View source for Biography:Guru Nanak

{{Short description|Founder and first guru of Sikhism (1469–1539)}}
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{{Infobox religious biography
| name               = Guru Nanak
| image              = Mural painting of Guru Nanak from Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai.jpg
| alt                = Mural painting of Guru Nanak from Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai
| caption            = 19th-century mural painting from Gurdwara Baba Atal depicting Nanak
| birth_name         = Nanak
| birth_date         = 15 April 1469 ([[Astronomy:Kartik Purnima|Katak Pooranmashi]], according to Sikh tradition){{sfn|Gupta|1984|p=49}}
| birth_place        = Rāi Bhoi Kī Talvaṇḍī, [[Place:Punjab|Punjab]], [[History:Delhi Sultanate|Delhi Sultanate]] <br> {{small|(present-day Nankana Sahib, Punjab, {{wipe|Pakistan}})}}
| death_date         = {{Death-date and age|22 September 1539|15 April 1469}}
| death_place        = Kartarpur, [[Place:Punjab|Punjab]], Mughal Empire <br> {{small|(present-day Punjab, Pakistan)}}
| resting_place      = Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Kartarpur, Punjab, Pakistan
| known_for          =* Founder of [[Religion:Sikhism|Sikhism]]
* Writing Japji Sahib
* Writing Kirtan Sohila
| successor          = [[Biography:Guru Angad|Guru Angad]]
| parents            = Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta
| spouse             = Mata Sulakhani
| children           = Sri Chand<br>Lakhmi Das
| religion           = [[Religion:Sikhism|Sikhism]]
| location           = Kartarpur
| other_name         = First Master<br>''Peer Balagdaan'' (in Afghanistan)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Service |first1=Tribune News |title=Booklet on Guru Nanak Dev's teachings released |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/ludhiana/booklet-on-guru-nanak-dev%E2%80%99s-teachings-released-859755 |work=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en |quote=Rare is a saint who has travelled and preached as widely as Guru Nanak Dev. He was known as Nanakachraya in Sri Lanka, Nanak Lama in Tibet, Guru Rimpochea in Sikkim, Nanak Rishi in Nepal, Nanak Peer in Baghdad, Wali Hind in Mecca, Nanak Vali in Misar, Nanak Kadamdar in Russia, Baba Nanak in Iraq, Peer Balagdaan in Mazahar Sharif and Baba Foosa in China, said Dr S S Sibia, director of Sibia Medical Centre.}}</ref><br>''Nanakachryaya'' (in Sri Lanka)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref><br>''Nanak Lama'' (in Tibet)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref><br>''Guru Rinpoche'' (in Sikkim and Bhutan)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref><br>''Nanak Rishi'' (in Nepal)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref><br>''Nanak Peer'' (in Iraq)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref><br>''Vali Hindi'' (in Saudi Arabia)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref><br>''Nanak Vali'' (in Egypt)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref><br>''Nanak Kadamdar'' (in Russia)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref><br>''Baba Foosa'' (in China)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Janet |title=Guru Nanak: 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder: Phoenix Art Museum, The Khanuja Family Sikh Art Gallery, 17 August 2019–29 March 2020 |journal=Sikh Formations |date=2 October 2019 |volume=15 |issue=3–4 |pages=499 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2019.1685641|s2cid=210494526 }}</ref>
| signature          = Pothi written by Guru Nanak.jpg
}}

'''Gurū Nānak''' (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539; Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ; pronunciation: {{IPA-pa|gʊɾuː naːnəkᵊ|}}, {{audio|Guru Nanak Dev.ogg|pronunciation|help=no}}), also known as '''{{Lang-pa|Bābā Nānak|label=none}}''' ('Father Nānak'),{{sfn|Macauliffe|1909|p=lvii}} was the founder of [[Religion:Sikhism|Sikhism]] and is the first of the ten [[Biography:Sikh gurus|Sikh Gurus]]. His birth is celebrated as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on ''[[Astronomy:Kartik Purnima|Katak Pooranmashi]]'' ('full-moon of [[Religion:Kattak|Kattak]]'), i.e. October–November.

Nanak is said to have travelled far and wide across [[Earth:Asia|Asia]] teaching people the message of ''[[Religion:Ik Onkar|Ik Onkar]]'' ({{Lang-pa|ੴ|lit=One God|label=none}}), who dwells in every one of his creations and constitutes the eternal Truth.{{sfn|Hayer|1988|p=14}} With this concept, he would set up a unique [[Philosophy:Spirituality|spiritual]], social, and political platform based on equality, fraternal love, goodness, and virtue.{{sfn|Sidhu|2009|p=26}}{{sfn|Khorana|1991|p=214}}{{sfn|Prasoon|2007}}

Nanak's words are registered in the form of 974 poetic [[Religion:Hymn|hymn]]s, or ''[[Philosophy:Shabda|shabda]]'', in the holy religious scripture of Sikhism, the [[Biography:Guru Granth Sahib|Guru Granth Sahib]], with some of the major prayers being the ''Japji Sahib'' ({{Lang-pa|jap|lit=to recite|label=none|italic=yes}}; ''ji'' and ''sahib'' are suffixes signifying respect); the ''[[Religion:Asa di Var|Asa di Var]]'' ('Ballad of Hope'); and the ''Sidh Gosht'' ('Discussion with the Siddhas'). It is part of Sikh religious belief that the spirit of Nanak's {{Wikt-lang|en|sanctity|i=no}}, divinity, and religious authority had descended upon each of the nine subsequent Gurus when the Guruship was devolved on to them.

== Biography ==

=== Birth ===
[[File:The Entrance of Janam Asthan-2.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, commemorates the site where Nanak is believed to have been born.]]{{See also|Guru Nanak Gurpurab}}
Nanak was born on 15 April 1469 at Rāi Bhoi Kī Talvaṇḍī village (present-day Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan) in the Lahore province of the [[History:Delhi Sultanate|Delhi Sultanate]],{{sfn|Singh|2006|pp=12–13}}{{sfn|Grewal|1998|p=6}} although according to one tradition, he was born in the Indian month of Kārtik or November, known as [[Religion:Kattak|Kattak]] in Punjabi.{{sfn|Gupta|1984|p=49}} He was born into the Khatri [[Social:Punjabis|Punjabi]] clan like all of the [[Biography:Sikh gurus|Sikh gurus]]. Specifically, Guru Nanak was a Bedi Khatri.

