Dev, Nanak Guru
(1469–1539), founder of Sikhism. Nanak Dev, who laid the foundation of Sikhism, endeavored to synthesize both Hinduism and Islam in the new religion and combat social inequality. Born in the village of Talwandi in western Punjab to Kalyan Das Meheta and Tripta Mahal, Nanak was attracted to spiritualism from childhood and contributed monetarily to charitable works. His marriage at the age of eighteen to Sulakhani Devi did not deter him from spiritual pursuits, and he traveled throughout India and even to Mecca, Medina, Tibet, and Sri Lanka.
Nanak rejected the prevailing social system based on caste and class. Identifying with the downtrodden, he declared, "I am lowliest of the low." He was also averse to rituals and idol worship. Holding woman in high esteem, he asked, "Why denounce her form [of] whom even kings and great men are born?" One of the important aspects of Nanak's teaching was monotheism, and to him God was timeless and everlasting. He advocated an honest livelihood and shared earnings. His simple and universal message had wide-spread appeal. Nanak's followers were known as Sikhs, and after his death in 1539, Sikhism became an important religion.
Further Reading
Bhattacharyya, Narendra Nath. (1999) Medieval Bhakti Movements in India. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal.
Majumdar, R. C., ed. (1989) The Delhi Sultanate (1300–1526 ad). Vol 6. Bombay, India: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
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