Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Origins of Sikhi

A distinct faith

A distinct faith

  • Sikhi began in the Punjab region of South Asia in the late 15th century.
  • It was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469.
  • Guru Nanak taught that there is one God who is loving, eternal, and present in everyone.
    • He rejected unfair divisions between people and taught the importance of equality and selfless service.
  • Guru Nanak said that “there is no Hindu and there is no Muslim. We are all children of God.”
A religiously diverse region

A religiously diverse region

  • The Punjab region in the 1400s was diverse. Hindu and Muslim communities lived side by side.
  • Guru Nanak was influenced by the spiritual devotion (bhakti) of Hindus and by the faith in one God (tawhid) of Muslims.
    • But he created a new and distinct faith. He wished to bring people together, rather than dividing them.
The teachings of Guru Nanak

The teachings of Guru Nanak

  • Guru Nanak taught that people should live a life of truth, kindness, and devotion to God.
  • He believed that God is without form or gender. God can be reached through meditation, prayer, and good actions.
  • Guru Nanak encouraged:
    • Naam Simran (remembering God’s name) as a way to stay close to the divine.
    • Sewa (selfless service) as a way to help others without wanting a reward.
  • His followers became known as Sikhs, meaning “disciples” or “learners.”
Jump to other topics
1

Year 7

1.1

Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.2

Judaism

1.3

Christianity

1.4

Disciplinary Knowledge

2

Year 8

2.1

Islam

2.2

Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.3

Buddhism

2.4

Sikhi

2.5

Atheism

2.6

Philosophy of Religion

2.7

Disciplinary Knowledge

3

Year 9

3.1

Life & Death

3.2

Extremism

3.3

Equality

4

Additional Concepts

Practice questions on Origins of Sikhi

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Where did Sikhi begin?Multiple choice
  2. 2
  3. 3
Answer all questions on Origins of Sikhi

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium