EXERCISES

1.
+turu}Nanak Dev Ji
What were the practices which GuruNanak opposed?
2. What are the 3 periods of Guru Nanak's life?
3. Why did Guru Nanak insist on living a householder's
life?
4. Guru Nanak taught the
treated Muslis and
Egtindus
uality of alike
man. He
and
opposed the bistinchvo caste.
Options: Distinctions, Maslims, Eqtality, Hindus
 SECTION I:SIKH HISTORY

0.1. What was the mission of Guru Nanak Dev Ji?

Guru Nanak was born in Talwandi, a village in Punjab,in
1469 at a critical period of Indian history. The Lodi rulers
wallowed in luxury and did not care for the affairs of State
and welfare of their subjects. Their weakness and sloth
brought Babar on to the Indian scene. Guru Nanak protested
against foreign domination and warned the rulers that if they
did not look into the grievances of the people, they would
meet the punishment they deserved.
1fGuru Nanak challenged the fanaticism and intolerance
of the Muslims, of his time. During his visit of Mecca, he
made the Kazis realise that God's house is everywhere and
not only in the direction oftheKaaba. Similarly,Guru Nanak
also exposed the meaningless ritual and caste prejudicesthe
them
prevalent among the Hindus. He demonstrated to
fallacy of feeding Brahmins at the time of the performance
of the Sharaadha. At Hardwar, in a very amusing way, he
exposed the folly of offering water to the manes of ancestors.)
ArGuru Nanak's life may be divided into three parts. The
Sultanpur
first period of 30years was spent at Talwandi and
as a householder. The second period of 22 years was spent
last
missionary travels far and wide and for the third and
in
the benefit
period of 18 years he stayed at Kartanpur for
worship called
of his followers. He established places of
Dharamsalas Wherever he went, he urged people to perform
needy.
poor and the
acts of charity and render services to the
Introduction to Sikhism | 7
 Guru Nanak propagated the equality of man. He treatx s
Hindus and Muslims alike. He went to their
important
shrines and explained to them the true way of spiritual lif
He opposed the distinctions of castc. He called
member of the lowest caste. himself
3Guru Nanak insisted on Grahstha living a house.
holder's life. The path of renunciation or Sanyas is the
way
of escapism and defeat. Man must do his worldly duties and
at the sametime keep his spirit detached from worldly thing
Finding that his end was approaching, Guru Nanak tested
his disciples and passed Gurudom onto the most worthy of
them, Guru Angad, in 1539.
 .GuruAngad Dev Ji
1. State the literary contribution of Guru Angad.
2. Mention the importance of Langar system.
3. Guru Angad insisted on
opened a
Paysical fitness and
Options: Gymhastam, Physical
Q.2. What do you know of Guru Angad Dev J0?
Guru Angad (1504-52) previously known as Lehna was
aworshipper of the goddess Jawala Mukhi. Once, while
going to the shrine of this goddess, he came in contact with
GuruNanak. There was spontancous conversion. He chose
to serve the Guru. He became theGuru's best and obedient
followers. After testing him along with others, Guru Nanak
nominated him to the Gaddi in 1539.
,N Guru Angad popularised the Gurmukhi script introduced
by GuruNanak. Hebroke the Brahmin's monopoly of learning
by encouraging all sorts of people to learn Gurmukhi (the
Guru's script) and read religious literature. He gathered the
facts about Guru Nanak's life from Bhai Bala and wrote the
first biography of Guru Nanak Dev. He also set up religious
centres where the principles of Sikhism could be propagated.
Guru Angad extended Langar The free kitchen-and
personally looked after the serving arrangements. Langar
was intended to break caste barriers and social taboos.

