Life and Contribution of Sikh Gurus and Gurmat Sangeet Exponents
What this domain tests
This domain tests biographical links between the Gurus and Gurmat Sangeet, and the contributions of named exponents. Questions often use matching: Guru to raag composition, Guru to instrument, or exponent to tradition.
Core associations
- Guru Nanak Dev ji: shabad kirtan in raags with Bhai Mardana on rabab; kirtan as a path of Naam.
- Guru Angad Dev ji: consolidation of Gurmukhi, supporting accurate transmission of bani.
- Guru Amar Das ji: Anand Sahib in Raag Ramkali; kirtan within sangat.
- Guru Ram Das ji: Lavan in Raag Suhi; foundation of Amritsar.
- Guru Arjan Dev ji: compilation of the Adi Granth in 1604; kirtan at Harmandir Sahib; tradition links him with the jori.
- Guru Hargobind Sahib: Miri-Piri; tradition links him with the taus.
- Guru Tegh Bahadur ji: raag-bound bani in the SGGS.
- Guru Gobind Singh ji: Anandpur court, Dasam Granth compositions, and kirtan patronage; tradition links him with the dilruba.
- Bhai Mardana: first rababi and foundational kirtan exponent.
- Bhai Satta and Balwand: composers of the Ramkali Var in the SGGS.
- Bhai Gurdas: scribe of the Adi Granth and author of Vars; Bhai Nand Lal: poet in Guru Gobind Singh's court.
Worked example
Match Guru Arjan Dev ji with the correct contribution. Answer: compilation of the Adi Granth and the Harmandir Sahib kirtan model, with the jori traditionally attributed to him. Reasoning: the date 1604, the raag arrangement, and the instrument tradition all converge on Guru Arjan, not Guru Gobind Singh or Guru Hargobind.
Traps
Do not attribute the SGGS compilation to Guru Gobind Singh. Do not say Guru Nanak composed the Dasam Granth. Do not swap the taus and dilruba associations. Do not assign the Ramkali Var to Guru Arjan.