Guru Ram Das

Guru Ram Das - Spiritual, Birthday and Family

Violet FieldHome › IndianGuru Ram DasOctober 9, 1534403 views

0 based on 0 rates
Guru Ram Das Biography Stories 

Guru Ram Das's Personal Details

Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the ten Gurus of Sikhism

InformationDetail
BirthdayOctober 9, 1534
Died onSeptember 1, 1581
NationalityIndian
FamousLeaders, Spiritual & Religious Leaders, Fourth Sikh Guru, Religious Leaders, Spiritual
SpousesMata Bhani
ChildrensGuru Arjan
Birth PlaceLahore
GenderMale
Sun SignLibra
Born inLahore
Famous asFourth Sikh Guru
Died at Age46

// Famous Religious Leaders

Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad was the founder of Islam, one of the most widespread religions in the world. This biography profiles his childhood, life story, achievements and more.

Murad IV

Murad IV

Murad IV was one of the mighty Sultans in the history of the Ottoman Empire. This biography profiles his childhood, family, accession, rule, administration and timeline.

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle is a well-known spiritual leader, and author. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, spiritual awakening, etc.

Guru Ram Das's photo

Who is Guru Ram Das?

Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the ten Gurus of Sikhism. He took forward the legacy of the first three Sikh gurus and made significant contributions to the development of Sikhism. He is especially revered for planning and developing the township of Ramdaspur which became the city of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs. Born into a Sodhi Khatri family in Lahore as Jetha, he was raised by pious and hardworking Hindu parents. He was spiritually inclined from a young age and sought the company of holy men. As a young man he came across a party of Sikhs who were on their way to Goindwal to pay homage to Guru Amar Das and decided to join them. On meeting the guru he was deeply influenced by his holiness and became his disciple. He worked hard under the guru’s supervision and served him wholeheartedly. Guru Amar Das was so impressed by the young man’s dedication that he gave his daughter in marriage to him. Jetha continued being a dedicated Sikh totally devoted to the service of God and humanity which made Guru Amar Das select him as his successor. Jetha assumed the Guru Gaddi as Guru Ram Das following the death of his predecessor.

Childhood & Early Life

Guru Ram Das was born as Bhai Jetha on 9 October 1534, in Chuna Mandi, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan into a Sodhi Khatri family. His parents were Har Das and Daya Vati (also known as Anup Devi), a hardworking and pious couple.

Jetha was a calm and happy child who was spiritually inclined from an early age. He loved to spend time in the company of holy men and engage in meaningful discussions with them.

He once came upon a party of Sikhs who were on their way to Goindwal to pay homage to Guru Amar Das. He decided to accompany them. Upon receiving the visitors, Guru Amar Das immediately noticed the dedication of the pious young man. Jetha too was highly influenced by the guru.

When the party he travelled with left for Lahore, Jetha decided to stay back and become a disciple of the guru.

Later Life

Jetha was a strong young man who believed in the dignity of physical labor. He worked hard in the various construction projects that were taking place in Goindwal under the guru’s supervision.

With time he endeared himself to Guru Amar Das who was very impressed by his hard work and determination. The guru decided to get him married to his daughter and the wedding took place in 1554.

The couple remained in Goindwal following their marriage and worked together in developing the place as an upcoming Sikh town. They performed voluntary service (Sewa) in the construction of the Baoli Sahib (sacred well) and continued their service to the guru.

In the late 1560s, some jealous Hindus complained to the Mughal Emperor Akbar that Guru Amar Das maligned both the Hindu and the Muslim religions with his teachings of Sikhism. On receiving the complaint, the Emperor sent a special messenger to Goindwal asking Guru Amar Das to see him.

Guru Amar Das could not go personally due to his advancing age but he sent Bhai Jetha instead to defend the tenets of Sikhism. Jetha successfully represented the guru before Akbar and satisfactorily replied to every query of the Mughal emperor. Impressed by the explanation given by Jetha, Akbar dismissed all the charges against the guru.

Jetha began building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 and went on to found the township of Ramdaspur which became the Sikh holy city of Amritsar. In Amritsar he designed the gurdwara Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Darbaar sahib or Golden Temple.

Guru Amar Das chose Bhai Jetha as his successor. He renamed him Guru Ram Das and gave him the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574. Guru Amar Das died on 1 September 1574, leaving behind Guru Ram Das to carry forward the legacy of the Sikh Gurus.