Most ''[[Religion:Janamsakhis|janamsakhis]]'' ({{Lang-pa|ਜਨਮਸਾਖੀ|lit=birth stories|label=none}}), or traditional biographies of Nanak, mention that he was born on the third day of the [[Astronomy:Shukla paksha|bright lunar fortnight]], in the Baisakh month (April) of [[History:Vikram Samvat|Samvat]] 1526.{{sfn|Gupta|1984|p=49}} These include the ''[[Religion:Janamsakhis#Editions|Puratan]]'' ('traditional' or 'ancient') ''janamsakhi'', [[Religion:Janamsakhis#The Miharban Janam-sakhi|''Miharban'' ''janamsakhi'']], ''[[Religion:Janamsakhis#Bhai Mani Singh’s Janamsakhi|Gyan-ratanavali]]'' by Bhai Mani Singh, and the ''Vilayat Vali janamsakhi''.{{sfn|Gupta|1984|p=50}} Gurbilas Patashahi 6, written 1718, also attributed to Bhai Mani Singh contradicts Mani Singh’s Janamsakhi as it instead says Guru Nanak was born on the full moon of Katak.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Dr. Trilochan |url=http://ignca.nic.in/Asi_data/48740.pdf |title=Guru Nanak: Founder of Sikhism: A Biography |pages=489–491}}</ref> The Sikh records state that Nanak died on the 10th day of the Asauj month of Samvat 1596 (22 September 1539&nbsp;CE), at the age of 70 years, 5 months, and 7 days. This further suggests that he was born in the month of Vaisakh (April), not Kattak (November).{{sfn|Gupta|1984|p=54}}

==== Kattak birthdate ====
[[File:Birth of Guru Nanak, painting from an 1830's Janamsakhi (life stories) 13.jpg|thumb|Birth of Guru Nanak, painting from an 1830's [[Religion:Janamsakhis|Janamsakhi]].]]
In as late as 1815, during the reign of Ranjit Singh, the festival commemorating Nanak's birthday was held in April at the place of his birth, known by then as Nankana Sahib.{{sfn|Gupta|1984|p=50}} However, the anniversary of Nanak's birth—the Gurpurab (''[[Biography:Guru|gur]]'' + {{Lang-pa|purab|lit=celebration|label=none|italic=yes}})—subsequently came to be celebrated on the full moon day of the Kattak month in November. The earliest record of such a celebration in Nankana Sahib is from 1868&nbsp;CE.{{sfn|Gupta|1984|p=52}}

There may be several reasons for the adoption of the Kattak birthdate by the Sikh community. For one, it may have been the date of Nanak's enlightenment or "spiritual birth" in 1496, as suggested by the ''[[Religion:Dabestan-e Mazaheb|Dabestan-e Mazaheb]]''.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Some of the sources that support the Katak birthday incident:

The Bala Janamasakhi supports the Kattak birth tradition. It is the only Janamsakhi that does. Bhai Bala is said to have obtained Nanak's horoscope from Nanak's uncle Lalu, according to which, Nanak was born on a date corresponding to 20 October 1469&nbsp;CE. However, this janamsakhi was written by Handalis—a sect of Sikhs who followed a Sikh-convert known as Handal—attempting to depict the founder as superior to Nanak.{{sfn|Gupta|1984|pp=50–51}} According to a superstition prevailing in contemporary northern India, a child born in the Kattak month was believed to be weak and unlucky, hence why the work states that Nanak was born in that month.{{sfn|Gupta|1984|pp=50–51}}

Bhai Gurdas, having written on a full-moon-day of the Kattak month several decades after Nanak's death, mentions that Nanak had "obtained omniscience" on the same day, and it was now the author's turn to "get divine light."{{sfn|Gupta|1984|pp=53–54}}

According to eyewitness Sikh chronicles, known as Bhatt Vahis, Guru Nanak was born on the full moon of Katak.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Bindra |first=Pritpal Singh |title=Guru Kian Sakhian Tales of the Sikh Gurus |pages=78}}</ref>

Gurbilas Patashahi 6 written 1718<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gurbilas Chhevian Patashahi |date=19 December 2000 |url=https://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/sikh-scriptures-and-literature/eighteenth-century-literature/gukbilas-chhevin-patshahi/}}</ref> attributed to Bhai Mani Singh says Guru Nanak was born on the full moon of Katak.<ref name=":1" />

Meham Parkash written in 1776 also says Guru Nanak was born on the full moon of Katak.<ref name=":1" />

Kesar Singh Chibber’s Bansavalinama Dasan Patashahia Ka meaning genealogy of the ten emperors, written in 1769,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-12-19 |title=BANSAVALINAMA DASAN PATSHAHIAN KA - The Sikh Encyclopedia |url=https://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/sikh-scriptures-and-literature/eighteenth-century-literature/bansavalinama-dasan-patshahian-ka/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> says Guru Nanak was born on the full moon of Katak as well.<ref name=":1" />

Gurpurnali written in 1727 and Guru Tegh Bahadur Malwe da Safar written in 1716 both mention Guru Nanank being born on the full moon of Katak.<ref name=":1" />

Nanak Chandrodaya Sanskrit Janamsakhi from 1797 and Janam Sakhi Baba Nanak by Sant Das Chibber from the 18th century both mention Guru Nanak being born on the full moon of katak.<ref name=":1" />

Gurpur Parkash Granth written by Sant Ren Singh based on a granth written by Binod Singh states Guru Nanak was born on the full moon of Katak.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ren |url=https://sikhbookclub.com/Book/Sri-Gur-Pur-Prakash-Part-1 |title=Gurpur Parkash}}</ref>

