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Sikh history, fully sourced. Open to all

Sikh history, fully sourced. Open to all

  • Home
  • History
    • Era 1 — The Guru Period
    • Era 2 — Sovereignty & Banda Singh
    • Era 3 — The Misl Period
    • Era 4 — The Sikh Empire
    • Era 5 — The Singh Sabha Reform
    • Era 6 — The Modern Era
  • About the Faith
    • Foundations & Philosophy
    • Guru Granth Sahib
    • Festivals & Gurpurabs
    • Ceremonies & Rites of Passage
    • Rehat Maryada
    • Women in Sikhism
  • Culture & Heritage
  • People
  • Global Map
  • Books to Read
  • Library
  • FAQ
  • Contribute
  • Home
  • History
    • Era 1 — The Guru Period
    • Era 2 — Sovereignty & Banda Singh
    • Era 3 — The Misl Period
    • Era 4 — The Sikh Empire
    • Era 5 — The Singh Sabha Reform
    • Era 6 — The Modern Era
  • About the Faith
    • Foundations & Philosophy
    • Guru Granth Sahib
    • Festivals & Gurpurabs
    • Ceremonies & Rites of Passage
    • Rehat Maryada
    • Women in Sikhism
  • Culture & Heritage
  • People
  • Global Map
  • Books to Read
  • Library
  • FAQ
  • Contribute

History

Sikh history, fully sourced. Open to all

Mission Sikhism

Over 550 years, Sikh history moves through six distinct eras — from a single teacher's declaration of oneness in 1469, through sovereignty won and lost, to a global community navigating the present day. Each era below stands on its own, but together they tell one continuous story. Start wherever your interest lies, or read them in order for the full arc.

1469–1708

Era 1: The Guru Period

Ten Gurus, the founding of the Khalsa, and the declaration of eternal Guruship.

1708–1748

Era 2: Sovereignty & Banda Singh

The first sovereign Sikh state, its fall, and the regrouping that followed.

1748–1799

Era 3: The Misl Period

Twelve confederacies, decades of resistance, and the rise of a unifying leader.

1799–1849

Era 4: The Sikh Empire

Maharaja Ranjit Singh's secular kingdom, and its fall to British annexation.

1873–1925

Era 5: The Singh Sabha Reform

Rebuilding Sikh identity and institutions under British colonial rule.

1947–Present

Era 6: The Modern Era

Partition, 1984, and a global diaspora contributing across every field.

☬ Dedicated to Waheguru — the Wondrous Teacher · ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ

Offered freely, without paywalls, in the spirit of Sarbat da Bhala — the welfare of all.

Non-profit · Academic · Free to use for education · © Mission Sikhism 2026 — All Rights Reserved to Waheguru Ji