Guru Ram Das served as the Sikh leader for seven years. He composed many hymns, of which 688 are in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh supreme granth. His compositions are also included in Rehras Sahib and Kirtan Sohila which are daily prayers of Sikhs.

Major Works

Guru Ram Das is best known as the founder of the holy city of Amritsar, previously known as Ramdaspur. He founded it in 1574 on land he bought for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. The guru then designed the gurdwara Harmandir Sahib which translates as "The Abode of God". The gurdwara, informally known as the Golden Temple is one of the most famous tourist attractions in India.

He composed many hymns, including ‘Laavan’, a four-stanza hymn about the meaning of marriage. This hymn is read during the standard Sikh marriage ceremony known as the Anand Karaj during which the couple circumscribe the Guru Granth Sahib as each stanza of the Laavan is read.

Personal Life & Legacy

He was married to Bibi Bhani, the younger daughter of Guru Amar Das. They had three sons: Prithi Chand, Mahadev and Arjan. He chose his son Arjan as his successor.

Guru Ram Das died on 1 September 1581, in the city of Amritsar, Punjab.

// Famous Spiritual

Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad was the founder of Islam, one of the most widespread religions in the world. This biography profiles his childhood, life story, achievements and more.

Murad IV

Murad IV

Murad IV was one of the mighty Sultans in the history of the Ottoman Empire. This biography profiles his childhood, family, accession, rule, administration and timeline.

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle is a well-known spiritual leader, and author. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, spiritual awakening, etc.

Guru Ram Das biography timelines

  • // 9th Oct 1534
    Guru Ram Das was born as Bhai Jetha on 9 October 1534, in Chuna Mandi, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan into a Sodhi Khatri family. His parents were Har Das and Daya Vati (also known as Anup Devi), a hardworking and pious couple.
  • // 1554
    With time he endeared himself to Guru Amar Das who was very impressed by his hard work and determination. The guru decided to get him married to his daughter and the wedding took place in 1554.
  • // 1564
    Jetha began building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 and went on to found the township of Ramdaspur which became the Sikh holy city of Amritsar. In Amritsar he designed the gurdwara Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Darbaar sahib or Golden Temple.
  • // 1574
    Guru Ram Das is best known as the founder of the holy city of Amritsar, previously known as Ramdaspur. He founded it in 1574 on land he bought for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. The guru then designed the gurdwara Harmandir Sahib which translates as "The Abode of God". The gurdwara, informally known as the Golden Temple is one of the most famous tourist attractions in India.
  • // 1st Sep 1574
    Guru Amar Das chose Bhai Jetha as his successor. He renamed him Guru Ram Das and gave him the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574. Guru Amar Das died on 1 September 1574, leaving behind Guru Ram Das to carry forward the legacy of the Sikh Gurus.
  • // 1st Sep 1581
    Guru Ram Das died on 1 September 1581, in the city of Amritsar, Punjab.

// Famous Spiritual & Religious Leaders

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, and was responsible for awakening India spiritually. Check this biography to know in detail about his life, profile and timeline.

Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad was the founder of Islam, one of the most widespread religions in the world. This biography profiles his childhood, life story, achievements and more.

Murad IV

Murad IV

Murad IV was one of the mighty Sultans in the history of the Ottoman Empire. This biography profiles his childhood, family, accession, rule, administration and timeline.

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle is a well-known spiritual leader, and author. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, spiritual awakening, etc.

Russell M. Nelson

Russell M. Nelson

Russell M. Nelson is an American religious leader, author, and philanthropist. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Gautama Buddha

Gautama Buddha

Gautama Buddha was a spiritual leader on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. This biography of Gautama Buddha provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Guru Ram Das's FAQ

  • What is Guru Ram Das birthday?

    Guru Ram Das was born at 1534-10-09

  • When was Guru Ram Das died?

    Guru Ram Das was died at 1581-09-01

  • Where was Guru Ram Das died?

    Guru Ram Das was died in Goindval

  • Which age was Guru Ram Das died?

    Guru Ram Das was died at age 46

  • Where is Guru Ram Das's birth place?

    Guru Ram Das was born in Lahore

  • What is Guru Ram Das nationalities?

    Guru Ram Das's nationalities is Indian

  • Who is Guru Ram Das spouses?

    Guru Ram Das's spouses is Mata Bhani

  • Who is Guru Ram Das childrens?

    Guru Ram Das's childrens is Guru Arjan

  • What is Guru Ram Das's sun sign?

    Guru Ram Das is Libra

  • How famous is Guru Ram Das?

    Guru Ram Das is famouse as Fourth Sikh Guru