History
Background Information
sikhrules.blogspot.com
The Sikhs have 10 gurus; a guru is basically a teacher, honored person, religious person, or saint. The Gurus are Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Angad Dev, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Harkrishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Gurus started the religion and led it throughout the years up until the final guru, Guru Gobind Singh in 1708. When the tenth guru died they believed the guru spirit transferred itself to the Sikh holy scriptures, which are referred to as Guru Granth Sahib. Gurdwaras are the Sikh holy temples.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/history/history_1.shtml
History of the Gurus
Sikhism’s founder was Guru Nanak, born in 1469. He founded the religion in the 15th century. Sikhism originated in the Punjab area, which has now become part of India and Pakistan. Nanak choose Angad as his successor in1538, Guru Angad introduced the Gurmukhi script which was a new alphabet and spread Nanak's ideals. Guru Amar Das succeeded Angad in 1552. Amar Das tried to spread the belief of equality of all people even women. Guru Ram Das was appointed in 1574 as a son in law of Amar Das, he was the author of hymns that deal with marriage rights. Guru Arjan Dev became Guru in 1581. He built the Golden Temple, put together the holy book, and was killed by the Mughals for not making changes that they wanted. Around the death of Arjan, Guru Hargobind was appointed. Guru Hargobind was the first to attempt to oppose the Mughals, after he was imprisoned he fought four battles against them. Guru Har Rai was appointed by his grandfather Hargobind in 1644, he contributed to the Sikh militarization. Guru
Harkrishan become Guru when he was five and died of smallpox when he eight.
Guru Tegh Bahadur was appointed as the grand uncle of Harkrishan. He sacrificed himself to protect Hindus that were being persecuted. Guru Gobind Singh Ji formed the Khalsa, he created the Granth Sahib and instructed people to follow it after he died.
http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx
Guru Tegh Bahadur was appointed as the grand uncle of Harkrishan. He sacrificed himself to protect Hindus that were being persecuted. Guru Gobind Singh Ji formed the Khalsa, he created the Granth Sahib and instructed people to follow it after he died.
http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx
Militarisation
Sikhism is generally a very peaceful religion but they have found the need to militarize themselves over the years. While Sikhism was growing it began to make enemies with the ruling Mughals, so Sikhism was forced to militarize to protect themselves from Mughal oppression. Guru Gobind Singh eventually formed Khalsa , which means "Army of God". The Khalsa were put into use by opposing Mughal oppression. Under the leadership of Ranjit Singh the Sikh Empire was developed, he made use of a strong military, government, and tolerance to make a thriving empire. The Sikh empire eventually fell apart and the British moved in and eventually took over in 1849. When the British eventually pulled out of India, the Sikhs were forced to join into India, under pressure India eventually divided up the Punjab and gave the Sikhs a portion they would be the majority of the population of.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/history/history_1.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/history/history_1.shtml