Punjab GK ยท Sikh history ยท Gurus 1โ4
The First Four Sikh Gurus: Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Das Ji and Guru Ram Das Ji โ Exam Notes
Questions on the Sikh Gurus appear in almost every Punjab recruitment paper โ PSSSB, Punjab Police, PPSC and teaching exams. This guide covers the first four Gurus, from the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 1469 to the founding of Ramdaspur, the town that became Amritsar. For each Guru it lists the dates, the places associated with him and the institutions he built, which are exactly what exam questions test.
Why the early Gurus matter in exams
The first four Gurus laid the foundations of the Sikh community: a body of sacred hymns, a script, the institution of langar (community kitchen), a network of local preachers and a new town that later became the spiritual centre of the faith. Exam questions usually ask who founded which town, who introduced which institution, and which Guru is linked to which event. Learning each Guru with three or four "anchor facts" is the fastest way to score.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469โ1539)
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. His parents were Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta, and his elder sister was Bebe Nanaki.
- Sultanpur Lodhi: As a young man he worked at Sultanpur Lodhi. Tradition records that after immersing himself in the Kali Bein rivulet he emerged with the message "there is no Hindu, there is no Musalman" โ a call to see one God in all people. Gurdwara Ber Sahib marks the site.
- Udasis: He made four long journeys (udasis) across India and beyond โ tradition places him as far as Mecca and Baghdad โ usually accompanied by Bhai Mardana, who played the rabab.
- Kartarpur: In his later years he settled at Kartarpur on the bank of the Ravi, where he farmed and taught. He passed away there in 1539. The Kartarpur Corridor, opened in November 2019, allows Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, in Pakistan.
- Teachings: Naam japna (remembering God), kirat karni (honest work) and vand chhakna (sharing with others). He opposed caste distinctions and empty ritual.
- Compositions: The Japji Sahib, which begins with the Mool Mantar, opens the Guru Granth Sahib. His hymns known as Babarvani describe the suffering caused by Babur's invasion.
Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504โ1552; Guru 1539โ1552)
Born Bhai Lehna, he was chosen by Guru Nanak Dev Ji over his own sons โ establishing the principle that Guruship passes on merit.
- He made Khadur Sahib (near Tarn Taran) his centre.
- He is credited with standardising the Gurmukhi script, which gave Punjabi a distinct script for sacred and everyday writing.
- His wife Mata Khivi organised and strengthened the langar; she is the only woman mentioned by name in the Guru Granth Sahib.
- He encouraged physical fitness through mall akhara (wrestling grounds).
Guru Amar Das Ji (1479โ1574; Guru 1552โ1574)
Guru Amar Das Ji became Guru at the age of 73 and served for 22 years.
- He established Goindwal Sahib on the Beas and built the baoli (step-well) with 84 steps.
- He made the rule "pehle pangat, phir sangat" โ everyone, whatever their status, should first eat together in the langar before meeting the Guru. Tradition records that Emperor Akbar sat in the langar before meeting him.
- He organised the community through the manji system, dividing the area into 22 manjis (preaching centres).
- He spoke against sati and purdah, and encouraged widow remarriage.
- He composed the Anand Sahib.
Guru Ram Das Ji (1534โ1581; Guru 1574โ1581)
Guru Ram Das Ji, earlier known as Bhai Jetha, was the son-in-law of Guru Amar Das Ji.
- He founded Ramdaspur (also called Guru ka Chak), which grew into Amritsar, and began excavating the holy tank (sarovar).
- He composed the Lavan, the four hymns recited at the Sikh wedding ceremony (Anand Karaj).
- He invited traders and craftsmen to settle in the new town, laying the base of Amritsar's commercial life.
- After him, Guruship remained in the Sodhi family: his youngest son, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, became the fifth Guru.
