Punjab GK · Sikh history · Gurus 5–8
Sikh Gurus Five to Eight: Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Hargobind Ji, Guru Har Rai Ji and Guru Har Krishan Ji — Exam Notes
The period from 1581 to 1664 transformed the Sikh community. Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the Adi Granth and completed the Harmandir Sahib; his martyrdom led Guru Hargobind Ji to adopt the twin principle of miri and piri; Guru Har Rai Ji and Guru Har Krishan Ji guided the community through difficult years. This guide gives the facts examiners ask most often.
Overview of the period
| Guru | Period as Guru | Main centre | Headline fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guru Arjan Dev Ji | 1581–1606 | Amritsar | Compiled the Adi Granth (1604); first Sikh martyr |
| Guru Hargobind Ji | 1606–1644 | Amritsar, later Kiratpur Sahib | Miri-piri; built the Akal Takht |
| Guru Har Rai Ji | 1644–1661 | Kiratpur Sahib | Herbal dispensary; maintained a cavalry |
| Guru Har Krishan Ji | 1661–1664 | Kiratpur Sahib, Delhi | Youngest Guru; served smallpox patients in Delhi |
Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563–1606; Guru 1581–1606)
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the youngest son of Guru Ram Das Ji, gave the Sikh faith its scripture and its central shrine.
- Harmandir Sahib: He completed the Harmandir Sahib in the middle of the Amritsar sarovar. By tradition, its foundation stone was laid by the Sufi saint Sai Mian Mir of Lahore. Its four doors symbolised openness to people of all castes and directions.
- Adi Granth (1604): He compiled the Adi Granth, bringing together the hymns of the first five Gurus with those of saints such as Kabir, Ravidas, Namdev and Sheikh Farid. It was installed in the Harmandir Sahib in 1604, with Baba Buddha as the first granthi. Bhai Gurdas wrote the manuscript.
- Sukhmani Sahib: His composition, the "Psalm of Peace", is among the most widely recited Sikh prayers.
- Towns: He founded Tarn Taran (with one of the largest sarovars), Kartarpur near Jalandhar and Sri Hargobindpur.
- Masands and dasvandh: He organised the masand system for collecting the voluntary offering of one-tenth of income (dasvandh).
- Martyrdom (1606): After Emperor Jahangir came to power, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was tortured and martyred at Lahore in 1606. He is honoured as the first Sikh martyr; Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, marks the site.
Guru Hargobind Ji (1595–1644; Guru 1606–1644)
The martyrdom of his father shaped Guru Hargobind Ji's response.
- Miri and piri: At his installation he wore two swords — one for temporal authority (miri) and one for spiritual authority (piri).
- Akal Takht (1606): He built the Akal Takht ("Throne of the Timeless") facing the Harmandir Sahib as the seat of temporal authority.
- Army: He kept horses and armed followers, and fought several battles against Mughal forces in the 1630s, including at Amritsar and Kartarpur.
- Gwalior and Bandi Chhor Divas: He was detained in Gwalior Fort by Jahangir. On his release, he secured the freedom of 52 imprisoned princes as well; his return to Amritsar is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas, which falls on Diwali.
- Kiratpur Sahib: In his later years he moved to Kiratpur Sahib in the Shivalik foothills.
Guru Har Rai Ji (1630–1661; Guru 1644–1661)
The grandson of Guru Hargobind Ji, Guru Har Rai Ji was known for compassion.
- He maintained a herbal dispensary and a garden of medicinal plants at Kiratpur Sahib.
- He kept a body of cavalry but avoided battle.
- Tradition records that he gave medicine to Dara Shikoh, Shah Jahan's eldest son, which later drew Aurangzeb's hostility.
- When his son Ram Rai altered a line of Gurbani to please Aurangzeb at Delhi, the Guru disowned him and passed Guruship to his younger son, Har Krishan.
