Sikhi Safar Discover Sikhism, one step at a time

The Story of Sikhism

Follow the timeline to travel through more than 500 years of Sikh history!

  1. 1469

    Guru Nanak Dev Ji is born

    Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in Talwandi, a village now called Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.

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    His parents were Mehta Kalu Ji and Mata Tripta Ji, and his older sister was Bebe Nanaki Ji. Bebe Nanaki was the first person to understand that her brother was very special.

  2. c. 1499

    “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim”

    After bathing in the Vein river, Guru Nanak disappeared for three days. When he returned he said, “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim” — meaning we are all equal before God.

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    This happened at Sultanpur Lodhi. His message was that God does not see religious labels, only how we live and how we treat others.

  3. 1500–1524

    Great journeys (Udasis)

    Guru Nanak travelled thousands of miles on foot with his friend Bhai Mardana, sharing his message through songs.

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    These four great journeys are called Udasis. He visited places as far away as Tibet, Sri Lanka, Baghdad and Mecca. Bhai Mardana, a Muslim, played the rabab (a stringed instrument) while the Guru sang.

  4. 1539

    The Guru’s light is passed on

    Before he passed away, Guru Nanak chose Bhai Lehna as the next Guru and named him Guru Angad. The same light passed from Guru to Guru, ten times.

  5. 1570s

    The city of Amritsar begins

    Guru Ram Das Ji founded a new town around a holy pool. It became the city of Amritsar.

  6. 1604

    The holy book is put together

    Guru Arjan Dev Ji collected the hymns of the Gurus and other holy people into one book, the Adi Granth, and placed it in Harmandir Sahib.

  7. 1606

    The first Sikh martyr

    Guru Arjan Dev Ji gave his life rather than give up his faith. His son, Guru Hargobind Ji, began teaching Sikhs to be both saints and soldiers.

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    A martyr is someone who gives their life for what is right. Guru Hargobind Ji wore two swords — Miri (worldly power) and Piri (spiritual power) — and built the Akal Takht.

  8. 1675

    Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji protects freedom

    Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji gave his life in Delhi to protect the right of all people to follow their own religion.

  9. 1699

    The Khalsa is born

    On Vaisakhi day, Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa — a family of Sikhs who promise to live honestly, bravely and kindly.

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    Five brave Sikhs offered their heads to the Guru. They became the Panj Pyare (the Five Beloved Ones). They were given Amrit, and the Guru then asked them to give Amrit to him too, showing that the Guru and the Khalsa are equal.

  10. 1708

    Guru Granth Sahib Ji becomes the eternal Guru

    Guru Gobind Singh Ji said that after him, there would be no more human Gurus. The holy book, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, would be the Guru forever.

  11. 1709–1716

    Banda Singh Bahadur

    Banda Singh Bahadur led the Sikhs, gave land to the farmers who worked on it, and set up the first Sikh rule in Punjab.

  12. 1716–1760s

    Difficult times and the Misls

    Sikhs were hunted by rulers, but they stayed strong, living in forests and deserts. They organised into twelve groups called Misls.

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    Sikhs met twice a year at Amritsar to decide things together as the Sarbat Khalsa (the whole Khalsa). In 1762 thousands of Sikhs were killed in an attack known as the Vadda Ghallughara (the Great Massacre), yet the Sikhs recovered within months.

  13. 1799–1849

    The Sikh Empire

    Maharaja Ranjit Singh united the Misls and built a strong, fair empire with its capital at Lahore.

  14. 1849

    Punjab is taken by the British

    After two wars with the British East India Company, Punjab became part of British India.

  15. 1897

    The Battle of Saragarhi

    21 Sikh soldiers bravely defended a small fort against thousands of attackers. It is remembered as one of the bravest last stands in history.

  16. 1914–1945

    The World Wars

    Hundreds of thousands of Sikh soldiers fought in the First and Second World Wars, in Europe, Africa and Asia.

  17. 1947

    Partition

    When India and Pakistan became separate countries, Punjab was split in two. Millions of people, including many Sikhs, had to leave their homes.

  18. Today

    Sikhs around the world

    There are about 25–30 million Sikhs today, living in India, the UK, Canada, the USA, Australia and many other countries.