Guru Amar Das Ji
(1479 – 1574)
Harmony In History: Biography of Guru Amar Das Ji's Spiritual Saga
Guru Amar Das was the third Sikh guru. Born in a Khatri Hindu family, he was originally a Vaishnava Hindu who performed pilgrimages before becoming a follower of Guru Angad.
After dedicating himself to seva (selfless service), he was appointed the third Sikh guru in 1552 at the age of 73. Guru Amar Das was determined to strengthen the Sikh community’s identity. He strictly condemned sati (self-immolation of widows), female infanticide, veil-wearing, and isolation of women.
He met the famous Mughal emperor Akbar and impressed him with his wisdom. Expanding on the manji system established by Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das divided the expanding Sikh communities into 22 regions for better administration.
He composed and compiled hymns and continued the langar system started by Guru Nanak. In 1574, before his death, Guru Amar Das appointed his son-in-law Jetha (later known as Guru Ram Das) as his successor.