Quick comparison table
| Guru | Period as Guru | Main centre | Anchor facts for exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guru Nanak Dev Ji | Founder (d. 1539) | Kartarpur (on the Ravi) | Born 1469 at Nankana Sahib; udasis; Japji Sahib; Kali Bein |
| Guru Angad Dev Ji | 1539โ1552 | Khadur Sahib | Gurmukhi script; Mata Khivi and langar; mall akhara |
| Guru Amar Das Ji | 1552โ1574 | Goindwal Sahib | Baoli with 84 steps; 22 manjis; pangat before sangat; Anand Sahib |
| Guru Ram Das Ji | 1574โ1581 | Ramdaspur (Amritsar) | Founded Amritsar; Lavan of Anand Karaj |
Institutions that began in this period
- Sangat and pangat โ congregation and sitting together as equals.
- Langar โ free community kitchen open to all.
- Gurmukhi script โ standardised under Guru Angad Dev Ji.
- Manji system โ organised preaching under Guru Amar Das Ji.
- Amritsar โ a new centre of faith and trade under Guru Ram Das Ji.
Common exam traps
- Do not confuse Goindwal Sahib (Guru Amar Das Ji) with Khadur Sahib (Guru Angad Dev Ji); both are near the Beas in the Tarn Taran area.
- Kartarpur on the Ravi (Guru Nanak Dev Ji, now in Pakistan) is different from Kartarpur near Jalandhar, founded later by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
- Amritsar was founded by Guru Ram Das Ji, but the Harmandir Sahib was completed by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Key points to remember
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji: born 1469 at Nankana Sahib; died 1539 at Kartarpur; Japji Sahib and Mool Mantar.
- Guru Angad Dev Ji: Khadur Sahib; standardised Gurmukhi.
- Guru Amar Das Ji: Goindwal baoli (84 steps); 22 manjis; Akbar ate in the langar.
- Guru Ram Das Ji: founded Ramdaspur/Amritsar; composed the Lavan.
Practice questions
Q1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 at:
- (a) Kartarpur
- (b) Sultanpur Lodhi
- (c) Rai Bhoi di Talwandi (Nankana Sahib)
- (d) Goindwal
Show answer
Answer: (c) Rai Bhoi di Talwandi (Nankana Sahib) โ He was born at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.
Q2. Which Guru is credited with standardising the Gurmukhi script?
- (a) Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- (b) Guru Angad Dev Ji
- (c) Guru Amar Das Ji
- (d) Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Show answer
Answer: (b) Guru Angad Dev Ji โ Guru Angad Dev Ji standardised Gurmukhi at Khadur Sahib.
Q3. The baoli with 84 steps at Goindwal Sahib was built by:
- (a) Guru Amar Das Ji
- (b) Guru Ram Das Ji
- (c) Guru Angad Dev Ji
- (d) Guru Hargobind Ji
Show answer
Answer: (a) Guru Amar Das Ji โ Guru Amar Das Ji built the Goindwal baoli.
Q4. The manji system of 22 preaching centres was organised by:
- (a) Guru Ram Das Ji
- (b) Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- (c) Guru Amar Das Ji
- (d) Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Show answer
Answer: (c) Guru Amar Das Ji โ Guru Amar Das Ji divided the area into 22 manjis.
Q5. The town of Ramdaspur, later Amritsar, was founded by:
- (a) Guru Arjan Dev Ji
- (b) Guru Ram Das Ji
- (c) Guru Hargobind Ji
- (d) Guru Amar Das Ji
Show answer
Answer: (b) Guru Ram Das Ji โ Guru Ram Das Ji founded Ramdaspur and began the sarovar.
Q6. Bhai Mardana, who accompanied Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his travels, played the:
- (a) Rabab
- (b) Dhol
- (c) Sitar
- (d) Tabla
Show answer
Answer: (a) Rabab โ Bhai Mardana played the rabab during kirtan.
Frequently asked questions
Which Guru composed the Lavan used in Sikh weddings?
Guru Ram Das Ji composed the four Lavan hymns recited during the Anand Karaj ceremony.
Where did Guru Nanak Dev Ji spend his last years?
At Kartarpur on the Ravi, now in Pakistan, where he lived as a farmer and teacher until 1539.
Why is "pehle pangat, phir sangat" important?
It required everyone to sit and eat together in the langar before meeting the Guru, rejecting distinctions of caste and status.
Official sources
Rules, dates and figures can change. Always check the latest official notification or government release before relying on a detail.