Guru Nanak
Founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus
- Lived
- 70 yrs
- 1469 – 1539
- Works listed
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Guru Nanak was a spiritual teacher from Punjab who founded Sikhism and was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He taught devotion to one God, the equality of all people and a life of honest work, sharing and remembrance of God; his hymns are part of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Biography
Early life
According to the janamsakhis, traditional accounts of his life, Nanak showed a spiritual bent from childhood, questioning rituals such as the sacred thread ceremony. His elder sister Bebe Nanaki was his first follower. He married Sulakhni and had two sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das, and worked for a time as an accountant for a local governor at Sultanpur Lodhi.
Life
Nanak was born into a Hindu Khatri family in Talvandi in the Punjab. According to Sikh tradition, around 1499, after immersion in a river at Sultanpur Lodhi, he declared “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim” and began his mission. Accompanied by the Muslim musician Mardana, he made long journeys (udasis) across South Asia and beyond to share his message.
Travels
Over some two decades Nanak undertook long journeys, traditionally counted as four or five udasis, travelling across the Indian subcontinent and, according to tradition, to Tibet, Sri Lanka, Baghdad and Mecca, engaging with Hindu, Muslim, Jain and Buddhist teachers and spreading his message in songs sung with Mardana’s rabab.
Teachings and legacy
Nanak taught that there is one God (Ik Onkar), rejected caste distinctions and ritualism, and emphasised naam japna (remembering God), kirat karni (honest work) and vand chhakna (sharing). In his later years he settled at Kartarpur, where he founded a community with a shared kitchen (langar). Before his death in 1539 he named Guru Angad as his successor. His 974 hymns, including the Japji Sahib, are part of the Guru Granth Sahib. His birth anniversary, Guru Nanak Gurpurab, is one of the most important Sikh festivals.
Legacy
The community Nanak founded at Kartarpur established the Sikh practices of congregational singing (kirtan), the community kitchen (langar) and honest labour. Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan marks the place of his death, and the Kartarpur Corridor, opened in 2019 for his 550th birth anniversary, allows Indian pilgrims visa-free access to it.
Timeline
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1469
Born in Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan)
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1487
Marries Sulakhni
Traditional date.
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1499
Begins his spiritual mission
According to Sikh tradition.
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1522
Settles at Kartarpur
Approximate date.
-
1539
Dies at Kartarpur
Guru Angad succeeds him.
-
2019
Kartarpur Corridor opens
For his 550th birth anniversary.
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1539
Died, aged 70
Did you know?
-
1
His Muslim companion Mardana accompanied his hymns on the rabab.
-
2
The langar, or free community kitchen, began in his community at Kartarpur.
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3
The Kartarpur Corridor opened in 2019 for his 550th birth anniversary.
Gallery
Frequently asked
Who is Guru Nanak?
Guru Nanak was a spiritual teacher from Punjab who founded Sikhism and was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He taught devotion to one God, the equality of all people and a life of honest work, sharing and remembrance of God; his hymns are part of the Guru Granth Sahib.
When did Guru Nanak die?
Guru Nanak died on 22 September 1539 at the age of 70.
Where is Guru Nanak from?
Guru Nanak was born in Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan).
What is Guru Nanak known for?
Guru Nanak is best known for Founding Sikhism; the Japji Sahib; teachings of one God, equality and honest work.
Who is Guru Nanak married to?
Spouse: Mata Sulakhni.
References
- Guru Nanak — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Guru Nanak — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Guru Nanak — Goodreads author page. Goodreads. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Guru Nanak — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Guru Nanak (Q83322) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Guru Nanak.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/guru-nanak
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