Today In History logo TIH
Guru Nanak Dev

Historical Figure

Guru Nanak Dev

1469–1539

Founder and first guru of Sikhism (1469–1539)

Late Medieval

Talk to Guru Nanak Dev

Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI

Biography

Gurū Nānak, also known as Bābā Nānak, was an Indian spiritual teacher, mystic and poet, who is regarded as the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.

Read more on Wikipedia

Timeline

The story of Guru Nanak Dev, told in moments.

1499 Event

Disappeared into a river for three days. When he emerged, he said: "There is no Hindu. There is no Muslim." His first words as a spiritual teacher. He was 30. He'd spent years working as a government grain storekeeper.

1507 Event

Traveled across South Asia, the Middle East, and possibly Tibet over four great journeys spanning 20 years. Visited Mecca, Baghdad, and Sri Lanka. Debated with priests, mullahs, and yogis. Composed hymns along the way.

1519 Event

Founded the town of Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi River. Established the first Sikh community. Everyone ate together regardless of caste. The communal kitchen, or langar, became a core Sikh practice.

In Their Own Words (6)

Of a woman are we conceived, Of a woman are we born, To a woman are we betrothed and married, It is a woman who keeps the race going, Another companion is sought when the life-partner dies, Through a woman are established social ties. Why should we consider woman cursed and condemned, When from woman are born leaders and rulers. From woman alone is born a woman, Without woman there can be no human birth. Without woman, O Nanak, only the True One exists. Be it man or be it woman, Only those who sing His glory Are blessed and radiant with His Beauty, In His Presence and with His grace They appear with a radiant face.

Raag Aasaa Mehal 1, p. 473; in Aad Guru Granth Sahib (1983 edition by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee); also in Guru Nanak and His Times (1971) by Anil Chandra Banerjee, p. 78 ISBN 1573929980 -->, 1971

You shall everywhere mind the book of the Granth-Sahib as your Guru; whatever you shall ask it will show you.

As quoted in Religious Thought and Life in India : An Account of the Religions of the Indian Peoples, Based on a Life's Study of Their Literature and on Personal Investigations in Their Own Country (1883) by Monier Monier-Williams, 1883

The impurity of the mind is greed, and the impurity of the tongue is falsehood. The impurity of the eyes is to gaze upon the beauty of another man's wife, and his wealth. The impurity of the ears is to listen to the slander of others. O Nanak, the mortal's soul goes, bound and gagged to the city of Death. All impurity comes from doubt and attachment to duality. Birth and death are subject to the Command of the Lord's Will; through His Will we come and go.

Asa di Var

Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, modesty the knot and truth the twist. This is the sacred thread of the soul; if you have it, then go ahead and put it on me.

Raag Aasaa 471:5383-4

The one Lord who created the world is the Lord of all.Fortunate is their advent into the world, whose hearts remain attached to God's service.O foolish man, why hast thou forgotten Him?When thou adjustest thine account, my friend, thou shalt be deemed educated.The Primal Being is the Giver; He alone is true.No account shall be due by the pious man who understandeth by means of these letters.

Artifacts (15)

Janamsakhi painting of Guru Nanak with Siddhas

Unknown authorUnknown author

17th or 18th century
commons View

Painting of Guru Nanak, Mardana, and Bala

Unknown authorUnknown author

18th century or 19th century
commons View

Guru Nanak

europeana View

Guru Nanak Dev by Raja Ravi Varma

Raja Ravi Varma

not mentioned
commons View

Gouache drawing of Guru Nanak attended by his musician and holy man

Unknown authorUnknown author

likely circa 19th century
commons View

Sikhisme, Gurduara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, sikh tempel, Alnabru i Oslo, eksteriør, flagg, flaggstang,

Aakvik, Rune

europeana View

B-40 Janamsakhi Guru Baba Nanak Paintings

Illustrated manuscript with an accession number B-40 at the India Office Library, on Nānak, 1469-1538, 1st guru of the Sikhs; illustrations by Ālama Canda Rāja

1987

Srī Gurū Nānaka Dewa Jī: Jīwanī

Biography of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1st Guru of the Sikhs).

2004

Asa Di Vaar

Asa Di Vaar, or "A Ballad of Hope," is a captivating and soul-stirring collection of 24 verses found within the revered Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Believed to be written by Guru Nanak Dev, the...

2023

There is no point in starting your own business unless you do it out of a sense ...

ds for considerably less than the "High Street" outlets, especially the chain WHSmith. Branson once said, "There is no point in starting your own business unless you do it out of a sense of...

Works Talk

The Khalsa

1978

Gurdwara prabandh sudhar lehar

1978

Studies in India's Foreign Policy

1983

Guru Nanak Dev University: A Profile

1994

Guru Nanak Dev University: A Profile; Silver Jubilee 1994

1994

More from the Late Medieval

Explore what happened on the days that shaped Guru Nanak Dev's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.