According to Max Arthur Macauliffe (1909), a Hindu festival held in the 19th century on [[Astronomy:Kartik Purnima|Kartik Purnima]] in Amritsar attracted a large number of Sikhs. The Sikh community leader [[Religion:Gyani|Giani]] Sant Singh did not like this, thus starting a festival at the Sikh shrine of the Golden Temple on the same day, presenting it as the birth anniversary celebration of Guru Nanak.{{sfn|Macauliffe|1909|p=lxxiv}}

Macauliffe also notes that Vaisakh (March–April) already saw a number of important festivals—such as Holi, [[Biology:Rama Navami|Rama Navami]], and Vaisakhi—therefore people would be busy in agricultural activities after the harvest festival of Baisakhi. Therefore, holding Nanak's birth anniversary celebrations immediately after Vaisakhi would have resulted in thin attendance, and therefore, smaller donations for the Sikh shrines. On the other hand, by the Kattak full moon day, the major Hindu festival of Diwali was already over, and the peasants—who had surplus cash from crop sales—were able to donate generously.{{sfn|Gupta|1984|pp=51–52}}

=== Family and early life ===
Nanak's parents, including father Kalyan Chand Das Bedi (commonly shortened to Mehta Kalu{{Efn|Various appellations are connected to Nanak's father, some of them are: 'Mehta Kalu', 'Kalu Rai', 'Kalu Chand', 'Kalian Rai', and 'Kalian Chand'.|group=note}}<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Singh |first=Bhupinder |date=October–December 2019 |title=Genealogy of Guru Nanak |url=https://sikhinstitute.org/oc_2019/colbhupindersingh.html |journal=Abstracts of Sikh Studies |publisher=Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh |volume=21 |issue=4}}</ref>) and mother Mata Tripta,{{sfn|SGPC: Guru Nanak Sahib}} were both Hindu Khatris and employed as merchants.{{sfn|Singha|2009a|p=125}}{{sfn|McLeod|2009|p=86}} His father, in particular, was the local ''patwari'' (accountant) for crop revenue in the village of Talwandi.{{sfn|Nankana: Rai Bular Bhatti}} Nanak's paternal grandfather was named Shiv Ram Bedi and his great-grandfather was Ram Narayan Bedi.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Jain |first=Harish C. |title=The Making of Punjab |publisher=Unistar Books |year=2003 |pages=268}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

According to Sikh traditions, the birth and early years of Nanak's life were marked with many events that demonstrated that Nanak had been blessed with divine grace.{{sfn|BBC: Religions|2011}} Commentaries on his life give details of his blossoming awareness from a young age. For instance, at the age of five, Nanak is said to have voiced interest in divine subjects. At age seven, his father enrolled him at the village school, as per custom.{{sfn|Macauliffe|2004}} Notable lore recounts that, as a child, Nanak astonished his teacher by describing the implicit symbolism of the first letter of the alphabet, resembling the mathematical version of one, as denoting the unity or oneness of God.{{sfn|Cunningham|1853|pp=37–38}} Other stories of his childhood refer to strange and miraculous events about Nanak, such as the one witnessed by Rai Bular, in which the sleeping child's head was shaded from the harsh sunlight by, in one account, by the stationary shadow of a tree{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} or, in another, by a venomous cobra.{{sfn|Singh|1984|p=18}} [[File:Kartarpur Guru Nanak.jpg|thumb|Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartar Pur in Narowal, Pakistan, marks the site where Guru Nanak is said to have died.{{sfn|Singh|2000}} ]]

Nanaki, Nanak's only sister, was five years older than him. In 1475, she married and moved to Sultanpur.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} Jai Ram, Nanaki's husband, was employed at a ''modikhana'' (a storehouse for revenues collected in non-cash form), in the service of the [[History:Delhi Sultanate|Delhi Sultanate]]'s Lahore governor Daulat Khan, at which Ram would help Nanak get a job.{{sfn|Grewal|1998|p=7}} Nanak moved to Sultanpur, and started working at the modikhana around the age of 16.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


=== Final years ===
[[File:Gurdwara Baba Atal fresco 39.jpg|thumb|Hindus and Muslims disputing over the final rites of Guru Nanak. 19th century fresco from Gurdwara Baba Atal, Amritsar.]]
Around the age of 55, Nanak settled in Kartarpur, living there until his death in September 1539. During this period, he went on short journeys to the Nath [[Philosophy:Yogi|yogi]] centre of Achal, and the Sufi centres of Pakpattan and Multan. By the time of his death, Nanak had acquired several followers in the [[Place:Punjab|Punjab region]], although it is hard to estimate their number based on the extant historical evidence.{{sfn|Grewal|1998|p=8}} The followers of Nanak were called ''Kartārīs'' (meaning 'the people who belonged to the village of Kartarpur') by others.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Singh |first=Pashaura |date=2021-04-03 |title=Ideological basis in the formation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the Shiromani Akali Dal: exploring the concept of Guru-Panth |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17448727.2021.1873656 |journal=Sikh Formations |language=en |volume=17 |issue=1–2 |pages=16–33 |doi=10.1080/17448727.2021.1873656 |s2cid=234146387 |issn=1744-8727 |quote=Unsurprisingly, Guru Nanak’s followers were frequently referred to as Kartārīs, the people who belonged to the village of Kartarpur (Singh 2006, 106 & 129, n. 4).}}</ref>

Nanak appointed Bhai Lehna as the successor [[Biography:Guru|Guru]], renaming him as [[Biography:Guru Angad|Guru ''Angad'']], meaning "one's very own" or "part of you". Shortly after proclaiming his successor, Nanak died on 22 September 1539 in Kartarpur, at the age of 70. According to Sikh hagiography, his body was never found. When the quarreling Hindus and Muslims tugged at the sheet covering his body, they found instead a heap of flowers—and so Nanak’s simple faith would, in course of time, flower into a religion, beset by its own contradictions and customary practices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://southasia.ucla.edu/religions/gurus-saints/guru-nanak/|title=Guru Nanak|website=MANAS}}</ref>[[File:SriGuruNanak'sTravels.jpg|thumb|The four Udasis and other locations visited by Guru Nanak]]
[[File:A Sikh Monument in Rohtas by Usman Ghani.jpg|thumb|The abandoned Gurudwara Chowa Sahib, located near the Rohtas Fort in {{wipe|Pakistan}}, commemorates the site where Guru Nanak is popularly believed to have created a water-spring during one of his ''udasis.''{{sfn|Singh|Kapur|2004|p=174}} ]]
[[File:PunjaSahib.jpg|thumb|Guru Nanak's handprint is believed to be preserved on a boulder at the Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Pakistan.]]
[[File:Coin from Vikram Samvat 1804 = 1747 A.D depicting Guru Nanak.jpg|alt=Coin from 1747 CE depicting Guru Nanak|thumb|200x200px|Coin from 1747 CE depicting Guru Nanak with his two disciples, Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala waving a ''chaur'' (fly-whisk) as a mark of respect.]]

== Odysseys (''Udasis'') ==
{{Not to be confused with|Udasi|text=[[Philosophy:Udasi|Udasi]], a religious sect of ascetics founded by Sri Chand, Guru Nanak's son}}
During first quarter of the 16th century, Nanak went on long ''udasiya'' ('journeys') for spiritual pursuits. A verse authored by him states that he visited several places in "''nau-khand''" ('the nine regions of the earth'), presumably the major Hindu and Muslim pilgrimage centres.{{sfn|Grewal|1998|p=7}}

Some modern accounts state that he visited [[Place:Tibet|Tibet]], most of [[Place:South Asia|South Asia]], and [[Place:Arabian Peninsula|Arabia]], starting in 1496 at age 27, when he left his family for a thirty-year period.{{sfn|BBC: Religions|2011}}{{sfn|Dilgeer|2008}}{{sfn|Johal|2011|pp=125, note 1}} These claims include Nanak's visit to Mount Sumeru of [[Religion:Hindu mythology|Indian mythology]], as well as [[Place:Mecca|Mecca]], [[Place:Baghdad|Baghdad]], Achal Batala, and Multan, where he would debate religious ideas with opposing groups.{{sfn|Callewaert|Snell|1994|pp=26–7}} These stories became widely popular in the 19th and 20th century, and exist in many versions.{{sfn|Lorenzen|1995}}{{sfn|Callewaert|Snell|1994|pp=26–7}}

In 1508, Nanak visited the Sylhet region in [[Place:Bengal|Bengal]].{{cn|date=January 2021}} The ''janamsakhis'' suggest that Nanak visited the [[Biology:Ram Janmabhoomi|Ram Janmabhoomi]] temple in [[Place:Ayodhya|Ayodhya]] in 1510–11 CE.{{sfn|Garg|2019}}

The Baghdad inscription remains the basis of writing by Indian scholars that Guru Nanak journeyed in the Middle East, with some claiming he visited [[Place:Jerusalem|Jerusalem]], [[Place:Mecca|Mecca]], [[Religion:Vatican City|Vatican]], [[Place:Azerbaijan|Azerbaijan]] and [[Place:Sudan (region)|Sudan]].{{sfn|Gulati|2008|pp=316–319}}

=== Disputes ===
The hagiographic details are a subject of dispute, with modern scholarship questioning the details and authenticity of many claims. For example, Callewaert and Snell (1994) state that early Sikh texts do not contain such stories.{{sfn|Callewaert|Snell|1994|pp=26–7}} From when the travel stories first appear in hagiographic accounts of Guru Nanak, centuries after his death, they continue to become more sophisticated as time goes on, with the late phase ''Puratan'' version describing four missionary journeys, which differ from the ''Miharban'' version.{{sfn|Callewaert|Snell|1994|pp=26–7}}{{sfn|Lorenzen|1995|pp=41–2}}

Some of the stories about Guru Nanak's extensive travels first appear in the 19th-century ''Puratan'' janamsakhi, though even this version does not mention Nanak's travel to Baghdad.{{sfn|Callewaert|Snell|1994|pp=26–7}} Such embellishments and insertion of new stories, according to Callewaert and Snell (1993), closely parallel claims of miracles by [[Religion:Pir (Sufism)|Islamic ''pirs'']] found in Sufi ''tadhkirahs'' of the same era, giving reason to believe that these legends may have been written in a competition.{{sfn|McLeod|2007|pp=42–44}}{{sfn|Callewaert|Snell|1994|pp=26–7}}

Another source of dispute has been the Baghdad stone, bearing an inscription{{clarify|date=January 2021}} in a Turkish script. Some interpret the inscription as saying ''Baba Nanak Fakir'' was there in 1511–1512; others read it as saying 1521–1522 (and that he lived in the Middle East for 11 years away from his family). Others, particularly Western scholars, argue that the stone inscription is from the 19th century and the stone is not a reliable evidence that Nanak visited Baghdad in early 16th century.{{sfn|Ménage|1979|pp=16–21}} Moreover, beyond the stone, no evidence or mention of his journey in the Middle East has been found in any other Middle Eastern textual or epigraphical records. Claims have been asserted of additional inscriptions, but no one has been able to locate and verify them.{{sfn|McLeod|2004|pp=127–31}}

Novel claims about his travels, as well as claims such as his body vanishing after his death, are also found in later versions and these are similar to the miracle stories in Sufi literature about their ''pirs''. Other direct and indirect borrowings in the Sikh ''janamsakhis'' relating to legends around his journeys are from [[Religion:Indian epic poetry|Hindu epics]] and ''[[Religion:Puranas|puranas]],'' and [[Religion:Buddhism|Buddhist]] Jataka stories.{{sfn|Lorenzen|1995}}{{sfn|Oberoi|1994|p=55}}{{sfn|Callewaert|Snell|1994|pp=27–30}} [[File:Bhai Mani Singh's Janamsakhi.jpg|thumb|left|Bhai Mani Singh's ''Janamsakhi'']]

== Posthumous biographies ==
The earliest biographical sources on Nanak's life recognised today are the ''[[Religion:Janamsakhis|janamsakhis]]'' ('birth stories'), which recount the circumstances of his birth in extended detail.

''Gyan-ratanavali'' is the janamsakhi attributed to Bhai Mani Singh, a disciple of [[Biography:Guru Gobind Singh|Guru Gobind Singh]]{{Clarify|reason=Is a comma missing here?|date=May 2023}} who was approached by some Sikhs with a request that he should prepare an authentic account of Nanak's life. As such, it is said that Bhai Mani Singh wrote his story with the express intention of correcting [[Religion:Heresy|heretical]] accounts of Nanak.

One popular janamsakhi was allegedly written by Bhai Bala, a close companion of Nanak. However, the writing style and language employed have left scholars, such as Max Arthur Macauliffe, certain that they were composed after his death.{{sfn|Macauliffe|2004}} According to such scholars, there are good reasons to doubt the claim that the author was a close companion of Guru Nanak and accompanied him on many of his travels.

Bhai Gurdas, a scribe of the [[Biography:Guru Granth Sahib|Guru Granth Sahib]], also wrote about Nanak's life in his ''vars'' ('odes'), which were compiled some time after Nanak's life, though are less detailed than the janamsakhis.

== Teachings and legacy ==
[[File:Fresco of Guru Nanak from above the entrance of the Baoli Sahib located in Goindwal.jpg|alt=|thumb|260x260px|Fresco of Guru Nanak from Baoli Sahib, Goindwal]]
Nanak's teachings can be found in the Sikh scripture [[Biography:Guru Granth Sahib|Guru Granth Sahib]], as a collection of verses recorded in Gurmukhi.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

There are three competing theories on Nanak's teachings.{{sfn|Mandair|2013|pp=131–34}} The first, according to Cole and Sambhi (1995, 1997), based on the hagiographical ''[[Religion:Janamsakhis|Janamsakhis]]'',{{sfn|Cole|Sambhi|1995|pp=9–12}} states that Nanak's teachings and [[Religion:Sikhism|Sikhism]] were revelations from God, and not a social protest movement, nor an attempt to reconcile [[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]] and [[Religion:Islam|Islam]] in the 15th century.{{sfn|Cole|Sambhi|1997|p=71}}

The second theory states that Nanak was a [[Biography:Guru|Guru]], not a prophet. According to Singha (2009):{{sfn|Singha|2009a|p=104}} <blockquote>Sikhism does not subscribe to the theory of [[Religion:Incarnation|incarnation]] or the concept of [[Religion:Prophet|prophet]] hood. But it has a pivotal concept of Guru. He is not an incarnation of God, not even a prophet. He is an illumined soul.</blockquote>
The third theory is that Guru Nanak is the incarnation of God. This has been supported by many Sikhs including Bhai Gurdas, Bhai Vir Singh, Santhok Singh and is supported by the Guru Granth Sahib.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Bhai Gurdas says:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vaaran Bhai Gurdas:- Vaar1-Pauri17-ਜੁਗ ਗਰਦੀ-Anachy of the agesਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ; :-SearchGurbani.com |url=http://www.searchgurbani.com/bhai-gurdas-vaaran/vaar/1/pauri/17/line/1 |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=www.searchgurbani.com |language=en}}</ref>
<blockquote>

ਗੁਰ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਇਕੁ ਹੈ ਸਚਾ ਸਾਹੁ ਜਗਤੁ ਵਣਜਾਰਾ।

The Guru and God are one; He is the true master and the whole world craves for Him.</blockquote>
Additionally, in the Guru Granth Sahib, it is stated:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ang 306 of Guru Granth Sahib Ji - SikhiToTheMax |url=https://www.sikhitothemax.org/ang?ang=306&source=G |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=www.sikhitothemax.org |language=en}}</ref>
<blockquote>

ਨਾਨਕ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਸਫਲ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੀ ਫਿਰਿ ਲੇਖਾ ਮੰਗੈ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥੨॥

O Nanak, serve the Guru, the Lord Incarnate; the Blessed Vision of His Darshan is profitable, and in the end, you shall not be called to account. ||2||</blockquote>

[[Biography:Guru Ram Das|Guru Ram Das]] says:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji -: Ang : 442 -: ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ :- SearchGurbani.com |url=http://www.searchgurbani.com/guru-granth-sahib/ang/442 |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=www.searchgurbani.com |language=en}}</ref> 
<blockquote>

ਗੁਰ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਗੋੁਵਿੰਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਭੇਦੁ ਨ ਭਾਈ ॥੪॥੧॥੮॥

The Guru is God, and God is the Guru, O Nanak; there is no difference between the two, O Siblings of Destiny. ||4||1||8||</blockquote>

The hagiographical ''Janamsakhis'' were not written by Nanak, but by later followers without regard for historical accuracy, containing numerous legends and myths created to show respect for Nanak.{{sfn|Singh|2011|pp=2–8}} In Sikhism, the term ''revelation'', as Cole and Sambhi clarify, is not limited to the teachings of Nanak. Rather, they include all [[Biography:Sikh gurus|Sikh Gurus]], as well as the words of men and women from Nanak's past, present, and future, who possess divine knowledge intuitively through meditation. The Sikh revelations include the words of non-Sikh ''bhagats'' (Hindu & Muslim devotees), some who lived and died before the birth of Nanak, and whose teachings are part of the Sikh scriptures.{{sfn|Cole|Sambhi|1995|pp=46, 52–3, 95–6, 159}}

The Adi Granth and successive Sikh Gurus repeatedly emphasised, suggests Mandair (2013), that Sikhism is "not about hearing voices from God, but it is about changing the nature of the human mind, and anyone can achieve direct experience and spiritual perfection at any time."{{sfn|Mandair|2013|pp=131–34}} Nanak emphasised that all human beings can have direct access to God without rituals or priests.{{sfn|BBC: Religions|2011}}

The concept of man as elaborated by Nanak, states Mandair (2009), refines and negates the "[[Philosophy:Monotheism|monotheistic]] concept of self/God," where "monotheism becomes almost redundant in the movement and crossings of love."{{sfn|Mandair|2009|pp=372–73}} The goal of man, taught the Sikh Gurus, is to end all dualities of "self and other, I and not-I," attaining the "attendant balance of separation-fusion, self-other, action-inaction, attachment-detachment, in the course of daily life."{{sfn|Mandair|2009|pp=372–73}}

Nanak, and other Sikh Gurus emphasised ''[[Philosophy:Bhakti|bhakti]]'' ('love', 'devotion', or 'worship'), and taught that the spiritual life and secular householder life are intertwined.{{sfn|Nayar|Sandhu|2007|p=106}} In the Sikh perspective, the everyday world is part of an infinite reality, where increased spiritual awareness leads to increased and vibrant participation in the everyday world.{{sfn|Kaur|2004|p=530}} Nanak described living an "active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness, fidelity, self-control and purity" as being higher than the [[Philosophy:Metaphysics|metaphysical]] truth.{{sfn|Marwha|2006|p=205}}

Through popular tradition, Nanak's teaching is understood to be practised in three ways:{{sfn|McLeod|2009|pp=139–40}}

* ''[[Religion:Vand Chhako|Vand Shhako]]'' ({{Lang-pa|ਵੰਡ ਛਕੋ|lit=share & consume|label=none}}): Share with others, help those who are in need, so you may eat together;
* ''[[Religion:Kirat Karo|Kirat Karo]]'' ('work honestly'): Earn an honest living, without exploitation or fraud; and
* ''[[Unsolved:Naam Japo|Naam Japo]]'' ({{Lang-pa|ਨਾਮ ਜਪੋ|lit=recite His name|label=none}}): Meditate on God's name, so to feel His presence and control the [[Religion:Five Thieves|five thieves]] of the human personality.

=== Legacy ===
Nanak is the founder of [[Religion:Sikhism|Sikhism]].{{sfn|Cole|Sambhi|1978|pp=[https://archive.org/details/sikhs00cole/age/9 9–10]}}{{sfn|Moreno|Colino|2010|p=207}} The fundamental beliefs of Sikhism, articulated in the sacred scripture [[Biography:Guru Granth Sahib|Guru Granth Sahib]], include faith and meditation on the name of the one creator; unity of all humankind; engaging in [[Religion:Selfless service|selfless service]], striving for social justice for the benefit and prosperity of all; and honest conduct and livelihood while living a householder's life.{{sfn|Kalsi|2007|pp=41–50}}{{sfn|Cole|Sambhi|1995|p=200}}{{sfn|Teece|2004|p=4}}

The Guru Granth Sahib is worshipped as the supreme authority of Sikhism and is considered the final and perpetual guru of Sikhism. As the first guru of Sikhism, Nanak contributed a total of 974 hymns to the book.{{sfn|Shackle|Mandair|2013|pp=xviii–xix}}

== Influences ==
[[File:Miniature painting of Guru Nanak listening to musicians, circa 1680.jpg|thumb|Miniature painting of Guru Nanak listening to musicians, circa 1680]]
Many Sikhs believe that Nanak's message was divinely revealed, as his own words in [[Biography:Guru Granth Sahib|Guru Granth Sahib]] state that his teachings are as he has received them from the Creator Himself. The critical event of his life in Sultanpur, in which he returned after three days with enlightenment, also supports this belief.{{sfn|Singh|1982|pp=12, 18}}{{failed verification|date=July 2020}}

Many modern historians give weight to his teachings' linkage with the pre-existing ''[[Philosophy:Bhakti|bhakti]]'',{{sfn|Lorenzen|1995|pp=1–2}} [[Religion:Sant|''sant'']],{{efn-lr|"In its earliest stage Sikhism was clearly a movement within the Hindu tradition; Nanak was raised a Hindu and eventually belonged to the Sant tradition of northern India." {{harv|McLeod|2019}}}} and ''[[Religion:Wali|wali]]'' of Hindu/Islamic tradition.{{sfn|Fenech|2014}} Scholars state that in its origins, Nanak and Sikhism were influenced by the ''nirguni'' ('formless God') tradition of the Bhakti movement in medieval India.{{efn-lr|name=David Lorenzen 1995 pages 1–2|"Historically, Sikh religion derives from this nirguni current of bhakti religion." {{harv|Lorenzen|1995|pp=1–2}}}} However, some historians do not see evidence of Sikhism as simply an extension of the Bhakti movement.{{sfn|Singha|2009b|p=8}}{{sfn|Grewal|1998|pp=28–}} Sikhism, for instance, disagreed with some views of Bhakti saints [[Biography:Kabir|Kabir]] and [[Biography:Ravidas|Ravidas]].{{sfn|Singha|2009b|p=8}}{{sfn|Pruthi|2004|pp=202–03}}

The roots of the Sikh tradition are perhaps in the [[Religion:Sant|sant]]-tradition of India whose ideology grew to become the Bhakti tradition.{{efn-lr|name=Louis Fenech 2014 page 35|"Technically this would place the Sikh community's origins at a much further remove than 1469, perhaps to the dawning of the Sant movement, which possesses clear affinities to Guru Nanak's thought sometime in the tenth century. The predominant ideology of the Sant ''[[Religion:Guru–shishya tradition|parampara]]'' in turn corresponds in many respects to the much wider devotional Bhakti tradition in northern India." {{harv|Fenech|2014|p=35}}}} Fenech (2014) suggests that:{{sfn|Fenech|2014}} <blockquote>Indic mythology permeates the Sikh sacred canon, the ''Guru Granth Sahib'' and the secondary canon, the ''[[Religion:Dasam Granth|Dasam Granth]]'' and adds delicate nuance and substance to the sacred symbolic universe of the Sikhs of today and of their past ancestors.{{efn-lr|"Few Sikhs would mention these Indic texts and ideologies in the same breadth as the Sikh tradition, let alone trace elements of their tradition to this chronological and ideological point, '''despite the fact''' that the Indic mythology permeates the Sikh sacred canon, the ''Guru Granth Sahib'' and the secondary canon, the ''Dasam Granth'',<ref>Rinehart 2011</ref> and adds delicate nuance and substance to the sacred symbolic universe of the Sikhs of today and of their past ancestors." {{harv|Fenech|2014|p=36}}}}
</blockquote>

==In the Bahá'í Faith==
In a letter, dated 27 October 1985, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, the Universal House of Justice stated that Nanak was endowed with a "saintly character" and that he was:{{sfn|Sarwal|1996}} <blockquote>...inspired to reconcile the religions of Hinduism and Islám, the followers of which religions had been in violent conflict.... The Bahá'ís thus view Guru Nanak as a 'saint of the highest order'.</blockquote>

==In Hinduism==
[[File:Mural of Guru Nanak from Sui Simbli temple in Jammu.jpg|thumb|Mural of Guru Nanak from a Hindu temple in Jammu]]
Nanak is highly influential amongst Punjabi Hindus and Sindhi Hindus, the majority of whom follow Nanakpanthi teachings. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2018/04/13/nanakpanthi-saints-of-sindh/|title=Nanakpanthi Saints of Sindh|first=Zulfiqar Ali|last=Kalhoro|date=13 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/41323099|title=Inderjeet Singh (2017). Sindhi Hindus & Nanakpanthis in Pakistan. Abstracts of Sikh Studies, Vol. XIX, No.4. p35-43|first=Inderjeet|last=Singh|date=1 October 2017|journal=Abstracts of Sikh Studies|via=www.academia.edu}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
* A Punjabi movie was released in 2015 named ''Nanak Shah Fakir'', which is based on the life of Nanak, directed by Sartaj Singh Pannu{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* ''Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels'' is a 2021–22 docuseries about Nanak's travels in nine different countries{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

==Places visited==

===Uttarakhand===
* Gurudwara Reetha Sahib, Champawat, Uttrakhand
* Nanakmatta

===Andhra Pradesh===
* Gurudwara Pehli Patshahi Guntur, Andhra Pradesh

===Bihar===
* Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Sheetal Kund – Rajgir
* Patna

===Delhi===
* Gurdwara Nanak Piao, [[Place:Delhi|Delhi]]
* Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tila, [[Place:Delhi|Delhi]]<ref>{{cite news |title=A Gurdwara steeped in history |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/A-Gurdwara-steeped-in-history/articleshow/10552745.cms |work=The Times of India |date=25 Mar 2012}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=May 2023}}

===Gujarat===
* Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi, Lakhpat, Gujarat

===Haryana===
* Panipat

===Jammu and Kashmir===
* Hari Parbat, [[Place:Srinagar|Srinagar]]

===Punjab===
* Gurudwara Shri Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi
* Gurudwara Shri Hatt Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi
* Gurudwara Shri Kothri Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi
* Gurudwara Shri Guru Ka Bagh, Sultanpur Lodhi
* Gurudwara Shri Sant Ghat, Sultanpur Lodhi
* Gurudwara Shri Antaryamta, Sultanpur Lodhi
* Dera Baba Nanak
* Gurudwara Manji Sahib, Kiratpur Sahib
* Achal Batala<ref>{{cite book |date=1993 |title=The Sikh Review, Volume 41, Issues 469–480 |publisher=Sikh Cultural Centre |page=14 }}</ref>

===Sikkim===
* Gurudwara Nanak Lama, Chungthang, Sikkim
* Gurudongmar Lake

===Odisha===
* Gurdwara Guru Nanak Datan Sahib, Cuttack, Odisha
* Gurdwara Bauli Math Sahib, [[Place:Puri|Puri, Odisha]]

===Pakistan===
* Nankana Sahib
* Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Kartarpur
* Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad
* Sultanpur Lodhi
* Gurdwara Rori Sahib, Gujranwala
* Gurdwara Beri Sahib, Sialkot
* Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal
* Gurudwara Chowa Sahib, Rohtas Fort
* Narowal

===Bangladesh===
* Gurdwara Nanak Shahi, [[Place:Dhaka|Dhaka]]

===Afghanistan===
* Gurduara Baba Nanak Dev Ji, [[Place:Jalalabad|Jalalabad]]
* Chashma Sahib Patshahi Pahili, [[Place:Jalalabad|Jalalabad]]

===Iran===
* Gurudwara Pehli Patshahi, [[Place:Mashhad|Mashhad]]

===Iraq===
* Baba Nanak Shrine, [[Place:Baghdad|Baghdad]]

===Sri Lanka===
* Gurudwara Pehli Patshahi Batticaloa
* Koti, now known as Kotikawatta

===Saudi Arabia===
[[File:Janamsakhi manuscript painting with the caption "Guru Nanak in Mecca - 'Turn my feet in the direction where God is not.' ".jpg|thumb|Janamsakhi manuscript painting with the caption "Guru Nanak in Mecca - 'Turn my feet in the direction where God is not.' "]]
* [[Place:Mecca|Mecca]]
* [[Place:Medina|Medina]]

== See also ==
* Fatehabad, Punjab
* List of places named after Guru Nanak Dev
* Bebe Nanaki