Guru Har Krishan Ji (1656–1664; Guru 1661–1664)
- He became Guru at about five years of age — the youngest of the Sikh Gurus.
- Summoned to Delhi, he stayed at the house of Raja Jai Singh, where Gurdwara Bangla Sahib stands today.
- He served people suffering in a smallpox epidemic and himself died of the disease in 1664.
- Before passing away he indicated his successor with the words "Baba Bakale" — meaning the next Guru would be found at Bakala, where Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was living.
Linking the events
- Compilation of the Adi Granth (1604) → a fixed scripture.
- Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1606) → shift towards self-defence.
- Miri-piri and the Akal Takht (1606) → temporal and spiritual authority side by side.
- Withdrawal to Kiratpur → consolidation in the hills.
- "Baba Bakale" → succession of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Common exam traps
- The Adi Granth (1604, Guru Arjan Dev Ji) is the earlier compilation; the Guru Granth Sahib received its final form at Damdama Sahib under Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who added the hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
- The Akal Takht was established by Guru Hargobind Ji, not Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
- Bandi Chhor Divas relates to release from Gwalior Fort, not Lahore.
Key points to remember
- Guru Arjan Dev Ji: Adi Granth 1604, Harmandir Sahib, Tarn Taran, Sukhmani Sahib, martyred at Lahore 1606.
- Guru Hargobind Ji: miri-piri, Akal Takht 1606, Gwalior, Bandi Chhor Divas, Kiratpur Sahib.
- Guru Har Rai Ji: herbal medicine, cavalry, Ram Rai disowned.
- Guru Har Krishan Ji: youngest Guru, smallpox service in Delhi, Bangla Sahib, "Baba Bakale".
Practice questions
Q1. The Adi Granth was compiled and installed in the Harmandir Sahib in:
- (a) 1577
- (b) 1604
- (c) 1606
- (d) 1699
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1604 — Guru Arjan Dev Ji installed the Adi Granth in 1604.
Q2. Who was the first granthi of the Harmandir Sahib?
- (a) Bhai Gurdas
- (b) Bhai Mani Singh
- (c) Baba Buddha
- (d) Bhai Mardana
Show answer
Answer: (c) Baba Buddha — Baba Buddha was appointed the first granthi.
Q3. The concept of miri and piri was introduced by:
- (a) Guru Arjan Dev Ji
- (b) Guru Hargobind Ji
- (c) Guru Har Rai Ji
- (d) Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Show answer
Answer: (b) Guru Hargobind Ji — Guru Hargobind Ji wore two swords representing miri and piri.
Q4. Bandi Chhor Divas commemorates Guru Hargobind Ji's release from:
- (a) Gwalior Fort
- (b) Lahore Fort
- (c) Red Fort
- (d) Agra Fort
Show answer
Answer: (a) Gwalior Fort — He was released from Gwalior Fort along with 52 princes.
Q5. Which Guru founded the town of Tarn Taran?
- (a) Guru Ram Das Ji
- (b) Guru Arjan Dev Ji
- (c) Guru Hargobind Ji
- (d) Guru Amar Das Ji
Show answer
Answer: (b) Guru Arjan Dev Ji — Guru Arjan Dev Ji founded Tarn Taran.
Q6. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi is associated with:
- (a) Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
- (b) Guru Har Rai Ji
- (c) Guru Har Krishan Ji
- (d) Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Show answer
Answer: (c) Guru Har Krishan Ji — Guru Har Krishan Ji stayed there and served smallpox patients.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Guru Arjan Dev Ji called the first Sikh martyr?
He was the first Guru to be executed for his faith, at Lahore in 1606 under Jahangir.
What does "Baba Bakale" mean?
These were Guru Har Krishan Ji's last words, indicating that the next Guru was at Bakala — Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Who wrote down the Adi Granth?
Bhai Gurdas wrote the manuscript under the guidance of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Official sources
Rules, dates and figures can change. Always check the latest official notification or government release before relying on a detail.