Sikh Essentials
The names and forms a Sikh keeps close to the heart.
The Eleven Gurus
Ten human Gurus and the eternal Shabad Guru — one Jot in eleven forms.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji
1469 – 1539
Founder of Sikhi. Taught Ik Onkar — one universal Creator — through love, truth and seva.
Guru Angad Dev Ji
1504 – 1552
Formalised Gurmukhi script. Built langar and physical discipline (mall akhara).
Guru Amar Das Ji
1479 – 1574
Strengthened langar (sangat & pangat). Spoke against sati, purdah and caste.
Guru Ram Das Ji
1534 – 1581
Founded Amritsar. Composed Lavaan, the Sikh wedding hymns.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
1563 – 1606
Compiled Aad Granth. Built Harmandir Sahib. First Sikh martyr — shaheedi at Lahore.
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji
1595 – 1644
Wore Miri and Piri kirpans — temporal and spiritual sovereignty. Built Akal Takht.
Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji
1630 – 1661
Healer and naturalist. Maintained 2,200 horsemen yet emphasised compassion to all life.
Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji
1656 – 1664
Bāla Pīr — the child Guru. Served the sick during a Delhi epidemic, gave shaheedi at age 7.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji
1621 – 1675
Hind di Chadar — gave shaheedi in Delhi to defend the religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji
1666 – 1708
Created the Khalsa in 1699. Father of the Sahibzade. Bestowed Guruship on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Eternal Guru — 1708 onwards
The living Shabad Guru. 1430 angs of bani from Gurus, Bhagats and Bhatts.
Panj Pyare — The Five Beloved
On Vaisakhi 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked for a head. Five Sikhs rose, one by one, and offered their lives. They were given Amrit and became the first of the Khalsa Panth. The Guru then knelt before them and received Amrit himself — making them his own Father and Mother.
Bhai Daya Singh Ji
From Lahore
Daya — compassion
Bhai Dharam Singh Ji
From Hastinapur (Delhi)
Dharam — righteousness
Bhai Himmat Singh Ji
From Jagannath (Puri)
Himmat — courage
Bhai Mohkam Singh Ji
From Dwarka
Mohkam — steadfastness
Bhai Sahib Singh Ji
From Bidar
Sahib — nobility / leadership
Panj Kakkar — The Five Ks
The five articles of faith gifted by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to the Khalsa — worn at all times, never separate from the body. Together they form the saroop of a Sikh.
Kesh
ਕੇਸUncut hair — accepting the form Waheguru gave. A crown of saintliness and surrender to Hukam.
Kangha
ਕੰਘਾWooden comb worn in the joora — cleanliness, discipline, and care of the body as a gift.
Kara
ਕੜਾSteel bracelet on the right wrist — a constant reminder that the hand should only do good and that the Sikh is bound to the Guru.
Kachhera
ਕਛਹਿਰਾCotton undergarment — chastity, self-control and readiness to serve at any moment.
Kirpan
ਕਿਰਪਾਨSword of mercy — duty to defend the weak, uphold justice, and never to attack in anger.