Sikhism

===Ten Gurus and Authority===
{{Main|Sikh gurus}}
[[File:Sikh Gurus with Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana.jpg|thumb|upright|A rare [[Tanjore painting|Tanjore]]-style painting from the late 19th century depicting the ten Sikh Gurus with [[Bhai Bala]] and [[Bhai Mardana]]]]
The term [[Guru]] comes from the [[Sanskrit]] ''gurū'', meaning teacher, enlightener, guide, or mentor. The traditions and philosophy of Sikhism were established by ten Gurus from 1469 to 1708.<ref name="Panjab Publishers">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Darshan |title=Indian Bhakti Tradition and Sikh Gurus |date=1968 |publisher=Panjab Publishers |location=Chandigarh |page=158}}</ref><ref name="Nesbitt2005_a">{{cite book |first=Eleanor |last=Nesbitt |title=Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Ai-rpcY-rrgC&pg=PT22 |date=22 September 2005 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-157806-9 |page=22}}</ref> Each Guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak was the first Guru and appointed a disciple as successor. [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was the final Guru in human form. Before his death, Guru Gobind Singh decreed in 1708, that the Gurū Granth Sāhib would be the final and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs.<ref name="granthfinalguru" />

Guru Nanak stated that his Guru is God who is the same from the beginning of time to the end of time.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1469–1606 C.E |publisher=Atlantic Publishers<!--NOT Atlantic Books, of London--> |location=New Delhi |last1=Gandhi |first1=Surjit Singh |date=1 February 2008 |page=265 |isbn=978-81-269-0857-8}}</ref> Nanak said to be a God's slave and servant, but maintained that he was only a guide and teacher.<ref name=ksingh116>{{cite book |first=Khushwant |last=Singh |title=Hymns of Guru Nanak |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=W3jXHMDwOb4C&pg=PA116 |date=1969 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-1161-3 |page=116}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1469–1606 C.E. |publisher=Atlantic Publishers<!--NOT Atlantic Books, of London--> |location=New Delhi |last=Gandhi |first=Surjit Singh |date=2007 |page=265 |isbn=978-81-269-0859-2}}</ref> Nanak stated that the human Guru is mortal, who is to be respected and loved but not worshipped.<ref name=ksingh116/> When Guru, or [[Satguru]] (The True Guru) is used in ''Gurbani'' it is often referring to the highest expression of truthfulness.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Darshan |title=Indian Bhakti Tradition and Sikh Gurus |date=1968 |publisher=Panjab Publishers |location=Chandigarh |page=148}}</ref>

[[Guru Angad]] succeeded Guru Nanak. Later, an important phase in the development of Sikhism came with the third successor, Guru Amar Das. Guru Nanak's teachings emphasised the pursuit of salvation; Guru Amar Das began building a cohesive community of followers with initiatives such as sanctioning distinctive ceremonies for birth, marriage, and death. Amar Das also established the ''manji'' (comparable to a [[diocese]]) system of clerical supervision.<ref name="p254" />

[[Guru Amar Das]]'s successor and son-in-law [[Guru Ram Das]] founded the city of [[Amritsar]], which is home of the [[Harimandir Sahib]] and regarded widely as the holiest city for all Sikhs. [[Guru Arjan]] was arrested by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] authorities who were suspicious and hostile to the religious community he was developing.<ref>{{cite book |last=Parrinder |first=Geoffrey |author-link=Geoffrey Parrinder |date=1971 |title=World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present |publisher=[[Hamlyn (publisher)|Hamlyn]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-87196-129-7 |page=255}}</ref> His persecution and death inspired his successors to promote a military and political organization of Sikh communities to defend themselves against the attacks of Mughal forces.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

[[File:Interior of Akal Takht.jpg|thumb|The interior of the [[Akal Takht]]]]The Sikh gurus established a mechanism which allowed the Sikh religion to react as a community to changing circumstances. The sixth guru, [[Guru Har Gobind|Guru Hargobind]], was responsible for the creation of the concept of [[Akal Takht]] (''throne of the timeless one''), which serves as the supreme decision-making centre of Sikhism and sits opposite the [[Harmandir Sahib]]. The Akal Takht is located in the city of Amritsar. The leader is appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Pabandhak Committee (SPGC). The ''[[Sarbat Khalsa|Sarbat Ḵẖālsā]]'' (a representative portion of the Khalsa Panth) historically gathers at the Akal Takht on special festivals such as [[Vaisakhi]] or [[Hola Mohalla]] and when there is a need to discuss matters that affect the entire Sikh nation. A ''[[Gurmata|gurmatā]]'' (literally, 'guru's intention') is an order passed by the Sarbat Ḵẖālsā in the presence of the Gurū Granth Sāhib. A ''gurmatā'' may only be passed on a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion; it is binding upon all Sikhs.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sgpc.net/sikhism/tankah.asp |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20020606154817/http://sgpc.net/sikhism/tankah.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 June 2002 |title=Sikh Reht Maryada&nbsp;– Method of Adopting Gurmatta |access-date=9 June 2006 }}</ref> The term ''[[Hukamnama|hukamnāmā]]'' (literally, 'edict' or 'royal order') is often used interchangeably with the term ''gurmatā''. However, a ''hukamnāmā'' formally refers to a hymn from the ''Gurū Granth Sāhib'' which is given order to Sikhs.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

[[File:SikhGurus-LifeSpans-GurushipSpans.jpg|thumb|center|upright=3.65|alt=Graph showing Life Spans and Guruship Spans of Sikh Gurus|Approximate Life Spans and Guruship Spans of the 10 Sikh Gurus]]

The word ''guru'' in Sikhism also refers to ''Akal Purkh'' (God), and God and ''guru'' can sometimes be synonymous in ''[[Gurbani]]'' (Sikh writings).<ref name="Panjab Publishers" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Raj |first1=Selva |title=South Asian Religions: Tradition and Today |date=2013 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=Abingdon-on-Thames, England |isbn=978-0-415-44851-2 |page=232}}</ref>