Guru Amar Das Ji's journey to becoming the third Guru of the Sikhs began remarkably late in life.
For decades, Amar Das followed the religious traditions and pilgrimages he had inherited.
Then, after hearing Gurbani sung by Bibi Amro Ji, daughter of Guru Angad Dev Ji, his life changed.
He travelled to Khadur Sahib and spent the next twelve years in devoted seva, carrying water before dawn, gathering firewood, working in the kitchen and serving the Sangat.
In 1552, Guru Angad Dev Ji bestowed the Guruship upon him. Guru Amar Das Ji would spend the next 22 years building a Sikh community founded on equality, dignity and seva.
He strengthened the institution of Langar and the principle of Pangat; sitting together as equals before meeting the Guru. He challenged caste discrimination and untouchability, spoke against sati and purdah, advanced the participation of women in Sikh life, developed Goindwal Sahib as an important Sikh centre, and organised the growing Sikh community through the Manji system.
His bani also became an enduring part of Sikh life. Anand Sahib, the Song of Bliss, continues to be recited across the Sikh world.
This SikhNet historical video follows Guru Amar Das Ji's journey from pilgrim to sevadar to Guru, exploring the places connected with his life and the reforms and teachings that continue to shape Sikhi today.
On the Gurgaddi of Guru Amar Das Ji, we remember a life that demonstrated a profound principle: Authority comes through humility.