History of Sikhism
Guru Nanak (1469–1538), the founder of Sikhism, was born in the village of Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in present-day Pakistan. His parents were of Hindu background and he belonged to the mercantile caste. Even as a boy, Nanak was fascinated by religion, and his desire to explore the mysteries of life eventually led him to leave home. He wandered all over India in the manner of Hindu saints. It was during this period that Nanak met Kabir (1441–1518), a saint revered by both Hindus and Muslims. He made four distinct major journeys, which are called Udasis spanning many thousands of miles.

In 1538, Guru Nanak chose Lehna, his disciple as a successor to the Guruship rather than his son. Bhai Lehna was named Guru Angad and became the second guru of the Sikhs. He continued the work started by the Founder. Guru Amar Das became the third Sikh guru in 1552 at the age of 73. Goindwal became an important centre for Sikhism during the Guruship of Guru Amar Das. He continued to preach the principle of equality for women, the prohibition of Sati and the practise of Langar. In 1567, Emperor Akbar sat with the ordinary and poor people of Punjab to have Langar. Guru Amar Das also trained 140 apostles of which 52 were women to manage the rapid expansion of the religion. Before he died in 1574 aged 95, he appointed his son-in-law, Jetha as the fourth Sikh Guru.

Jetha became Guru Ram Das and vigorously undertook his duties as the new guru. He is responsible for the establishment of the city of Ramdaspur later to be named Amritsar. In 1581, Guru Arjan Dev- youngest son of fourth guru - became the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs. In addition to being responsible for the construction of the Golden Temple, he prepared the Sikh Sacred text and his personal addition of some 2,000 plus hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib. In 1604 he installed the Adi Granth for the first time as the Holy Book of the Sikhs. In 1606, for refusing to make changes to the Guru Granth Sahib, he was tortured and killed by the Mughal rulers of the time.

Guru Hargobind, became the sixth guru of the Sikhs. He carried two swords – one for Spiritual reasons and one for temporal (worldly) reasons. From this point onward, the Sikhs became a military force and always had a trained fighting force to defend their independence. In 1644, Guru Har Rai became Guru followed by Guru Har Krishan, the boy Guru in 1661. Guru Teg Bahadur became Guru in 1665 and led the Sikhs until 1675, when he sacrificed his life to save the Kashmiri Hindus who had come to him for help.

The final Sikh Guru in human form was Guru Gobind Singh who in 1708 made the Guru Granth Sahib the last, perpetual living guru of the Sikhs.

The Ten Gurus of Sikhism
Sikhism was established by ten Gurus, teachers or masters, over the period 1469 to 1708. These teachers were enlightened souls whose main purpose in life was the spiritual and moral well-being of the masses. Each master added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting to the creation of the religion of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the first Guru and Guru Gobind Singh Ji the final Guru in human form. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji left this world, he made the Sri Guru Granth Sahib the ultimate and final Sikh Guru.

The ten Gurus were:

Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Angad Dev Ji
Guru Amar Das Ji
Guru Ram Das Ji
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Guru Hargobind Ji
Guru Har Rai Ji
Guru Har Krishan Ji
Guru Teg Bahadur Ji
Guru Gobind Singh Ji

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, or SGGS for short, is more than a holy book of the Sikh people. The Granth is the eleventh and final Guru of the Sikhs and is held in the highest regard by the Sikhs and is treated just like a living Guru. The SGGS forms the central part of the Sikh place of worship called a gurdwara. The Holy Scripture placed on the dominant platform in the main hall of the gurdwara during the day. It is placed with great respect and dignity upon a throne with beautiful and colourful fabric.

Primary Beliefs and Principles
"Ek Onkaar" - One God: There is only one God, who has infinite qualities and names; She or he (see note below regarding sex neutrality) is the same for all religions. 'He' has no sex, but is present within all things and all places.
Rise Early and Meditate: The early morning hours, before the rising of the sun are used for meditation and experiencing union with God.
Earn One's Living Righteously: One must work hard and honestly and never live off of others, but give to others from the fruits of one's own labour.
Share With Others: One's home is always open to all. All are served and all are welcomed. The fruits of one's labours are always shared with others.
Re-incarnation, Karma & Salvation: All creatures have souls that pass to other bodies upon death until liberation is achieved.
Remember God: Love God, but hold the awe of her or him as well.
Humanhood: All human beings are equal. We are sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty.
Uphold Moral Values: Defend, safeguard, and fight for the rights of all creatures, and in particular your fellow beings.
Personal Sacrifice: Be prepared to give your life for all supreme principles – see the life of Guru Teg Bahadur.
Many Paths lead to God: The Sikhs believe that Salvation can be obtained by non-Sikhs as well.
Positive Attitude to Life: “Chardi Kala” – Always have a positive, optimistic, buoyant view of life.
Disciplined Life: Upon baptism, Sikhs must wear the 5Ks, strictly recite the 5 prayers (Banis), etc.
No Special Worship Days: Sikhs do not believe that any particular day is holier than any other.
Conquer the 5 Thieves: It is every Sikh's duty to defeat these 5 thieves: pride, anger, greed, attachment, and lust.
Attack with 5 Weapons: Contentment, charity, kindness, positive attitude, humility.
For more on this section select Sikhism primary beliefs and principles.

Underlying Values
The Sikhs must believe in the following Values:
Equality: All humans are equal before God.
God’s Spirit: All Creatures have God’s spirits and must be properly respected.
Personal Right: Every person has a right to life but this right is restricted.
Actions Count: Salvation is obtained by one’s actions – Good deeds, remembrance of God, etc.
Living a Family Life: Must live as a family unit (householder) to provide and nurture children.
Sharing: It is encouraged to share and give to charity 10 percent of one’s net earnings.
Accept God’s Will: Develop your personality so that you recognise happy events and miserable events as one.
The 4 Fruits of Life: Truth, Contentment, Contemplation and Naam, (in the Name of God).

Prohibited Behaviour
Non-Logical Behaviour: Superstitions and rituals not meaningful to Sikhs (pilgrimages, fasting and bathing in rivers; circumcision; worship of graves, idols, pictures; compulsory wearing of the veil for women; etc;)
Material Obsession: (“Maya”) Accumulation of materials have no meaning in Sikhism. Wealth, Gold, Portfolio, Stocks, Commodities, properties will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Do not get attached to them.
Sacrifice of Creatures: Sati – widows throwing themselves in the funeral pyre of their husbands; lamb and calf slaughter to celebrate holy occasions; etc are forbidden.
Non-Family Oriented Living: A Sikh is not allowed to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monk, nun, or celibate.
Worthless Talk: Bragging, gossip, lying, etc are not permitted.
Intoxication: Drinking alcohol, using drugs, smoking tobacco, and consumption of other intoxicants are not permitted.
No Priestly Class: Sikhs do not have to depend on a priest for performing any religious functions.
For more information on this section select Sikhism Prohibited Behaviour

Technique and Methods
Naam Japo: - Free Service Sewa, Meditation & Prayer Simran, Sacred Music Kirtan
Kirat Karni: - Honest, Earnings, labour, etc while remembering the Lord
Wand kay Shako: - Share your food with others in need, Free Food langar, Donation 10% of income Daasvand, etc.
For more information select Sikhism Technique and Methods