As I stayed with Jaspreet for around one week, I was able to see the importance of Gurus in Sikh's life. Then by curosity , I asked Jaspreet father about the gurus, he told me about the ten Sikh gurus and handed me a book on them. The book had following details about the Gurus.

Guru Nanak : Nanak Dev, founder of the Sikh religion was born in 1469, in Rai Bhoi di Talvandi (now Nankana Sahib), 65 kilometres from Lahore (now in Pakistan). He began intermingling with holy men of both Hindu and Islamic beliefs at a very early age. Thus, he was influenced by both religions in his formulation of Sikhism.

Guru Angad : Guru Nanak Dev at the time of his death nominated Angad as the second Guru of the Sikhs. He remained the religious head for thirteen years from 1539 to 1552. On the advice of Nanak, Angad left Kartarpur and lit the Guru's lamp in Khadur. Angad spread the message of Guru Nanak. He started a regular system of collecting offerings to meet their expenses including that of ' Langar ' (distribution of food).

Guru Amar Dass : Amar Dass was born in 1479 and belonged to the Bhalla sub-caste. A Khatri, he showed great enthusiasm in spreading the work of Nanak and Angad. He made ' Langar ' an integral institution of the Sikh church by insisting that anyone who wanted to meet him should first accept his hospitality by eating with all the disciples.

Guru Ram Dass : Soon after his nomination as the fourth Guru, Ram Dass established a religious capital of the Sikhs known as Guru-ka-Chak or Chak-Ram-Dass . He encouraged tradesmen and merchants to set up business in the town and with revenues thus collected, spread his activities to different parts of the country.

Guru Arjun Dev : Born in 1563, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, was made a Guru, by Guru Ramdas Ji in 1581. Guru Arjan was a saint and scholar of the highest order. He compiled the hymns and compositions of Guru Nanak, and his predecessors selected the sacred scriptures of some Hindu and Muslim saints, composed his own hymns and thus compiled the Adi Granth4. The achievements and the works of Guru Arjan upset the reigning Emperor, Jahangir who implicated him and tortured him. He breathed his last in 1606.

Guru Hargobind Sahib: The sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, was born in 1595. He became Guru in 1606. He built many religious shrines and was responsible for imparting the spirit of warriorship to the Sikhs. He urged them to be well versed in the art of using sword and other arms for self-defence and self-preservation.

Guru Har Rai : The seventh Guru, Siri Har Rai, born in 1630, spent most of his life in devotional meditation and preaching the teachings of Guru Nanak. He also continued the imposing task of nation-building initiated by Guru Hargobind.

Har Krishan : The eighth Guru, Siri Har Krishan, was born in 1656. He got enlightment in 1661. He personified service, purity and truth. The Guru gave his life while serving and healing the epidemic-stricken people in Delhi. Anyone who invokes Him with a pure heart has no difficulties whatsoever in life.

Guru Tegh Bahadur : The ninth Guru, Siri Guru Tegh Bahadur, was born in 1621 in Amritsar. He became Guru in 1664. He established the town of Anandpur. The Guru laid down his life for the protection of Tilak (devotional mark painted on the forehead) and their sacred thread of Hindus. He advocated the right to the freedom of worship. He gave up his life for the cause of down-trodden Hindus.

Guru Gobind Singh : The tenth Guru, Siri Guru Gobind Singh, was born in 1666 and became Guru after the martyrdom of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur. He created the Khalsa (The Pure Ones) in 1699, changing the Sikhs into a saint-soldier order with special symbols and sacraments for protecting themselves. He fought many wars against oppression. His four sons also gave their lives in defence of their faith. He died in 1708.