Guru Amar Das biography and teachings
In this article, you will come to about the biography of Guru Amar Das (third Sikh Guru) and his works for community welfare. Also, you will come to know the contributions of Guru Amar Das to Sikhism and his organization of the Sikh Sangat and about the successor of Guru Amar Das.
Guru Amar Das (ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰ ਦਾਸ): Third Founder Guru of the Sikhs
Sikh Guru Amar Das Ji, third guru of Sikhism, was born on 5 May, 1479 in Basarka, Punjab. Father of Guru Amar Das, Tej Bhan Bhalla, was a shopleeper and the name of mother of Guru Amar Das was Mata Lachmi. Guru Amar Das was eldest son of his parents. Wife of Guru Amar Das Ji gave birth to four children. The name of sons of Guru Amar Das was Mohan Ji & Mohri Ji and the anem of daughters of Guru Amar Das was Bibi Bhani Ji & Bibi Dani Ji. The elder daughter of Guru Amar Das was later married with Bhai Jetha who was later named as Guru Ram Das and was the fourth Guru of the Sikhs.
Guru Ram Das Ji was given the title of third Guru of Sikhism on 26 March, 1552.Contributions of Guru Amar Das to Sikhism
Organization of the Sikh people Sangat
Guru Amar Das organized the Sikh sangat into 22 branches. These branches are called Manjis. He also appointed a local Sikh preacher for each branch. Following are some of the 22 branches:
* Jalandhar Doab:
- Paro Julka at Jalandar.
- Mahesh Dhir at Sultanpur Lodi.
* Malwa (Area of Patiala, Ludhiana, Bhatinda):
- Kheira at Firozpur.
- Baba Nand Lal ji at Village Gharuan, Tehsil Kharar, Dist. Ropar
- Mai Das Bairagi in charge of Ludhiana dist.
- Sachna Shah in charge of Ambala distt.
- Mai Bhago at village Wayun, tehsil Kharar, dist. Rupar.
- Mai Sewan at Village Gardnoh in Patiala District.
* Kashmir Hills:
- Phirya at Mirpur.
* Majha (Amritsar, Lahore, Sialkote):
- Hindal at Jandiala near Amritsar.
- Sada ram, a Blacksmith near Amritsar.
- Manak Chand Jhinwar (Water Carrier) at Variowal in Amritsar.
- Mutho-Murari, a devoted couple, at Chunian in Lahore Dist.
- Gangu Shah banker at Lahore.
* Kangra Hills:
- Sawan mal, Nephew of Guru Amar Das, at Haripur Guler.
- Name not given, at Dharamsala.
* Sind:
- Lalu in charge of some area in Sind.Successor of Guru Amar Das
Guru Amar Das died on 1 September 1574 in Amritsar city of Punjab. Before his death, he declared Guru Ram Das as his successor i.e. fourth Guru of Sikhism.