Guru never again met him;
Aurangzeb keeps Ramrai in court

Opens medical facilities free for all; opens missionary

centres and consolidated Sikh preachings.

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FAMILY OF GURU HARRAI

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GURU HARKRISHAN
1656-1664 [5+3=8]
NANAK VIII

Father: Guru Harrai Mother: Mata Nihal Kaur

Place of Birth: Nahan, Nr. Kiratpur

Became Guru in 1661

Aurangzeb disturbed and summons the Guru to Delhi [on the complaints
of Ramrai]

Makes a dumb devotee explain Guru Nanaks bani

The Guru reaches Delhi in 1664 and stays at the palace of Raja Jai Singh;

Attacked by Smallpox

Before his death nominates Baba Bakala [i.e. Grandfather living in the
village Bakala]

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GURU TEGH BAHADUR

1621 1675 [43+11=54]
NANAK IX

Father: Guru Hargobind Mother: Mata Nanaki

Place of Birth: Amritsar 1621

Married : Married Mata Gujri in 1631; One son Gobind Singh born in
Patna in 1666

Travels: East India (Bengal and Assam

Education: Punjabi, Religion, Sanskrit, Arithmetic, Music, Horse riding and

Swordsmanship

Resided in Kiratpur (1635-1664), Bakala (1644-1664) and Anandpur (16651675)

Wrote: 116 Hymns in 15 Raags

Makhan Shah found the Guru; travelled to ASR doors of Darbar Sahib
closed;

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NANAK IX......

Dhirmal tried to murder the Guru; went to ASR; Durbar Sahib Closed;
bought land and established Anandpur (1665); with wife and mother set
out for preaching tour; when near Delhi, Ram Rai had him arrested but
let go; left wife and mother at Patna and proceeded to Assam; {Gobind
born in Patna}.

When he heard of the percussions of the Sikhs (and Hindus) he returned

to Punjab

Flocked by devotees wherever he went this concerned the authorities

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NANAK IX.......

Summons issued from Delhi

Summons served in Anandpur but could not find the Guru

Warrant for Arrest

Apprehended with followers and brought to Delhi

Sentenced to Death and after torture martyred in 1675 at Chandni

Chowk, Delhi

Body stolen and cremated at Rakab Ganj by Lakhi Shah

Severed head cremated in Anandpur by Guru Gobind Singh Bhai Jaita

Pandits arrive from Kashmir

Guru appoints Gobind Singh successor and proceeds to Delhi

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FAMILY OF GURU TEGH

BADADUR

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FAMILY OF GURU TEGH BAHADUR

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GURU GOBIND SINGH

1666-1708[9+33=42]
NANAK X

Father: Guru Tegh Bahadur

Mother: Mata Gujri

Born in 1666 at Patna Guru at the age of 9

Married to Jito/Sundri (m. 1677, d. 1700); Sahib Devan (m. 1780, d. 1745)

Children : Ajit Singh (1687-1704) Jujar Singh (1690 1704), Zorawar Singh
(1696 -1704), Fateh Singh ( 1699 -1704 )

Education: Punjabi, religions, Sanskrit, Persian, Brij Bhasha, Hindi,

Arithmetic, Horse riding, weaponry.

Battles: 20 battles: some are - Bhangani (1686); Nadaun (1687); Hussaini

Yudh (1695), Anandpur Sahib (1700); Chamkaur (1703) and Muktsar (1703)

Built Four Forts: Anandgarh, Lohgarh, Keshgarh and fateh garh

Rewrote GURU GRANTH SAHIB, some parts of Dasam Granth

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NANAK X......
Gobind Rai was 9 when he became Guru
Guru and family moved from Anandpur to Paonta
Formulated the basis of his responsibilities -am yudh battle of
righteousness; mission of life clarified [uphold right and destroy sin/evil]
Means of achievement: when all means have failed , it is permissible to draw
the sword
Cu kar az hama hilate dar guzast
Halal ast burdan ba samsir dast
Local rajas turn against Guru they were afraid that he may attack them.
Asked help form the emperor
Victory of Guru allowed him to return to Anandpur 12 years peaceful but
intellectually productive 52 bards in the Gurus court,
Forts built and Anandpur and fortified

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NANAK X .....

Studied the growth of Sikhism- Problems lay in succession and masand

system

Masand system abolished no brokers allowed, corruption ended

In 1699 Sikhs were asked to attend Anandpur at Basakhi festival

FIVE BELOVED ONES, Amrit, Foundation of the KHALSA, panj piaray

All castes were for ever mingled; SINGH/KAUR instituted

FIVE DELIVERANCES: Nas Theory:

Bhram Superstitions

Kul-no family ties

Dharam no previous creed

Karm no ritualism

Janam deliverance from caste

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CREATION OF THE KHALSA: 30 March, 1699 Vasakhi Day

% Beloved Ones: Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, Mokham Singh, Sahib Singh
and Himat Singh

5 Ks: Kanga, kach, kara , kesh and kirpan

Amrit for every Sikh

a necessity
Nishani
Sikhi e- haruf panj kaf
Hargiz na bashad e-panj maf,
Kara, kardo, kach, kangha bidan,
Bila kesh, hech ast jumle nishan.

Chief requirement is the kesh

Nanak propagated goodness; Gobind condemned evil

Love your neighbour,punish transgressors

Nanaks God loved saints, Gobindd destroyed His enemies

80,000 took Amrit in a few days 20,000 in Anandpur

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NANAK X....

At Anandpur, the rajas were against the Guru and wanted him to leave
Anandpur they petitioned the Emperor for help

Guru was surrounded by the Hill Chiefs and Mugal Army. The Guru was
offered safe passage.

Chamkaur: The Guru was separated from his mother, wife and two
children and with only 40 men made it to Chamkaur.

In the battle two eldest sons of the guru were killed and so were his
companions. Guru was order to evacuate.

Guru was followed and after some time consolidated and fought his
pursuers and defeated them.

All quiet, the Guru Granth Sahib was rewritten, a lot of literary activity
was undertaken

Zafarnama sent to Aurangzeb

45

NANAK X.....

Aurangzeb invited the Guru to meet him. The Guru set out but Aurangzeb
died before the meeting in March 2, 1707.

The war of succession started and the Guru sided with Bahadur Shah [who
had been the supporter of the Guru].When Bhadur Shah became emperor,
the Guru visited him but did not respond to the Gurus demand to punish
Wazir Khan

The Guru left for Nader and arrived there in September 1707.

Guru met Banda Bahadur and dispatched him to the Punjab

Two Pathans entered the Gurus tent and stabbed him

On the night of October 6, 1708, The Guru passed the succession to the
Guru Granth and the Guru Panth and a few hours later passed away
(October 7, 1708)

Guru Nanak proclaimed the faith in 1499- Gobind founded the Khalsa in
1699; Guru Nanak was born on the same day as the Khalsa was born.
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FAMILY TREE OF GURU GOBIND SINGH

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48

SUMMING UP.....

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GENEALOGY OF THE SIKH GURUS

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