Guru 6–10 — Key Facts
6Guru Hargobind Ji
1606–1644 CE
- Built fortifications of Amritsar
- Encouraged contribution in form of arms and horses
- Constructed Akal Takht (1609 CE)
- Later residence: Kiratpur Sahib, Punjab, associated with Baba Gurditta’s foundation
- Introduced Nagada (Drum) playing tradition in court
7Guru Har Rai Ji
1644–1661 CE
- Supported Dara Shikoh
- Contemporary of Aurangzeb
8Guru Harkrishan Ji
1661–1664 CE
- Conflict with Bhai Ram Rai over succession
- Contemporary of Aurangzeb
- Youngest Guru — became guru at age 5
9Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
1664–1675 CE
- Known as Baba of Bakala
- Recognized at Bakala following Guru Harkrishan’s indication
-
Executed by Aurangzeb — for refusing to accept Islam
10⭐ Guru Gobind Singh Ji
1675–1708 CE
- Tenth and last human Sikh Guru; Guruship passed to the Guru Granth Sahib
- Born in Patna | Died in Nanded
- Founded Khalsa Panth (1699 CE)
- Introduced Khande di Pahul for Khalsa initiation in 1699
- Devotional title: Sachcha Padshah (True Sovereign), also used for other Gurus
- Bachitra Natak — autobiographical narrative traditionally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh
Panj Kakar (5 K's)
KKesh
KKangha
KKara
KKachha
KKirpan
All 10 Gurus — Quick Reference
| # |
Guru |
Period |
Key Fact |
| 1 |
Guru Nanak |
1469–1539 |
Founder; Sangat; Langar (1469–1539 is his lifespan) |
| 2 |
Guru Angad Dev |
1539–1552 |
Standardized Gurmukhi; strengthened Langar |
| 3 |
Guru Amar Das |
1552–1574 |
Contemporary of Akbar; strengthened Langar and Manji centres |
| 4 |
Guru Ram Das |
1574–1581 |
Founded Amritsar; selected Arjan as successor |
| 5 |
Guru Arjan Dev |
1581–1606 |
Adi Granth; Harmandir Sahib; Executed by Jahangir |
| 6 |
Guru Hargobind |
1606–1644 |
Akal Takht; Nagada; Arms contribution |
| 7 |
Guru Har Rai |
1644–1661 |
Supported Dara Shikoh |
| 8 |
Guru Harkrishan |
1661–1664 |
Youngest Guru; Succession conflict |
| 9 |
Guru Tegh Bahadur |
1664–1675 |
Recognized at Bakala; executed under Aurangzeb |
| 10 |
Guru Gobind Singh |
1675–1708 |
Khalsa Panth (1699); 5 K's; Born Patna |
After Guru Gobind Singh — Banda Bahadur
- After Guru Gobind Singh, Banda Bahadur led the Sikhs
- Banda Bahadur — Khalsa military leader who established territorial Sikh rule
- Established the first Sikh state
- Executed by Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar in 1716 CE
Dal Khalsa — Reorganization in 1748 CE
Earlier Dal Organizer
Kapoor Singh
Under leadership of
Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
Divided into
12 independent Misls
Key Misls
- Bhangi Misl was especially powerful in the mid-eighteenth century
- Ranjit Singh's Misl: Sukerchakia Misl
- Ranjit Singh expanded from the Sukerchakia base to build the Lahore-centred Sikh Empire
- Ranjit Singh's father: Maha Singh (Chief of Sukerchakia Misl)
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1792–1839 CE)
Father
Maha Singh (Chief, Sukerchakia Misl)
Amritsar captured
1802 CE
Major Spiritual Centre
Amritsar
Treaty of Amritsar (1809 CE)
- Signatories: Ranjit Singh (Sikh side) + Charles Metcalfe (British side)
- Boundary fixed: Sutlej River
- Ranjit Singh accepted British supremacy south of Sutlej
Ranjit Singh's Achievements
- Unified various Misls into a powerful Sikh state
- Built a strong military with European officers (Fakir Azizuddin as foreign minister)
- Created the Sikh Empire — largest north-western state of India
2 Anglo-Sikh Wars
| War |
Period |
Ruler |
Governor-General |
Treaty / Outcome |
Key Fact |
| First Anglo-Sikh War |
1845–46 |
Duleep Singh (Wazir: Lal Singh; Commander: Teja Singh) |
Lord Hardinge |
Treaty of Lahore (1846) |
Duleep Singh recognized as Maharaja by British |
| Second Anglo-Sikh War |
1848–49 |
Duleep Singh |
Lord Dalhousie |
Annexation of Punjab (29 March 1849) |
British acquired Kohinoor diamond. Duleep Singh became a pensioner. |
3 Battles of Second Anglo-Sikh War
| Battle |
Year |
| Battle of Ramnagar |
1848 CE |
| Battle of Chillianwala |
1849 CE |
| Battle of Gujrat |
1849 CE |
War — Quick Match
1st Anglo-Sikh War — Governor-General?
