Historians and specialists in Eastern religions believe that Sikhism is a syncretism, originated during the Bhakti movement within Hinduism and the Sufi branch of Islam, to which many independent beliefs and practices were added.

At Sultanpur (eastern part of Uttar Pradesh), Guru Nanak the founder of Sikhism, received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. He is responsible for the saying "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim" which has since become one of the pillars of Sikhism. He taught a strict monotheism, the brotherhood of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the Hindu concept of caste. Guru Nanak and Panth (his followers) later built the first Sikh temple at Katarpur. A succession of nine Gurus (regarded as reincarnations of Guru Nanak) led the movement during the period from Guru Nanak`s death until 1708. Sikhism preached by Guru Nanak was largely a religious and spiritual movement, but even Guru Nanak advised his followers to resist evil even to the point of sacrifice and martyrdom`. Later on Guru Hargobind Singh girded on two swords `miri" (to defend and pursue political end) and `piri` (for safe guarding spiritual pursuit). But it was the last Guru Gobind Singh who infused martial spirit into his Sikh followers called `Khalsa` and -who were to be called `Singh` (lion). The new order of Khalsa had to fight in defense of their faith, home and heart and their honour.

Sikhism of Guru Nanak was essentially a religious reformist movement in the direction of Saint Poets of India. Guru Granth Sahib the sacred book of the Sikhs contains four poems of Trilochan, 62 of Namadeva and 240 Sakhis and 227 padas of Kabir. Most of the characteristic teachings of Sikhism like monotheism; crusade against idolatry and caste, externalism (bhaiachara), ritualism could be easily traced to these saint poets, especially Kabir. Kabir appears to be a contemporary of Guru Nanak. Again, in the beginning, terms like Sikh, Saint, Sadhu, Bhakta and Sevak were used in the same sense.


However, now, the term `Guru` is to be used for the first ten Gurus and for Adi Granth Sahib. All poets whose lines have been included in Adi Granth Sahib are called `Saint. But `Guru` is not to be called `Saint`. However, one can note that Guru Nanak: was greatly influenced by Saint Kabir. Sikh is really derived from the word `Sisya`. Hence, Sikhism is the religion often Gurus and their followers Sisyas. A Sikh is one who is willing to lay down his life for the sake of his Guru.

The Great Masters of Sikhism symbolize a divine attribute
The First Master: Guru Nanak Dev (1469 to 1539), Humility
The Second Master: Guru Angad Dev (1504 to 1552), Obedience
The Third Master: Guru Amar Das (1479 to 1574), Equality
The Fourth Master: Guru Ram Das (1534 to 1581), Service
The Fifth Master: Guru Arjan Dev (1563 to 1606), Self-Sacrifice
The Sixth Master: Guru Hargobind (1595 to 1644), Justice
The Seventh Master: Guru Har Rai (1630 to 1661), Mercy
The Eighth Master: Guru Harkrishan (1656 to 1664), Purity
The Ninth Master: Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 to 1675), Tranquility
The Tenth Master: Guru Gobind Singh (1666 to 1708), Royal Courage