1. Guru Nanak
In the time of its founder Guru Nanak in the sixteenth century, Sikhism was clearly a religion of peace. Guru Nanak Wrote:
“ No one is my enemy, No one is a foreigner with all I am at peace, God within us renders us incapable of hate and prejudice.”
Task: What does this quote mean?

2. Guru Arjan
Before the late 16th century the Sikhs had enjoyed a peaceful relationship with their Moghal rulers (Muslims).
However, when the Emperor Akbar died he was succeeded by Jahangir who not as tolerant as Akbar.

3. Guru Arjun Jahangir ordered Guru Arjan (the 5th Sikh Guru) to remove
some hymns from the Adi Granth (now the
Guru Granth Sahib).
Arjan refused and he was tortured and killed.

4. Guru Hargobind (6th Guru)
Guru Hargobind succeeded his father in 1606.
He declared that instead of wearing prayer beads he would wear two kirpans (swords). They represent:
Spiritual power (God’s truth - teachings)
Worldly power (fight against oppression and injustice
He urged his followers to fight against oppression if necessary!!!

5. Guru Tegh Bahadur (9th Guru)
Sikh Gurus
Guru Har Rai (1644) (7th Guru)
Guru Har Krishan (1661) (8th Guru)
Guru Tegh Bahadur (9th Guru)
1664
Became Guru at a time of increasing persecution.
Sikhs and Hindus were being pressured to renounce their faith by charging them high taxes and closing their places of worship.

6. Guru Tegh Bahadur
Guru Tegh Bahadur believed that everyone should be free to worship God in any way they wish – it was everyone’s right!
He went to Delhi to speak to the Emperor but his plea fell on deaf ears.
He was captured and imprisoned, tortured and killed.
He was the second Guru martyr.

7. Guru Gobind Singh (10th Guru)
1675
He formed the Khalsa to fight against the Muslims who were persecuting them. He urged the Sikhs to fight against the oppression. However, he made it clear that violence and war were to be the last resort, but emphasised that they should not be avoided if necessary.

8. Guru Gobind Singh (10th Guru)
Guru Gobind Singh stated:
“ When all efforts to restore peace prove useless and no words avail, lawful is the flash of steel. It is right to draw the sword.”

9. Guru Dates Key facts Nanak 1469–1539 Founder of Sikhism Angad
1504–1552
Made Punjabi language of Sikhism
Amar Das
1479–1574
Made langar part of gurdwaras
Ram Das
1534–1581
Founded Amritsar in 1577
Arjan
1563–1606
Built Golden Temple, compiled Guru Granth Sahib, first Sikh martyr
Hargobind
1595–1644
Encouraged martyrdom
Har Rai
1630–1661
Led a peaceful life
Harkrishan
1656–1664
Tegh Bahadur
1621–1675
Martyred
Gobind Singh
1666–1708
Established the khalsa and the 5Ks