Guru means saint, honoured person, religious person or teacher. Sikh Gurus were the messengers of God. There are 10 Sikh Gurus. Gurus were enlightened souls whose main purpose in life was the spiritual and moral well being of the people. They set an exceptional example to teach people that how to live a holy and worthy life, through the reciting of holy hymns called "Shabads". The Gurus taught the people to live spiritually fulfilling lives with dignity and honour.

The first of the ten Gurus and the founder of the sikh religion was Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He was born at Talwandi(now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan) in 1469. Guru Nanak Dev Ji revolted against ritualism, caste, prejudices, hypocrisy and idolatry. At the age of 38, in August 1507, Guru Nanak heard God's call to dedicate himself to the service of humanity after bathing in "Vain Nadi" (a small river) Near Sultanpur Lodhi. He then decided to undertook long travels to preach his unique and divine doctrine(Sikhism). After visiting different places in Punjab, he decided to proceed on long tours covering different religious places in India and abroad. These tours are called "Char Udasis" of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The real aim of the tour was awakening the people to realise the truth about God and to introduce Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev Ji settled down at Kartarpur city(now in Pakistan)which was founded by him and spent rest of his life there. The daily Kirtan(to sing hymns) and the institution of Langar(free kitchen) was introduced. He rejected the path of 'Tyaga' or 'Yoga'(renunciation). He preached brotherhood and humanitarianism irrespective of caste, creed, color and economic status. Guru Nanak Dev brought vision of a common humanity to a society which had become a heaven of violence and strife. Service of humanity indicates one's love for God. Knowing that the end was drawing near, he tested his two sons and some followers and installed Bhai Lehna Ji(Guru Angad Dev Ji) as the Second Nanak in 1539, and after few days he passed into Sachkhand(heaven).

Guru Angad Dev Ji was born in the village named Harike in Ferozepur district in Punjab (India). His birth name was "Bhai Lehna Ji". Once he listened the recitation of a hymn of Guru Nanak, he was thrilled and decided to proceed to Kartarpur to had a glimpse of the Guru . His very first meeting with Guru Nanak completely transformed him. He dedicated himself to the service of Guru Nanak, became a sikh and began to live in Kartarpur. His devotion to Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his holy mission was so great that he was installed as the Second Nanak in 1539 by Guru Nanak himself. Guru Nanak gave him a new name Angad. After the death of Guru Nanak in 1539, Guru Angad Dev Ji left Kartarpur for Khadur Sahib Village (near Goindwal Sahib). He introduced a new alphabet known as Gurmukhi Script modifying the old Punjabi Script's characters. He wrote 63 Saloks (stanzas), these were included in Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Book). He took great interest in the education of the children by opening many schools for their instruction and thus increased the number of literates. For youths he started the tradition of Mall Akhara, where physical as well as spiritual exercises were held. He popularized and expanded the institution of "Guru Ka Langar" started by Guru Nanak. Guru Angad dev Ji visited all the important places and centres established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji for preaching Sikhism. He nominated Guru Amar Das Ji as his successor(The Third Nanak) before his death in 1552.

