Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 33

Who was the 1st Guru of the Sikhs?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the founder of Sikhism.

Correct Answer: C) Guru Nanak.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC, Competitive Exams

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent in the 15th century. The religion was founded by Guru Nanak, who is considered the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in the village of Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, in present-day Pakistan. He lived during a time of significant religious and social turmoil, and his teachings sought to bridge the gap between different religious communities and promote a message of unity and equality.

Guru Nanak's teachings form the basis of Sikhism. He emphasized the importance of devotion to one God and the rejection of caste distinctions. He taught that all human beings are equal in the eyes of God and that the true path to salvation lies in living a life of devotion, service, and honesty. Guru Nanak's teachings are recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, which contains his hymns and those of the subsequent Gurus.

After Guru Nanak, the leadership of the Sikh community was passed down to nine more Gurus, each of whom contributed to the development and spread of Sikhism. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, completed the Guru Granth Sahib and declared that the scripture itself would be the eternal Guru of the Sikhs, thus ending the line of human Gurus.

Understanding the role of Guru Nanak as the first Guru of the Sikhs is crucial for comprehending the foundational principles of Sikhism. His teachings continue to guide the Sikh community and are a source of inspiration for millions of followers around the world. The other Gurus, including Guru Har Rai and Guru Ram Das, played significant roles in the development of the religion, but they were not the founders.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Guru Har Rai was the seventh Guru of the Sikhs, not the first. He was known for his peaceful nature and his contributions to the Sikh community, but he did not found the religion.
  • Option B: Guru Ram Das was the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, not the first. He is known for founding the city of Amritsar and for constructing the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).
  • Option C: Guru Nanak was the first Guru of the Sikhs and the founder of the religion. He lived from 1469 to 1539 and his teachings form the core of Sikhism.
  • Option D: Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last human Guru of the Sikhs, not the first. He is known for establishing the Khalsa and completing the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism.

Mnemonic: N - Nanak, N - Number 1

Back to Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 33 – Practice all questions