Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh Biography

Guru Gobind Singh was a legendary spiritual leader associated with Sikh religion. The 10th and the last Sikh Guru and prophet, he died without lineal descendant. His four sons died during his life time. Guru Gobind Singh is a great cultural figure associated with the religion. He was also known as a great warrior, poet and philosopher. He has made some outstanding contributions to the Sikh religion. He founded Sikh Khalsa in 1699 introducing the Five Ks, the five articles of faith, still followed by believers. Khalsa, also called the nation of the Sikhs was inaugurated on March 30, 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh.

As commanded by Guru Gobind Singh, Khalsa Sikhs should wear all times the five Articles of Faith. The five items, also known as Kakkars, are Kesh - uncut hair, Kangha - a wooden comb, Kara - a metal bracelet, Kachera - a specific style of cotton undergarments and Kirpan - a strapped curved sword. Thus he gave some significant contributions in the formulation of Sikh rituals and Articles of Faith.

He was born on 22 December 1666 in Patna, Bihar as the only son of 9^th Sikh Guru - Guru Tegh Bahadur. His mother was Mata Gujri. In March 1672 the family moved to Anandpur. His father was publicly beheaded in 1675 on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurengazeb when he refused to embrace Islam. Following this, Gobind Singh was installed as Guru on Vaisakhi in March 1676. He had three wives and four sons. All his four sons were executed during his lifetime, leaving behind no descendants.

Composed poems since younger age, Var Sri Bhagauti Ji Ki (Chandi di Var) is his best poetic work. Most of his creative literary work was done at Paonta, on the banks of Yamuna. He was a great warrior who practised riding, swimming and archery too. He formulated some rules and principles for Sikh believers - Sikh Khalsa in 1699, which include long uncut hair and metal bracelet.

Throughout his lifetime he fought against Mughals and Islam community who always strived to convert Indian Hindus and Sikhs to Islam, and lost all his four sons and father in this battle. He was stabbed by Jamshed Khan and before his death he declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the next Guru of the Sikhs. He died on 7 October 1708 aged only 41.

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Updated: April 03, 2016