Guru Amar Das Ji was born at village Basarke Gillan in Amritsar in 1479. Once he heard some hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, he was too much impressed and immediately went to see Guru Angad Dev ji at Khadur Sahib. Under the impact of the teachings of Guru Angad Dev Ji, he adopted him as his spiritual guide (Guru). Then he started living at Khadur Sahib. He used to rise early in the morning, bring water from the beas river for Guru Angad's bath and fetch woods from the jungle for "Guru Ka Langar". Guru Angad Dev Ji appointed Guru Amar Das Ji as third Nanak in 1552 at the age of 73. This was a result of his services and devotion to Guru Angad Dev Ji and his teachings. Guru Amar Das Ji established his headquarters at newly built town Goindwal Sahib. There he propagated the Sikh faith in a very planned manner. He divided the Sikh Sangat area into 22 preaching centres called Manjis. He himself visited and sent Sikh missionaries to different parts of India to spread Sikhism. He strengthened the tradition of the free kitchen, Guru Ka Langar (started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji), and made his disciples(whether rich or poor and of any caste) have their meals together, sitting at one place. He thus established social equality amongst the people. He introduced the Anand Karaj, marriage ceremony, for the sikhs. He also completely abolished, amongst the sikhs, the custom of sati, in which a married women was forced to burn herself to death in the funeral pyre of her husband. He asked women to discard 'Purdah', in which the women covered her face with a veil. He constructed Baoli at Goindwal Sahib, having eighty four steps and made it as sikh pilgrimage. He also composed 869 verses (stanzas) including Anand Sahib which are part of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Book). He did not considered anyone of his sons fit for Guruship. He selected his son-in-law, Guru Ramdas Ji, to succeed him. Guru Amar Das Ji passed to heaven at the age of 95 in 1574, after giving responsibility of Guruship to the Fourth Nanak, Guru Ramdas Ji.

Guru Ramdas Ji(Jetha Ji) was born at Chuna Mandi, Lahore (in Pakistan) in 1534. Guru Ramdas Ji was married to Bibi Bhani Ji(daughter of Guru Amar Das Ji). After marriage he stayed with his father-in-law and deeply associated himself with activities related to Sikhism. He was a man of considerable merit. He became famous for his piety, devotion, energy and eloquence. Guru Amardas ji installed him as fourth Nanak in 1574. Guru Ramdas Ji laid the foundation of the city of Amritsar(situated in Punjab). The standard Sikh marriage ceremony known as Anand Karaj is centered around the Lawan, a four stanza hymn which was composed by Guru Ramdas Ji. The marriage couple circumscribe the Guru Granth Sahib Ji as each stanza is read. The first round is divine consent for commencing the householders life through marriage. The second round states that the union of the couple has been brought about by God. In the third round the couple is described as most fortunate as they have sung the praises of Lord in the company of saints. In the fourth round the feeling of the couple that they have obtained their hearts desire and are being congratulated is described. He, like his predecessors carried forward the tradition of Guru Ka Langar. Superstitions and caste system were strongly decried. He wrote 638 hyms in 30 ragas, these include 246 Padei, 138 Saloks, 31 Ashtpadis and 8 vars and are a part of the holy book - Guru Granth Sahib ji. He nominated his youngest son (Guru) Arjan Dev Ji as Fifth Nanak. After this he left Amritsar and retired to Goindwal sahib. There he passed away for heaven in 1581.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the youngest son of Guru Ramdas Ji was born at Goindwal Sahib in 1563. He learnt Gurmukhi script and Gurbani from Baba Budha Ji. He was also given the suitable education in Persian, Hindi and Sanskrit languages. The child (Guru) Arjan Dev Ji often talked of God and loved to sing his songs. He was hardly 18 years when his father Guru Ram Das Ji installed him as the fifth Nanak. He was married to Mata Ganga Ji and had a son (Guru) Hargobind Sahib Ji. Guru Arjan Dev Ji completed the work on two sacred tanks (Sarowars) Santhokhsar and Amritsar. He got the foundation stone of Golden Temple, laid by the muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir Ji of Lahore in 1588. He completed construction of Golden Temple in Amritsar. Guru Sahib founded the town of Tarn Taran Sahib near Goindwal Sahib and also created a large tank(Sarowar) and Gurudwara there. A house for lepers was also built. He also laid the foundation stone of the town Kartarpur(near Jalandhar City). Guru Arjan Dev Ji was very energetic and aspiring personality. In order to strengthen the cult of Sikhism, he visited many places throughout India. He also stayed sometime at wadali (now it is called Guru-Ki-Wadali near Amritsar city). To consolidate and extend Sikhism, he had done a great and monumental work. After collecting the hymns of first four Gurus and several other Hindu and Muslim saints he compiled Guru Granth Sahib Ji (a holy book of sikhs). This was written by Bhai Gurdas Ji. Guru Ji himself contributed about 2000 verses for it. He installed Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Golden Temple in 1604 and made Baba Budha Ji as the first Granthi. Guru Granth Sahib Ji proved a great landmark in the history of Sikh nation. After the death of Akbar the new head of state emperor Jahangir was jealous about Guru's propagation of Sikhism. Many baseless allegations were leveled against Guru ji. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was arrested and brought to Lahore where he was charge-sheeted and implicated in the false cases. Guru Ji was tortured and was made to sit on the hot iron plates and burning sand was poured over his naked body. When the body was blistered, he was chained and thrown into the river Ravi. Thus Guru Arjan Dev Ji embraced martyrdom in 1606. Guru ji became the first great martyr in Sikh history.

Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was born at village Guru Ki Wadali in 1595. He succeeded Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1606, at the age of eleven years. After the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sikh began to think seriously to counter the high-handedness of the mighty and theist muslim empire. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji wore two swords, one of Spiritual Power - Piri and other of Military Power - Miri. Now the sikh became "Saint-Soldier". Guru ji issued various letters advising the sikhs to take part in the military training and marshal arts. Riding, hunting and wrestling and many other martial sports were introduced. And on the other hand martial songs like 'Vars' were daily sung by the Dhadd-Players in the court of Guru Sahib to inspire the sikhs of heroic deeds. Guru ji revealed Shri Akal Takht Sahib Ji in front of Golden Temple in 1609. This place became the seat of preaching and praying. At this place Guru Sahib used to gave sermons to the sikhs and discussions were held on the problems faced by the sikh nation. Sikh nation followed the judgements or decisions taken on Shri Akal Takht Sahib, enthusiastically. Guru sahib undertook tours to spread sikhism. He started from Amritsar and covered thousand miles in india. His tours and preaching made the sikhism more popular in different parts of India. On the other hand Guru ji also carried on the mission of militarizing the sikhs. Now for the first time in the Indian history since the invasion of muslims, the Sikh Nation, under the supreme command of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, prepared for the arm resistance. Guru Sahib converted the peaceful sect into a warlike community, who was ready to defend their interests with the swords. Guru Ji spent ten years of his life at Kiratpur Sahib where he established another spiritual and preaching center of the sikh nation. He breathed his last in 1644. Before his death he nominated his grandson (Guru) Har Rai Sahib Ji as Seventh Nanak.

Guru Har Rai Ji, was born in 1630. He spent most of his life in devotional meditation and preaching the teachings of Guru Nanak. Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, before his departure for heavenly abode, nominated his grand son, Guru Har Rai Ji at the tender age of 14, as his successor (Seventh Nanak), in 1644. Guru Har Rai Ji was a man of peace but he never disbanded or discharged the armed sikh warriors (Saint Soldiers), who earlier was maintained by his grandfather (Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji). He otherwise further boosted the military spirit of the sikhs. But he never himself indulged in any direct political and armed controversy with the contemporary mughal empire. He instead devoted his efforts to missionary work. He established 360 Sikh missionary seats(Manjis). Kiratpur was Guru Har Rai's permanent seat. Here disciples and visitors came to seek blessings and instructions from the Guru. The Guru kept the daily practice of his predecessors. The institution of Langar, community eating, continued to flourish. Guru Sahib also established an Ayurvedic herbal medicine hospital and a research centre at Kiratpur Sahib. Knowing that the end was near, he installed his younger son Guru HarKrishan Ji as the Eighth Nanak in 1661 at Kiratpur Sahib.

