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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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People File • Religious Leader

Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak (1469–1539) was an Indian spiritual teacher, poet, and religious reformer who is regarded as the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Guru Nanak (1469–1539) was an Indian spiritual teacher and poet who founded Sikhism as its first Guru.

Who he was

Guru Nanak was born on 15 April 1469 in Talvandi, now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. He worked in Sultanpur before beginning his public mission. He is regarded as the founder of Sikhism and the first of ten Sikh Gurus. His death is recorded as 22 September 1539 in Kartarpur, Punjab.

What he taught

His core message centered on devotion to one God, equality of all people, honest labour, and sharing with others. He rejected caste distinctions, religious ritualism, and superstition. His teachings are preserved in Sikh scripture and emphasize meditation on the divine name.

Why it matters

Guru Nanak is central to Sikh identity and devotion. His birth is commemorated as Guru Nanak Gurpurab, a major Sikh festival. In Canada, Sikh communities widely observe this day, reflecting the religion's significance here.

In short

  • Founder of Sikhism and first Sikh Guru
  • Emphasized one God, equality, honest work, and sharing
  • Born 1469 in present-day Pakistan; died 1539
  • Legacy celebrated globally, including by Canadian Sikhs
Canadian angle

Guru Nanak is widely venerated by Sikh communities in Canada, where Sikhism is one of the country’s major minority religions and Guru Nanak Gurpurab is observed by many Canadians.

Quick questions

Who was Guru Nanak?
A 15th-century Indian spiritual teacher, poet, and reformer who founded Sikhism as the first Sikh Guru.
What are Guru Nanak's main teachings?
Devotion to one God, equality of all people, honest living, and sharing with others.
How is Guru Nanak remembered in Canada?
Sikh communities in Canada honour him through Guru Nanak Gurpurab, a major festival widely observed across the country.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Guru-Nanak
    Supports: Birth and death, founder of Sikhism, first Guru, core teachings
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Nanak
    Supports: Dates, birthplace, role as founder of Sikhism
  3. BBC — https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/nanak.shtml
    Supports: Founder of Sikhism, birthday observance, birth location
  4. Pluralism Project — https://pluralism.org/guru-nanak
    Supports: Early life, revelation experience, later preaching and community formation