Guru Gobind Singh

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Punjabi: ???? ???? ?????? ???? ??) (Patna, Bihar, India, December 22, 1666 – October 7, 1708) was the tenth and last of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on November 11, 1675 following in the footsteps of his father Guru Teg Bahadur. Before he died, he nominated the Guru Granth Sahib as the next perpetual Guru of the Sikhs. This Granth is more than a holy book for the Sikhs.

Related Topics:
Punjabi - Patna - Bihar - India - December 22 - 1666 - October 7 - 1708 - The Ten Gurus of Sikhism - November 11 - 1675 - Guru Teg Bahadur - Guru Granth Sahib - Granth

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Guru Gobind Singh (also sometimes less accurately written as 'Govind') was the last of 10 Sikh Gurus, who were the founders of the Sikh religion. The part played by this Guru in the development of the Sikh faith has been monumental. The First Sikh Guru was Guru Nanak.

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Guru Gobind Singh exemplified the teachings of Sikh principles during his lifetime. He not only taught the teachings, but he felt the pain of sacrifice in upholding those beliefs and teachings. Gobind lost his father, mother, and all four of his sons to a religious war, fought against the Mughal emperor of the time, Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb demanded that all Sikhs either convert to Islam or be killed. It was in this fight for spiritual survival the Guru Gobind felt the pain of loss.

Related Topics:
Mughal - Aurangzeb - Islam

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Guru Gobind Singh also finalised many elements of Sikhism. He proclaimed himself the last living Guru and established the Guru Granth Sahib -- a compilation of the ten Gurus' writings -- as the eternal guru for the Sikhs. However, it was only spiritual authority that was bestowed upon the Guru Granth. Temporal authority was given to the Sikhs as a whole. Guru Gobind also established the Sikh baptism ceremony, the partaking of amrit.

Related Topics:
Temporal - Amrit

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The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Gobind Singh's life:

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• Compilation of the 1428 page Dasam Granth Sahib.
• Author of various important Banis which Sikhs recite daily: Jaap Sahib, Chaupai, etc.
• Built various Gurdwaras - Kesh Garh Sahib etc.
• Developed Anandpur Sahib as a Sikh Centre of Excellence.
• Enhanced the structure of Sikh society by introducing various administration systems.
• Extreme personal sacrifice for society: Father martyred for protection of Kashmiri Hindus, all four sons sacrificed to the Mughal and Tribal Forces.
• Sent Zafarnama to Aurangzeb.
 
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