RAS question
The Sikh religion was founded by:
Correct answer: (B) Guru Nanak (1469-1539).
Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, whose teachings form the religion's origin.
Explanation
Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539), born at Talwandi or Nankana Sahib in present-day Pakistan, founded Sikhism. NCERT, Unity in Cultural Diversity places Sikhism's origins in the teachings of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. His teaching centred on one God, expressed as Ik Onkar, and on equality, honest living through Kirat Karo, sharing through Vand Chakko, and devotion through Naam Japna. He travelled widely on the Udasis and established the langar tradition of a community kitchen. Sikhism then continued through nine later Gurus; Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, created the Khalsa in 1699 and declared the Guru Granth Sahib the eternal Guru.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Guru Arjun was not the founder because Sikhism has its origins in the teachings of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak.
- (C) Guru Tegh Bahadur cannot be the founder because Sikhism had already begun with Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.
- (D) Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth Guru, associated here with creating the Khalsa in 1699 and declaring the Guru Granth Sahib the eternal Guru, not with founding Sikhism.
Concept
Medieval Indian religious movements include the rise of Sikhism and the Bhakti-era emphasis on devotion. Guru Nanak's founder role anchors larger themes on society, religion and cultural change.