== Notes ==
{{notelist-lr}}
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|22em}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin|30em}}
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 | last = McLeod | first = W. H. | year = 2009
 | publisher = Scarecrow Press
 | isbn = 978-0-8108-6828-1
}}
*{{Cite book| chapter = Sikhism
 | last = McLeod | first = William Hewat | year = 2019
 | orig-year = First published 1998
 | title = Encyclopædia Britannica
 | url = https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism
}}
*{{Cite journal | title = The "Gurū Nānak" Inscription at Baghdad
 | last = Ménage | first = V. L.
 | journal = Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
 | location = Cambridge
 | year = 1979 | volume = 111 | number = 1 | pages = 16–21
 | doi = 10.1017/S0035869X00134999 | jstor = 25210997
| s2cid = 163324791 }}
*{{cite book| title = Diversity and Unity in Federal Countries
 | last1 = Moreno | first1 = Luis
 | last2 = Colino | first2 = César
 | year = 2010
 | publisher = McGill Queen University Press
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=N5lpveRnSxEC&pg=PA207
 | page = 207
 | isbn = 978-0-7735-9087-8
}}
*{{cite book| title = The Socially Involved Renunciate – Guru Nanaks Discourse to Nath Yogi's
 | last1 = Nayar | first1 = Kamal Elizabeth
 | last2 = Sandhu | first2 = Jaswinder Singh
 | year = 2007
 | publisher = State University of New York Press | location = New York
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=WTfKwGV6mBkC
 | page = 106
 | isbn = 978-0-7914-7950-6
}}
*{{cite book| title = The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition
 | last = Oberoi | first = Harjot | year = 1994
 | publisher = University of Chicago Press
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dKl84EYFkTsC
 | page = 55
 | isbn = 978-0-226-61593-6
}}
*{{cite book| title = Knowing Guru Nanak
 | last = Prasoon | first = Shrikant | year = 2007
 | publisher = Pustak Mahal
 | isbn = 978-81-223-0980-5
}}
*{{cite book| title = Sikhism and Indian Civilization
 | last = Pruthi | first = R. K. | year = 2004
 | publisher = Discovery Publishing House | location = New Delhi
 | pages = 202–03
 | isbn = 978-81-7141-879-4
}}
*{{Cite book| chapter = Guru Nanak and Miracles
 | last = Sarwal | first = Anil | year = 1996
 | title = Miracles in Religion: A Study of the miraculous in religion in context of the Bahá'í Faith
 | publisher = Royale Publishers | location = Lucknow
 | url = http://bahai-library.com/books/miracles/index.html
}}
*{{cite book| title = Teachings of the Sikh Gurus: Selections from the Sikh Scriptures
 | last1 = Shackle | first1 = Christopher
 | last2 = Mandair | first2 = Arvind
 | year = 2013
 | publisher = Routledge
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ftdcvmviy_8C
 | pages = xviii–xix
 | isbn = 978-1-136-45108-9
}}
*{{cite book| title = Civil Rights in Wartime: The Post-9/11 Sikh Experience
 | last = Sidhu | first = Dawinder | year = 2009
 | publisher = Ashgate Publishing
 | page = 26
 | isbn = 978-1-4094-9691-5
}}
*{{cite web| title = Sikhism: Guru Nanak
 | publisher = BBC
 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/nanak.shtml
 | date = 7 October 2011
 | ref = {{harvid|BBC: Religions|2011}}
}}
*{{cite book| title = The Encyclopedia of Sikhism
 | last = Singh | first = H. S.
 | publisher = Hemkunt Press
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gqIbJz7vMn0C&q=gurdwara+kartarpur+nanak&pg=PA122
 | date = 2000
 | isbn = 978-81-7010-301-1
}}
*{{Cite book| title = Berkeley Lectures on Sikhism
 | last = Singh | first = Harbans | year = 1982
 | publisher = [[Organization:University of California|University of California]] | location = Berkeley
 | pages = 12, 18
 | isbn = 978-817304067-2
}}
*{{cite book| title = Life Story Of Nanak
 | last = Singh | first = Kartar | year = 1984
 | publisher = Hemkunt Press | location = New Delhi
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nhKMUnfLZLEC
 | page = 18
 | isbn = 978-81-7010-162-8
}}
*{{cite book| title = The Illustrated History of the Sikhs
 | last = Singh | first = Khushwant | year = 2006
 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = India
 | pages = 12–13
 | isbn = 0-19-567747-1
}}
*{{cite book| title = Janamsakhi tradition: an analytical study
 | last1 = Singh | first1 = Kirapala
 | last2 = Kapur | first2 = Prithipala
 | publisher = Singh Brothers
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VKXXAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Choha+Baba+Nanak%22
 | date = 2004 | page = 174
| isbn = 9788172053116 }}
*{{Cite book| title = Sikhism: An Introduction
 | last = Singh | first = Nikky-Guninder Kaur | year = 2011
 | publisher = I. B. Tauris
 | pages = 2–8
 | isbn = 978-184885321-8
}}
*{{Cite book| title = The Encyclopedia of Sikhism
 | last = Singha | first = H. S. | year = 2009a
 | orig-year = First published 2000
 | publisher = Hemkunt Publishers | location = New Delhi
 | page = 104
 | isbn = 978-81-7010-301-1
}}
*{{cite book| title = Sikhism: A Complete Introduction
 | last = Singha | first = H. S.
 | publisher = Hemkunt Press | location = New Delhi
 | url = http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/welcome.jsp?action=search&type=isbn&term=8170102456
 | date = 2009b | page = 8
 | isbn = 978-81-7010-245-8
}}
*{{cite book| title = Sikhism: Religion in Focus
 | last = Teece | first = Geoff | year = 2004
 | publisher = Black Rabbit Books
 | page = 4
 | isbn = 978-1-58340-469-0
}}
*{{Cite book| title = Adi Granth, or The Holy Scriptures Of The Sikhs; translated from the original Gurmukhī
 | last = Trumpp | first = Ernest | year = 1877
 | publisher = W. H. Allen & Co. and N. Trübner | location = London
 | via = [[Internet Archive]]
}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* Singh, Sahib. ''Guru Nanak Dev and His Teachings''.
* {{Cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Shamsher|title=Life of Guru Nanak Through Pictures|last2=Virdi|first2=Narendra Singh|publisher=Modern Sahit Academy|others=Phulan Rani|year=1969}}

== External links ==

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
 | before = —
 | title = [[Biography:Sikh gurus|Sikh Guru]]
 | years = 20 August 1507&nbsp;– 7 September 1539
 | after = [[Biography:Guru Angad|Guru Angad]]
}}
{{s-end}}
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{{Indian philosophy}}
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[[Category:Founders of religions]]
[[Category:Sikh gurus|Nanak]]

{{Sourceattribution|Guru Nanak|1}}