Guru Amar Das
Topic: Regional Resistance: Rajputs, Ahoms, Sikhs · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Guru Amar Das was the third Sikh Guru, from 1552 to 1574. He organised the growing Sikh community into 22 manjis, which were preaching districts, each looked after by a trusted follower. He made the langar (the free community kitchen) important. Every visitor, rich or poor, had to sit and eat together before meeting him. He spoke against purdah, the custom of women covering their faces, and against sati, the burning of widows. His reforms gave Sikhism a firm structure and a strong message of equality.
Example
Guru Amar Das made Goindwal, in Punjab, his centre and built a stepwell (baoli) there. Tradition says that even the Mughal emperor Akbar ate in the langar before meeting the Guru.
Related concepts
- Guru Angad
- Guru Ram Das
- Masand system
- Guru Arjan
- Harmandir Sahib
- Guru Granth Sahib
- Guru Hargobind
- Miri-piri
- Akal Takht