The tenure of the Sikh Gurus roughly extends from 1469 to 1708 AD. The term `Guru` has its origins in the Sanskrit language meaning a religious preacher, tutor or a saint. In Sikhism, the term `Guru` has been used primarily with respect to the ten Gurus who escalated the foundation and growth of the religion. It is believed that the spirit of the Divine Being was inherent within the Sikh Gurus who served as mediators between the Lord and his devotees. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 and he was followed by an illustrious lineage of Gurus who were selected on the basis of rigorous guidelines and it was not hereditary. The Gurus who succeeded Nanak worked with immense dedication to preserve and propagate his teachings. The teachings of Guru Nanak were compiled by the later Gurus to develop the Sikh Holy Scripture or the `Adi Granth` or `Guru Granth Sahib`. Upon the death of the tenth Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, the `Guru Granth Sahib` was pronounced as the last Guru.

The year 1469 signifies the birth of the first of the Sikh Gurus, Guru Nanak who was born in Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib situated in Pakistan. Since a very young age, Nanak`s intellectual pursuits caught the attention of his sister Bibi Nanaki who is believed to have been instrumental in encouraging Nanak in his philosophical quests and also contributed greatly to the spread of Sikhism. From 1507-1539, Guru Nanak travelled across the country and on foreign shores with the sole of purpose of spreading the tenets of Sikhism. He promoted equality of all living beings in the eyes of God and condemned ritualistic practices and any form of discrimination. He is widely venerated as the founder of Sikhism.

The teachings of Guru Nanak and his biographic details provided by the `Janam Sakhis` were compiled by his successor Guru Angad Dev (1504-1552), also known as Bhai Lehna who is renowned for introducing the `Gurmukhi` script which is used in the composition of the `Adi Granth`. In order to promote the Gurmukhi script, he also set up schools in the Khadur district. From 1539-1552, he worked rigorously for the spread of Sikhism and various prominent religious institutions like the `Sangats` were established by him. The idea of community kitchens or `Langars` introduced by Guru Nanak were further popularized by Angad Dev.

Guru Angad Dev was succeeded by Guru Amar Das (1479-1574). His tenure as Sikh Guru extended from 1552-1574 and this era was markedly important in the history of Sikhism owing to the significant social reforms that he introduced. Particularly, Guru Amar Das`s contributions towards the upliftment of women were enormous and he strongly condemned the evil practices of `Sati` and even the `Purdah` system that was prevalent in his times. Under his patronage, an able administrative system for the Sikhs was established and he is also credited for the foundation of Goindval, a city by the River Beas in 1552. Social hierarchies were condemned by the Guru and he incorporated the ritual of regular utterance of the five `banis` known as `Anand Sahib`. Under his patronage, the `Sangats` were further sub-divided into over twenty branches headed by preachers called `manjis`.

The fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das (1534-1581) founded Amritsar in 1574 and facilitated the spread of Sikhism in different parts of northern India from 1574-1581. The premises for the `Anand Karaj` or the marriage ceremony of the Sikhs were provided by the hymnical compositions composed by Guru Ram Das. He was also instrumental in arranging the constitution of the Sikh society.

Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606), the fifth Sikh Guru holds immense importance in the history of Sikhism as the compiler of the `Adi Granth` in 1604, which later came to be known as the`Guru Granth Sahib`. The Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the seat of Sikhism, was founded by him. He was subjected to intense torture by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir who felt threatened by the wide spread of Sikhism and was executed brutally in 1606. This era marked the beginning of religious persecution against the Sikhs.

Arjan Dev was succeeded by the sixth Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) who introduced the importance of martial skills and physical prowess among the Sikhs. He preached the concept of two swords, the `piri` and the ‘miri’ which signified `holy power` and `secular power`. During his tenure the `Akal Takht` was introduced Amritsar in the year 1608. He was imprisoned for a while in Gwalior and the event of his liberation is celebrated by the Sikhs as the `bandi chod divas`.

The seventh Sikh Guru Har Rai (1630-1661) was instrumental in popularizing Sikhism greatly. He propagated the martial expertise introduced by his predecessors and worked efficiently for upholding the tenets of the Holy Scriptures. He was succeeded by his son Guru Harkrishan (1656-1664) whose tenure of three years came to an end with his untimely death while serving the community.

Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675), the ninth Sikh Guru founded Anandpur Sahib. He believed that all religious beliefs can aid in the attainment of God and every individual had the right to practice his own faith freely. He was killed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb upon his refusal to embrace Islam.

The last of the living Sikh Gurus was Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) who established the `Khalsa` in 1699. The Khalsa Sikhs were the baptized Sikhs who were christened in the elevated spirit of Sikhism. Gobind Singh also composed the `Dasam Granth` which is recognized as one among the Sikh Holy Scriptures. He chose the `Adi Granth`, which was renamed as the `Guru Granth Sahib` to be honored as the last of the Sikh Gurus. It contained a compilation of all the teachings preached by the ten Sikh Gurus and also includes tenets provided by the devotees or `Bhagats`.

The `Guru Granth Sahib` is honored by the Sikhs as the embodiment of the Gurus and it is believed to serve as the medium which emanates the word of God. Comprising of over five thousand hymns, the `Guru Granth Sahib` is honored at the Gurudwara not as a substitute for an idol, but rather as a source of intimacy with the Lord.