Guru Arjan Dev Ji
5th Guru

Guru Arjan Dev Ji

(1563 - 1606)

Harmandir Sahib

Guru Arjan Dev Ji designed and built Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) in the center of the Amritsar Sarovar. He designed it with four doors, showing that it is open to all people from all directions and all walks of life.

Compiling the Adi Granth

His greatest contribution was compiling the Adi Granth (the first version of Guru Granth Sahib Ji). He gathered the hymns of the previous Gurus and also included writings from Hindu and Muslim saints, showing the universal nature of Sikhi.

The First Martyrdom

Because of the growing influence of Sikhi, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir ordered his execution. Guru Arjan Dev Ji became the first Sikh martyr (Shaheed), accepting torture peacefully as the will of God.

← Back to All Gurus