Guru Harkrishan Ji was born in 1656 at Kiratpur Sahib. He was the second son of Shri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji. He was installed as Eighth Nanak (Guru) at the age of five by his father. Guru ji astonished the Brahmin Pandits with his knowledge and spiritual powers. To the sikhs he proved to be the symbol of service, purity and truth. Guru Sahib visited Delhi on the invitation of Raja Jai Singh of Amber (Jaipur). He imparted religious instructions to the multitude of people. Within a short span of time Guru Harkrishan ji, through his fraternization with the common masses gain more and more adherents in the capital. At that time, a severe epidemic of cholera and smallpox broke out in Delhi. The young Guru began to attend the sufferers irrespective of cast and creed. Particularly, the local muslim population was much impressed with the purely humanitarian deeds of the Guru sahib and nicknamed him Bala Pir (child prophet). While serving the suffering people from the epidemic day and night, Guru Sahib himself was seized with high fever. The severe attack of smallpox confined him to bed for several days. When his condition became serious, he called his mother and told her that his end was drawing near. When asked to name his successor, he merely exclaimed 'Baba Bakala'. These words were only meant for the future (Guru) Teg Bahadur Sahib ji, who was residing at village Bakala near river Beas in Punjab province. In the last moment Guru Harkrishan Ji wished that nobody should mourn him after his death and instructed to sing the hymns of Gurbani. Thus the 'Bala Pir' passed away in 1664, slowly reciting the word Waheguru till the end. Tenth Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Ji paying tribute to Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji stated that "Let us think of the holy Harkrishan, Whose sight dispels all sorrows".

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was born in the holy city of Amritsar in a house known as Guru Ka Mahal in 1621. He was the fifth and youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. His childhood name was 'Tyag Mal'. The sikhs began to call him Teg Bahadur after the battle of Kartarpur against Painda khan in which he proved to be great sword-player or gladiator. From the very childhood he used to sit inside the house and spend most of his time in meditation. He seldom played with other boys of his age. Due to the rich religious atmosphere at home he developed a distinct philosophical bent of mind. Naturally he developed inspirations towards a life of selfless service and sacrifice. Apart from schooling he was also given the military training like horsemanship, swordsmanship, javelin throwing and shooting. He had witnessed and even participated in the battle of Amritsar and Kartarpur. But inspite of all this, he developed an extra ordinary mystic nature in due course of time. Guru Tegh Bahadur's long spell of silent meditation perfected his will. Through meditation, he archived the torch of Guru Nanak's creative vision. He developed aspirations towards a life of selfless service and sacrifice, with a moral spiritual courage to abide by the will of God. Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji (on the eve of his death), prophetically uttered only two words "Baba Bakala", meaning that his successor would be found at (Baba Bakala). Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was recognised in Baba Bakala. In June 1665 Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji founded a new town Chak-Nanki after revered name of his mother. Later this town was renamed as Shri Anandpur Sahib. Guru Ji on his missionary tours, visited a lot of places to strengthen the Sikh nation by setting up new preaching centers. Guru Sahib wrote Gurbani in fifteen Raagas apart from 57 salokas.This got included in Guru Granth Sahib Ji (a holy book). A reign of terror was let loose on Hindus in India by the Muslim theistic state. Aurangzeb wanted people to embrace islam. To achieve this goal as soon as possible, the Hindu Pandits and Brahmins (the preaching class) of kashi, Prayag, Kurukshetra, Haridwar and Kashmir were identified for this purpose. They were given an ultimatum either to embrace islam or to be prepared for death. There was a wave of the mass conversion in India and Sher Afgan khan an imperial viceroy first tried this practice in Kashmir. Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits were massacred and their property was looted. At this juncture, the Brahmins especially the Kashmiri Pandits led by Pandit Kirpa Ram Dutt approached Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Anandpur Sahib in 1675. They told their tales and woe to Guru Sahib Ji and requested to protect their honour and faith. Guru Sahib heard their views and agreed to resist the nefarious act of forcible conversions, by peaceful means. Guru Sahib Ji made up his mind to sacrifice himself for the cause of "Righteousness" and the freedom of religion. On the advice of Guru Sahib, the Kashmiri Pandits presented a petition to the Emperor and in the lieu of this an imperial court of Delhi, issued summons asking Guru Ji to appear in the said court. On the other hand, before the imperial summons reach Anandpur Sahib, Guru Sahib Ji started his journey towards Delhi after installing his son (Guru) Gobind Singh Ji as the Tenth Nanak in 1675. The Muslim authorities offered three alternatives to Guru Ji i.e to show miracles or to embrace islam or to prepare himself for death. Guru Sahib accepted the last and the authorities ordered the executioner (jallad) to sever the head from the body. The order was implemented. Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib at chandni chowk (Delhi) marks the place where the execution was done. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji is called 'Hind Di Chadar'. He sacrificed his life for the cause of religion, truth and betterment of humanity.