8|Introduction to Sikhism
 Guru Angad laid stress on the
It is like clay from cquality of man:
which pots are made
In diverse shapes and
forms yet the clay is the same.
Similarly the bodies of men are made from the
elements, so same five
How can one amongst them, be high and the
other low?"
Langar made people of different castes sit in line on the
same platform and so provided a healthy forum for
and service. charity
Guru Angad was very fond of children. He started a
school for young boys and taught them the Gurumukhi script.
He also insisted on physical fitness. Heopened a gymansium
which had a wrestling arena, rural sports and games followed
religious congregations. This tradition subsequently helped
in enlisting able-bodied men for the Sikh army.
Guru Angad led a life of piety and service at Khadur.
Here Amardasa relative of his served him day and
night. "The Guru bypassed his sons, who were disobedient
and nominated Amardas as his successor in 1552.
 3 GuruAmardas Ji
1. Why is a householder's life regarded as best by the
Guru?
Gusushib
2. GuruAmardas Ji was given at the age of
73. He had great Wosshi andHumig
3. Guru Amardas Ji established oLKManjis)
or missionary centres to spread the teachings.
4. He fixed 3 festivals for religious assembly
Baisahi,binwal' and_Maghi.
 5. Emperor
AKbOs visited Guru Amardas at
(noinduwal and took meals in the L¡ngar. He was
impressed by the Gupu's Univsal message.
5)
Options: Maghi, Akbar Universal!sal, W Diwali.
9Guuship, 22 diocese, Humility, Goindwal, Baisakhi40)
(3) GuruRamdas Ji
 The householder's life was indeed the best life, because it
Ja
offered an easy way for the Common manRemembrance
of God, sharing of food and income, and honest living
Nam japna, Wand chhaknaand Dharam-di-kirt. The Guru
started a new centre of worship at Goindwal where he dug a
wellfor the benefit of the people:)
A rdas friendlv to ror Akbar. The
 8 Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji
1. How didthe Guru satisfy the brahmin?
2. Guru Harkrishan was anointed Guru at a
tender age
of Five years.
3. In Delhi, the child Guru stayed at the home of
Raja
JaiSingh, where now stands Gwvdwals kogsh
4. Guru Harkrishan, in Delhi, brought health and
happiness to many people.
Options: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Fiv, Cholera-stricken
(3) (8)
56 | Introduction to Sikhism
 Q.8. What do you know of Guru
Harkrishan Ji?
Guru Harkrishan (1156-1664)was called upon to
the responsibilities of leadership of the Sikh assume
the community at
tender age of five. He is known as the "Child Guru and
is specially loved and cherished by children and students.
fryGuru Harkrishan was genius and showed extraordinary
talents for his age. Once a Brahmin questioned him about the
meaning of certain difficult passages in the Gita. He wanted
to test the in tellectual powers of the Guru. The Guru did
nottake it ill and called a passing unlettered water-carrier to
expound the meaning of those passages. The Brahmin was
surprised at the extraordinary exposition and wisdom of the
water carrier. A
Gurdwara known as Panjokhra Sahib was
later established at this spot.
Once Raja Jai Singh decided to seek and then test out
the genius and wisdom of the child Guru. He disguised his

Introduction to Sikhism| 15
 Baba Banda Singh Bahadur
1. What did Guru Gobind Singh give him to wage battle
against the Mughals?
Banda
2. Mention the 5 commandments the Guru asked
to follow.
3. Where was Banda Singh besicged and captured?
When was he tortured to death?
4. What did Banda Singh prove through his battles?
Banda Singh was born in l670 H in Jammu
5.
state in
Rajoui in the battle of
defeated Wazi, Pin
6. Banda Singh
chapeshui on

Options: Wazir Khan, 1670 AD, 12th May 171O, Rajouri,

Chapar Chiri )
 do you know of Baba
Q.11. VWhat
Bahadur ? Banda Singh
Banda Singh (1670-1716) was born at Rajouri in Jammu
State. He was known as Lachman Dev in his childhood.
Soon after a hunt, he turned ascetic; aBairagi, and took
the name of Madho Das. He settled down at Nanded. He
hecame a devotee of the Guru in September 1708 and sought
his blessings. JGuru Gobind Singh gave him a sword, five 1 A
arrows, a flag anda battledrum and asked him to follow the
five commandments mentioned below.
)Remain a celibate: do not marry at all. afry
Speak the truth and act on it.
Serve and obey the Khalsa Panth.
Do not establish a new sect or have yourself set up as a
king.
Be humble and not haughty.
Taking twenty-five Sikhs with him, Banda Singh
proceeded to the Punjab to punish the ememies of the Khalsa
Panth. He attached Samana in November 1709. Thereafter,
Wazir Khan the Nawab of Sarhind was killed in the battle of
Chaper Chirion 12th May, 1710.
Banda Singh was crowned at Lohgarh and struck coins
in the name of the Guru. He allowed his Muslim subjects
to follow their religious customs and practices. Soon
afterwards, he extended his sway over Pathankot.
3 The Mughal emperor was perturbed by the conquests of
Bañda Singh and sent a big army to crush him, Banda Singh
Introduction to Sikhism | 19
was besieged at Gurdas Nangal. After an eight-month siege.
he and his followers were captured on 7th December 1715.
Banda Singh was tortured to death on 7th June 1716, It is
said that Banda Singh confessed that hedeserved his fate for
transgressing the commands of GuruGobind Singh.
SBanda Singh's challenge to the Mughal power showed
that the Khalsa had broken the reputation of Mughal
invincibility. Given another chance, they could perhaps lay
the foundations of a Sikh empire. The opportunity came in
1799, when Ranjit Singh established Sikh rule in the Punjab.)