(May 1479- September 1574)

Born: May 1479

Place of birth: Village Basarke, district Amritsar 

Parents: Sri Tej Bhan Ji and Mata Lakhmi Ji 

Spouse: Ram Kaur, daughter of Devi Chand Behal Khatri of village Savkhatra

Children: two sons Mohri Ji and Mohan Ji and two daughters Bibi Dani and Bibi Bhani

Period: The reign of Emperor Akbar in Delhi Guru’s seat: Guru Angad Dev Ji bequeathed it to Guru Amardas in 1574.

Teachings: To work honestly, arrogance drives one to despondency but sharing vitalises, a life devoted to truth, service, worship and simplicity is the real life.

Died: In September 1574 in Goindwal

Guru Amardas Ji was born to Sri Tej Bhan Bhalla Khatri and Mata Lakhmi Ji in village Basarke of Amritsar district in 1479. In the beginning he also ran a shop like his father. He married Ram Kaur, the daughter of Devi Chand Khatri of village Savkhatra, Amritsar. Even during those days he went twenty times on foot to the sacred river Ganga for bathing in it. Once he met a Pundit on the way. When Guru Ji offered him food he wanted to know who was his guru? When Guru Ji replied that he had none, the Pundit said that taking food from a guru-less person would be a sin. That day Amardas Ji decided to look for a guru who could guide him. One day he overheard Bibi Amro, Guru Angad Dev Ji’s daughter and his own nephew’s wife, reciting Guru’s utterances. She explained to him that these were Guru Nanak’s utterances. Along with Bibi he went to see Guru Angad Dev Ji, the heir of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Once he heard him speak he became his follower forever. He served Guru Angad Dev Ji for twelve years continuously. One day while returning from river Beas with a pitcher of water for Guru Ji’s bath, he got caught in a weaver’s loom and fell down but did not let the water spill. On hearing the commotion, the weaver’s wife said with annoyance from inside, " It must be that rootless Amru. Does not let anybody ever rest. Fetches water for the Guru to earn a living." Upon hearing this Guru Amardas Ji said, " Why do you say that gentlewoman? I am no longer rootless, I have a guru now." He took this water for Guru Ji’s bath and also fulfilled his duties towards the followers’ community. In view of his selfless service Guru Angad Dev Ji instituted him as the guru in 1574 and said, " Guru Amardas is the pride of those without pride, strength of those who have no strength, support of those who have no support and hope of those who have no hope." (‘Guru Amardas nimanian de man, nitanian de tan, niotian di ote, niasrian de asra’)

Prior to this at Guru Angad Dev Ji’s command and in service of the community, he founded Goindwal. After becoming the Guru himself he spent most of his time in this place. People started coming here from far and wide. Once even Emperor Akbar came here to see Guru Ji and had Langar (community meal) here seated with others in a row. He had a step-well constructed here as requested by the people. This step-well has eighty-four steps. The idea behind these eighty-four steps was to liberate people from the various divisions of caste and vocation and free them from the concept of transmigration of soul. Hence Goindwal turned into a pilgrimage centre. In 1624 of the Bikrami calendar, the celebration of Baisakhi was started here.

To propagate Gurbani (Guru’s utterances and teachings), Guru Ji set up twenty-two preaching centres. Along with spiritual guidance he undertook social reforms also to make Sikhism an ideal religion. He started a movement against caste system and untouchability. A big step in this direction was to start the tradition of Langar. In the course of this community meal everybody sat and ate together irrespective of caste or stature, thereby imbibing the message of unity. As mentioned earlier, even Emperor Akbar did the same. Akbar offered Guru Ji monetary help but he declined saying that the Langar must be run by the Sikhs and the community with their own resources.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib contains 878 hymns created by Guru Amardas Ji. His exceptional works are the braid composed in Raga Asa and Anand Sahib. He served at the Guru’s seat for twenty-two years and then bequeathed it to Guru Ramdas. He breathed his last in Goindwal in September 1574.

The famous Gurudwaras constructed in his memory are listed below.

1. Gurudwara Chaubara Sahib: Guru Amardas Ji used to offer prayers at this place.

2. Gurudwara Baoli Sahib: This is built near the step-well with eighty-four steps. This place is considered as a pilgrimage centre even today.

3. Gurudwara Sanh Sahib: This is located in Guru Ji’s birthplace village Basarke, district Amritsar.