Born: 24 September 1534

Place of birth: Chuna Mandi, Lahore (Pakistan) 

Parents: Sri Haridas Ji Sodhi and Mata Daya Kaur Ji

Spouse: Bibi Bhani Ji

Children: Three sons Prithi Chand, Mahadev and Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Period: During the reign of Emperor Akbar in Delhi

Guru’s seat: In 1564

Died: 1 September 1581 in Goindwal

Guru Ramdas Ji’s given name was Bhai Jetha. He was born to Haridas Ji Sodhi and Mata Daya Kaur in Chuna Mandi, Lahore on 24 September 1534. He was still very young when both his parents died and he was shifted to Basarke to his maternal grandfather’s village. His grandfather’s family was not well to do hence he used to sell boiled gram in his early days. Later he shifted to Goindwal but continued selling the same stuff there too. He met Guru Amar Das Ji here and was then married to his daughter Bibi Bhani. Although he was the son-in-law of the house, he served and assisted Guru Amardas Ji in every way possible.

In Goindwal the step-well was being constructed with community labour. Like everybody else Bhai Jetha Ji would also carry the construction material on his head. His relatives noticed that and complained to Guru Amardas Ji that it wasn’t nice to see the son-in-law of the house, carrying load like this. Guru Ji summoned Bhai Jetha and asked his opinion. He replied, "I do not serve my father-in-law, I serve my saviour Guru." Bibi Bhani too served her father with the same ardour. Bibi Bhani asked from him for a boon of endless service. Guru Amardas, perceiving the circumstances replied that the boon of endless service was entirely at God’s will and she should remember that this may mean her progeny may have to sacrifice a lot. (The circumstances eventually did extract a heavy toll; the progeny of Bibi Bhani, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s entire family had to sacrifice everything for Sikhism.)

Sri Guru Ramdas Ji and Bibi Bhani continuously and selflessly served Guru Amardas Ji for twenty years and gave guidance to the followers’ community. Appreciating all this Guru Amardas Ji bequeathed the guru’s seat to Bhai Jetha Ji (Guru Ramdas) in the year1631 of Bikrami calendar.

Amritsar is founded - Guru Amardas Ji told Bhai Jetha (Guru Ramdas) that after the construction of the step-well is completed, Amritsar should be founded. Bhai Jetha Ji took Bhai Buddha and some other leading Sikhs and started excavation for a pool near Sultanwind. Then a village called Guru ka Chakk was established. This came to be known as Ramdaspur at first and Amritsar eventually. This construction continued from 1574 to 1581.

Guru Ram Das Ji united Sikhs into one economic entity, propagated the religion and continued the tradition of langar. A practice of contributing one-tenth of one’s income for community and religious expenses was also started and Guru Ji appointed preachers-cum collectors, Masands, for this purpose. (However later Guru Gobind Singh abolished them as they had started appropriating the money for their own ends.) He propagated community discourses, chanting of hymns and service to purify the mind. The importance attached to the story of a leper getting cured by bathing in the sacred pond also has a thought behind it. This tale underlines the fact that human existence is an amalgamation of body, mind and soul. Self -confidence and self-inspiration can strengthen the body. The leper gained faith in God under Guru Ramdas Ji’s guidance, his loyal and intelligent wife instilled confidence in him and this strengthening of mind cured his body too. The fourth, fifth and sixth Gurus transformed Amritsar into the centre of Sikhism through community worship and selfless service. Later valour was also added to worship. Many people like Bhai Godariya, Baba Sri Chand, seers and sages came into Guru Ramdas Ji’s contact and went away after imbibing the virtues of worship, selfless service, humility and philanthropy. The leading Sikhs of Guru Ji included Bhai Gurdas, Bhai Bhikhari, Bhai Adam, Saman Shah, Bhai Gurmukh, Taru-Bharu, Mahanand and Manak Chand.

Guru Ji composed gurbani in many ragas. His works recorded in Guru Granth Sahib comprise of hymns, couplets and ballads full of resonance and fervour.

Guru Ji’s youngest son Arjan Dev Ji wrote a mournful letter to him from Lahore, "Mera man loche gur darshan tayin." ( My heart yearns for my Guru’s sight...).

Guru Ji was very pleased to read this letter. He reckoned him to be the most exemplary of his sons and bequeathed the guruship to Arjan Dev. He died on first September 1581.

Famous Gurudwaras: Guru Ramdas Ji spent most of his time in Guru Amardas Ji’s service and hence paid less attention to establishing gurudwaras.

1. Guru Ka Mahal is gurudwara locate at his place of residence.