The tenth and the last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was born in 1666 at Patna, in Bihar (India). On the site of the house where Guru Ji was born and where he spent his early childhood, now stands a sacred shrine, Takht Shri Harimandar Sahib, one of the five most honoured seats of religious authority (takht) for the sikhs. Guru Ji was escorted to Anandpur (then known as Chakk-Nanaki) in 1672. There his early education included reading and writing of Punjabi, Braj, Sanskrit and Persian languages. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was installed Guru in 1675 in nine years of age after the martyrdom of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. In the midst of his engagement with the concerns of the community, he gave attention to the mastery of the physical skills and literary accomplishment. He had a natural genius for poetic composition. Through his poetry he preached Love, equality and a strictly ethical and moral code of conduct. He preached the worship of the One Supreme Being, deprecating idolatry and superstitious beliefs and observances. He created the Khalsa (The Pure ones) in 1699, changing the sikhs into a saint-soldier order with special symbols and sacraments for protecting themselves. After the Guru had administered Amrit (nectar) to his five beloved ones, he stood up in supplication and with folded hands, asked them to baptize him in the same way as he had baptized them. He himself became their disciple (Wonderful is Guru Gobind Singh, himself the Master and himself the disciple). He gave the name Singh (lion) to sikh males and Kaur (princess) to sikh females. He fought many battles against the armies of Aurangzeb and his allies. He had four Sahibzade (sons). All four attained martyrdom. Two in the battle at Chamkaur Sahib and two were bricked alive at Fatehgarh Sahib by Aurangzeb. Guru Gobind Singh Ji passed on the succession with due ceremony to the Holy Book, Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Guru's spirit ,he said, will henceforth be in the Granth and the Khalsa. Where the Granth is with any five Sikhs representing the Khalsa, there will the Guru be. Thus Guru Gobind Singh Ji appointed Guru Granth Sahib Ji as his successor in 1708. After that he went to SachKhand (heaven) in 1708 at Nanded (India).

Guru Granth Sahib ji is the scriptures of the Sikh Gurus. It was written in Gurmukhi script and it contains the actual words and verses as uttered by the Sikh Gurus. Initially known as the Adi Granth, it was compiled by the fifth Guru Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and was installed in 1604, in Golden Temple (Amritsar). The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, added to the Adi Granth, the compositions of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji ended the line of living Sikh Gurus by raising the Adi Granth to the status of a permanent Guru and renamed it Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, he then commanded the sikhs that it was to be revered as the body and spirit of the Ten Gurus. Guru Granth Sahib Ji consists of 1430 pages. It contains the Banis (the sacred compositions) of the first five Gurus and the ninth Guru as well as a number of passages of verses written by several saints from Muslims and Hindus. Altogether, Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji includes 5894 Shabads (hymns or holy verses) which are arranged in 31 Ragas (musical measures). It is considered as the Supreme Spiritual Authority and Head of the Sikh religion.

Note : Sikhism rejects any form of idol worship including worship of pictures of the Gurus. Pictures are for inspirational purposes only and should not be regarded as objects of worship themselves.