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)
- Founded Kiratpur town in Kashmir
- 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
- Only elected Sikh Guru
-
Executed by Aurangzeb — for refusing to accept Islam
10⭐ Guru Gobind Singh Ji
1675–1708 CE
- Tenth and last Sikh Guru
- Born in Patna | Died in Nanded
- Founded Khalsa Panth (1699 CE)
- Started Pahul tradition
- Title: Sachcha Padshah
- Autobiography: Bachitra Natak (Vichitra Natak)
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; Gurmukhi |
| 2 |
Guru Angad Dev |
1539–1552 |
Gurmukhi script; Langar regularised |
| 3 |
Guru Amar Das |
1552–1574 |
Contemporary Akbar; 500 bigha land |
| 4 |
Guru Ram Das |
1574–1581 |
Founded Amritsar; Hereditary Guru |
| 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 |
Only elected Guru; Executed by 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
- First political leader of the Sikhs: Banda Bahadur
- Established the first Sikh state
- Executed by Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar in 1716 CE
Dal Khalsa (1748 CE)
Under leadership of
Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
Divided into
12 independent Misls
Key Misls
- Most powerful Misl: Bhangi Misl
- Ranjit Singh's Misl: Sukerchakia Misl
- Sukerchakia Misl laid foundation for modern Punjab
- 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
Cultural Capital
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 |
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 |
Treaty of Amritsar |
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 Dev Ji, the second Guru, developed the Gurmukhi script, not Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak founded Sikhism; the script was standardized later.
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 — Only Elected Guru
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Guru, was the only elected Sikh Guru; the others were hereditary successors or appointed. The succession became hereditary from Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru.
Trap #5 — Khalsa Panth Year
Khalsa Panth was founded by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, in 1699 CE. Dal Khalsa was established by Kapoor Singh in 1748 CE. They were different institutions.
Trap #6 — 2 Treaties Named "Treaty of Amritsar"
Treaty of Amritsar (1809) = Ranjit Singh and Charles Metcalfe; it fixed the Sutlej boundary. The settlement after the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–49) involved the British acquisition of the Kohinoor. Distinguish the contexts by their dates.
⚡ 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)
Hereditary Guru position?
Guru Ram Das Ji (4th)
Who compiled the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib)?
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)
Where did Guru Nanak attain enlightenment?
Banks of Kali Bein River
Sons?
Shri Chand + Lakshmi Chand
Famous hymns?
Japji, Sohila, Rehras
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 established?
1748 CE — Leader: Kapoor Singh
Most powerful Misl?
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