Sikh History and Tradition
This domain tests chronology, key institutions and the historical development of Sikh tradition. You need secure dates, correct Gurus, and the ability to explain why an event matters, not just name it.
Timeline anchors
- 1469: Guru Nanak born at Nankana Sahib; his four udasis spread his teaching; he appointed Guru Angad in 1539.
- Guru Angad promoted Gurmukhi script and disciplined physical training.
- Guru Amar Das strengthened langar, pangat and missionary organisation.
- Guru Ram Das founded Ramdaspur, the settlement that became Amritsar, and began the tank; Guru Arjan completed Harmandir Sahib and compiled the Adi Granth.
- 1606: Guru Arjan martyred under Jahangir; Guru Hargobind built the Akal Takht and adopted Miri-Piri.
- 1675: Guru Tegh Bahadur martyred in Delhi under Aurangzeb.
- 1699: Guru Gobind Singh inaugurated the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib; 1708: Guru Granth Sahib installed as Guru at Nanded.
Worked example
Place these in order: Khalsa initiation, martyrdom of Guru Arjan, Guruship of Guru Granth Sahib, building of the Akal Takht. Reasoning: Guru Arjan's martyrdom is 1606; Guru Hargobind's Akal Takht follows in the same early seventeenth-century period; the Khalsa is 1699; the scripture's Guruship is 1708. Correct order: Guru Arjan's martyrdom, Akal Takht, Khalsa, Guruship of Guru Granth Sahib.
Traps that cost marks
- Mixing up Guru Hargobind and Guru Har Rai.
- Giving the wrong martyrdom dates for Guru Arjan (1606) and Guru Tegh Bahadur (1675).
- Crediting Guru Ram Das alone with completing Harmandir Sahib.
- Placing the Khalsa in 1708, which is the year of the scripture's Guruship.