Literature · Religion · 1469–1539
Born: 15 April 1469 · Died: 22 September 1539 · Age: 70
Punjabi spiritual teacher who founded Sikhism, preaching one God and the equality of all people
Did you know?He travelled extensively on foot, visiting places as far apart as Iraq, Tibet and Sri Lanka to spread his teachings.
Guru Nanak founded Sikhism. He was born in a village near Lahore into a Hindu family. As a young man he had a profound spiritual experience. He declared that there is one God, beyond the divisions of Hindu and Muslim. He travelled widely across South Asia and beyond, teaching through hymns. He rejected caste and taught the equality of all people. He founded the town of Kartarpur, where followers lived and ate together. His hymns form part of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Gurū Nānak (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539; Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ), also known as Bābā Nānak (Father Nanak), was an Indian spiritual teacher, mystic and poet, who is regarded as the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
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Profile
Spiritual teacher, 1469–1539
Guru Nanak was born in Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib, in 1469.
He taught belief in one God.
He founded Kartarpur.
He died in Kartarpur on 22 September 1539.
Career highlights
Did you know?His birthday, Guru Nanak Gurpurab, is one of the most important Sikh festivals.
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