Guru Gobind Singh Ji became Guru at nine after his father's martyrdom. In 1699 he created the Khalsa at Anandpur, and he lost all four of his sons in the struggle against oppression. He completed the scripture with his father's bani at Damdama Sahib and, in 1708 at Nanded, ended the line of human Gurus, passing the Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
- Born
- 1666, Patna, Bihar
- Birth name
- Gobind Rai
- Parents
- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Mata Gujri Ji
- Guruship
- 1675–1708
- Joti jot
- 1708, Nanded (Hazur Sahib), Maharashtra
- Sons (Sahibzade)
- Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh
- Successor
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal Guru
Life
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born Gobind Rai in 1666 at Patna, while his father Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was travelling in the east. He spent his early childhood there before the family moved to Anandpur. After his father's martyrdom in 1675 he became Guru at the age of nine.
He was educated in languages, scripture, poetry and arms. For some years he lived at Paonta on the Yamuna, where he wrote and gathered poets around him; in 1688 he fought the hill rajas at Bhangani. Returning to Anandpur, he built up the community and its defences.
At Vaisakhi in 1699, at Anandpur, he created the Khalsa. Sikh tradition tells that he called for five Sikhs willing to give their heads; the five who stepped forward — the Panj Pyare — were initiated with Amrit and then gave Amrit to the Guru himself. Khalsa Sikhs took the names Singh and Kaur, and were given a discipline including the five Ks, as set out today in the Sikh Rehat Maryada.
Years of conflict followed. When Anandpur was evacuated in 1704–05, the family was separated. His elder sons, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, fell in battle at Chamkaur; his younger sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, were executed at Sirhind, and Mata Gujri Ji died there. The Guru later wrote the Zafarnama, a letter in Persian to Aurangzeb. At Talwandi Sabo, now Damdama Sahib, the scripture was prepared with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's bani added; tradition names Bhai Mani Singh as scribe.
After Aurangzeb's death the Guru travelled south and settled for a time at Nanded, where he inspired Banda Singh Bahadur to go to Punjab. At Nanded in 1708, after being wounded by an assassin, he declared that the Guruship would henceforth rest in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, with the Khalsa Panth guided by it.
Historical context
Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Guruship spanned the late reign of Aurangzeb, marked by conflict with Mughal governors and the hill rajas. The creation of the Khalsa gave the Sikhs a distinct, disciplined identity able to survive the persecution that followed his passing.
Several compositions recited in Sikh prayer — including Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye and Chaupai Sahib — are in the Dasam Granth and are accepted as his by the Sikh Rehat Maryada. Scholars and Sikhs have long discussed the authorship of some other parts of the Dasam Granth; GurVichaar notes this respectfully and does not take sides.
Major contributions
The Khalsa (1699)
He created the Khalsa at Anandpur on Vaisakhi 1699, with Amrit initiation, the Panj Pyare, the names Singh and Kaur, and a shared discipline.
Damdama Sahib recension
At Damdama Sahib the scripture was prepared with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's bani added, giving Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji its final form.
Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
At Nanded in 1708 he ended the line of human Gurus and passed the Guruship to the scripture, guiding the Khalsa Panth.
Compositions in the Dasam Granth
His Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye and Chaupai Sahib are part of daily Sikh prayer; the authorship of some other parts of the Dasam Granth is discussed among scholars.
The Sahibzade
The sacrifice of his four sons and his mother is remembered by Sikhs every winter as an example of faith and courage.
Important events
- 1666
Birth at Patna Historical record
Born Gobind Rai to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Mata Gujri Ji.
- 1675
Becomes the tenth Guru Historical record
Succeeds his father after his martyrdom in Delhi.
- 1688
Battle of Bhangani Historical record
Fights the hill rajas near Paonta.
- 1699
Creation of the Khalsa Historical record
At Vaisakhi in Anandpur he initiates the Panj Pyare and creates the Khalsa; the call for five heads is told in Sikh tradition.
- 1704–05
Chamkaur and Sirhind Historical record
After leaving Anandpur, his elder Sahibzade fall at Chamkaur and the younger are executed at Sirhind.
- 1706
Damdama Sahib Historical record
At Talwandi Sabo the scripture is prepared including Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's bani.
- 1708
Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Historical record
At Nanded he passes the Guruship to the scripture, shortly before his passing.
Teachings & Gurbani
One human family
In Akal Ustat he taught that the whole human race should be recognised as one — the Khalsa was open to all, whatever their caste or origin.
ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥
Maanas kee jaat sabai ekai pahichaanabo.
Recognise the whole human race as one.
ਸਾਰੀ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਜਾਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਪਛਾਣੋ।
Only love finds the Divine
In the Tav-Prasad Savaiye he declared that only those who love have found the Divine — not ritual, display or austerity.
ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੋਂ ਸੁਨ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਓ ॥
Saach kahon sun leho sabhai jin prem keeo tin hee prabh paaio.
I speak the truth — all of you, listen: only those who love have found the Divine.
ਮੈਂ ਸੱਚ ਆਖਦਾ ਹਾਂ — ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੁਣੋ: ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਤਾ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਹੀ ਰੱਬ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਇਆ।
The Divine beyond every label
Jaap Sahib opens by describing the One without mark or sign, colour, caste or lineage — beyond every boundary we draw.
ਚੱਕ੍ਰ ਚਿਹਨ ਅਰੁ ਬਰਨ ਜਾਤਿ ਅਰੁ ਪਾਤਿ ਨਹਿਨ ਜਿਹ ॥
Chakr chihan ar baran jaat ar paat nahin jih.
The One who has no mark or sign, no colour, caste or lineage —
ਉਹ ਇੱਕ, ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਜਾਂ ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਨਹੀਂ, ਕੋਈ ਰੰਗ, ਜਾਤ ਜਾਂ ਵੰਸ਼ ਨਹੀਂ —
Lessons for modern life
Identity with responsibility
The Khalsa identity is a commitment to live honestly, protect others and remember the Divine — not a badge of superiority.
Faith through loss
The Guru faced unimaginable loss and kept going for others. Grief and faith can live together.
Let the Word guide you
By passing Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, he asks every Sikh to turn to Gurbani, together as a sangat, for guidance.
Relevant places
- Takht Sri Patna Sahib
Marks his birthplace. - Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
Where the Khalsa was created in 1699. - Takht Sri Damdama Sahib
Associated with the final recension of the scripture. - Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib
Where he passed the Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Further reading & sources
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
- Sikh Rehat Maryada, SGPC
- The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Punjabi University Patiala (ed. Harbans Singh)
- J.S. Grewal, The Sikhs of the Punjab (Cambridge University Press)