Guru Nānak Dev
1469–1539 · Punjab · Sikhism, first Guru
Guru Nānak, born at Talwandi (Nankana Sahib, in today’s Pakistan), is the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He taught devotion to one God — “Ik Onkār” — through remembering the divine Name (nām japnā), honest work (kirat karnī) and sharing with others (vaṇḍ chakṇā), and rejected caste distinctions.
He made long journeys (udāsīs) across India and beyond, and settled at Kartarpur. His hymns, including the Japjī Sāhib, open the Guru Granth Sahib. The langar, the free community kitchen where all sit and eat together, began with him.
1469–1539 · Ik Onkār · Japjī Sāhib · Gurpurab on Kārtik Pūrṇimā