Lord Hardinge → Treaty of Lahore (1846)
2nd Anglo-Sikh War — Governor-General?
Lord Dalhousie → Kohinoor taken
Treaty of Amritsar (1809) — between whom?
Ranjit Singh + Charles Metcalfe (Boundary: Sutlej River)
⚠️ Exam Traps
Trap #1 — Guru Arjan Dev — Executed by Whom?
Jahangir executed Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, in 1606 CE. Aurangzeb executed Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru. Keep the two events separate.
Trap #2 — Who Developed the Gurmukhi Script?
Guru Angad, the second Guru, standardized and promoted Gurmukhi, drawing on earlier regional scripts. Guru Nanak founded Sikhism; he should not be assigned the script’s standardization.
Trap #3 — Amritsar City Founded by?
Guru Ram Das Ji, the fourth Guru, founded the city of Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru, built Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple. The city and temple had different founders.
Trap #4 — Recognition at Bakala and Succession
Guru Tegh Bahadur was recognized at Bakala following Guru Harkrishan’s indication. This was not a modern electoral process. Ram Das selected Arjan, but succession did not automatically follow primogeniture.
Trap #5 — Khalsa Panth Year
Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in 1699. Kapur Singh organized earlier Dal formations; the Dal Khalsa was reorganized in 1748 under supreme commander Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.
Trap #6 — 2 Treaties Named "Treaty of Amritsar"
Amritsar, 1809: Ranjit Singh and the Company, represented by Metcalfe. Amritsar, 1846: Gulab Singh and the Company, concerning Jammu-Kashmir. Punjab’s annexation and surrender of the Kohinoor followed separately in 1849.
⚡ Quick Recall Cards
Guru Firsts
Sikhism founder?
Guru Nanak (1st Guru)
Gurmukhi script?
Guru Angad Dev Ji (2nd)
Amritsar city?
Guru Ram Das Ji (4th)
Which Guru selected Arjan as his successor?
Guru Ram Das Ji (4th)
Who compiled the Adi Granth in 1604?
Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th)
Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)?
Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th)
Akal Takht (1609)?
Guru Hargobind Ji (6th)
Khalsa Panth (1699)?
Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th)
Executions
Guru Arjan Dev — executed by?
Jahangir (1606 CE)
Guru Tegh Bahadur — executed by?
Aurangzeb (refused Islam)
Banda Bahadur — executed by?
Farrukhsiyar (1716 CE)
Guru Nanak — Biography
Born where?
Talwandi (Nankana Sahib, Pakistan)
Which river is associated with Guru Nanak’s revelation in Sikh tradition?
Banks of Kali Bein River
Sons?
Shri Chand + Lakshmi Chand
Major compositions of Guru Nanak?
Japji Sahib and Asa di Var
5 K's of Sikhism
Panj Kakar = ?
Kesh · Kangha · Kara · Kachha · Kirpan
Founded by?
Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1699 CE)
Dal Khalsa & Ranjit Singh
When was Dal Khalsa reorganized under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia?
1748 CE — Jassa Singh Ahluwalia; earlier Dal organization under Kapur Singh
Which Misl was especially powerful in the mid-eighteenth century?
Bhangi Misl
Ranjit Singh's Misl?
Sukerchakia Misl
Treaty of Amritsar 1809 — British representative?
Charles Metcalfe
The Sutlej River formed the boundary between which territories?
Ranjit Singh + British (Treaty of Amritsar 1809)
After which war did the British acquire the Kohinoor?
2nd Anglo-Sikh War (1848–49) — Lord Dalhousie