Guru Gobind Singh

Definition

Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and final human Guru of Sikhism, serving from 1675 to 1708. He is revered for founding the Khalsa, a collective of initiated Sikhs, and for his significant contributions to Sikh scripture, notably compiling the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the eternal Guru for Sikhs. His leadership and teachings emphasized equality, justice, and spiritual enlightenment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1666 in Patna, India, and became Guru at the age of nine after the martyrdom of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
2. He established the Khalsa on Baisakhi in 1699, which required its members to follow a strict code of conduct and uphold the values of Sikhism.
3. Guru Gobind Singh was also a poet and warrior, composing several hymns and leading military campaigns against oppression.
4. He declared that after him, no human Gurus would follow; instead, the Guru Granth Sahib would serve as the eternal Guru for all Sikhs.
5. His legacy includes promoting the concepts of selfless service (seva), courage (veer), and standing up against tyranny.

Review Questions

• What were the key contributions of Guru Gobind Singh to Sikhism and how did they shape the faith?
  • Guru Gobind Singh's major contributions included founding the Khalsa, which fostered a strong sense of community and discipline among Sikhs. He also compiled the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru after his death, establishing a central text for Sikh beliefs. His teachings emphasized justice, equality, and courage in the face of oppression, shaping Sikh identity and values significantly.
• Analyze how the establishment of the Khalsa impacted both Sikh society and its external relations during Guru Gobind Singh's time.
  • The establishment of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh created a cohesive community committed to defending their faith and rights against oppression. This movement strengthened Sikh identity and unity while providing a structured framework for spiritual and social responsibility. It also led to heightened tensions with Mughal authorities, resulting in military confrontations that ultimately defined Sikh relations with neighboring powers during this period.
• Evaluate the significance of Guru Gobind Singh's declaration regarding future Gurus for Sikhism and its implications for Sikh leadership and spirituality.
  • Guru Gobind Singh's declaration that no further human Gurus would follow marked a transformative shift in Sikhism by establishing the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru. This decision centralized spiritual authority in scripture rather than individual leaders, promoting egalitarianism within Sikhism. The emphasis on self-study and communal worship fostered a lasting spiritual independence that continues to guide Sikhs today, reinforcing their identity as a faith based on scripture rather than lineage.

Related terms

Khalsa: A collective body of initiated Sikhs founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, embodying a commitment to faith, discipline, and equality.

Guru Granth Sahib: The holy scripture of Sikhism, which is considered the eternal Guru, compiled by Guru Gobind Singh and containing writings of the Sikh Gurus and other saints.

Sikhism: A monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of South Asia, founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century and developed by nine subsequent Gurus.