Our Story
The Sikh Community of St. Thomas began as families gathering in homes to pray, share langar, and keep the teachings of the Gurus alive far from Punjab. Today we are a growing community united by faith and service in southwestern Ontario.
Sikhi was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the 15th century and shaped by ten living Gurus and the eternal Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Its core is simple and profound: there is One Creator, all people are equal, and a truthful life is built on honest work, remembering the Divine, and sharing with those in need.
As we look ahead to establishing a Gurdwara Sahib of our own in St. Thomas, we welcome everyone — of every background — to worship, learn, and serve alongside us.
The Ten Gurus & the Eternal Guru
From 1469 to 1708, ten Gurus guided the Sikh faith. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji passed the eternal Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy scripture that remains our living Guru today.
1469–1539
Founder of Sikhi
Born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib), he founded Sikhi on the truth of Ik Onkar — One Creator whose light shines in all. Rejecting caste, empty ritual, and the divide between faiths, he travelled across South Asia and beyond on long journeys (udasis) with his companion Bhai Mardana. He gave three principles for daily life — Naam Japo, Kirat Karo, Vand Chhako (remember the Divine, earn honestly, share with others) — and began the practices of sangat and langar.
1504–1552
Giver of the Gurmukhi Script
Born Bhai Lehna, he was renamed Angad — 'a part of me' — by Guru Nanak for his devotion. He standardised and spread the Gurmukhi script, giving the Sikhs a written language of their own and preserving Guru Nanak's hymns. He expanded langar, encouraged education and physical fitness among the young, and led by the example of humble seva.
1479–1574
Champion of Equality
Becoming Guru at the age of 73, he made equality a lived practice: everyone — even Emperor Akbar — first sat together in the langar pangat and shared a meal before meeting him. He spoke against caste, sati, the veil, and female infanticide, and supported the remarriage of widows and the dignity of women. He organised the growing community through the Manji system and composed the Anand Sahib.
1534–1581
Founder of Amritsar
He founded the city that became Amritsar and began excavating its sacred pool, the Amrit Sarovar. He composed the Laavan, the four wedding hymns still recited at every Anand Karaj (Sikh marriage), and set up the structures that helped a scattered community stay connected.
1563–1606
Compiler of the Adi Granth · First Martyr
In 1604 he compiled the Adi Granth — the first authorised Sikh scripture — gathering the hymns of the Gurus alongside those of Hindu and Muslim saints such as Bhagat Kabir, Bhagat Ravidas, and Sheikh Farid, a striking testament to inclusiveness. He completed Sri Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) in Amritsar and installed the scripture within it. In 1606 he became the first Sikh Guru to be martyred, remaining serene in faith under persecution.
1595–1644
Miri-Piri · The Saint-Soldier
Responding to rising persecution, he embraced Miri-Piri — spiritual and worldly authority together — wearing two swords and building the Akal Takht, the seat of Sikh temporal power, facing the Harmandir Sahib. He trained the Sikhs to defend the innocent and uphold justice, balancing deep devotion with the courage to stand against oppression.
1630–1661
The Compassionate Healer
A gentle and compassionate Guru, he tended a renowned garden of healing herbs and ran a free clinic that cared for all who came. While he kept a large body of horsemen ready to protect the community, he avoided needless conflict and was devoted to preserving the sanctity of Gurbani and to kindness toward every living being.
1656–1664
The Child Guru
He became Guru at just five years old and is remembered for wisdom far beyond his years. When a smallpox epidemic struck Delhi, he served the sick without regard for his own safety and contracted the illness himself, passing away as a young child. Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi stands where he served the suffering.
1621–1675
Shield of Conscience — Hind di Chadar
A gifted poet whose hymns are enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, he founded the city of Anandpur Sahib. In 1675 he was executed in Delhi under Aurangzeb after defending the right of Kashmiri Pandits — people of another faith — to worship freely. Honoured as 'Hind di Chadar' (the Shield of India), he is a martyr for religious freedom and the rights of others.
1666–1708
Founder of the Khalsa
A poet, scholar, and warrior, in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib he founded the Khalsa, initiating the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones) and giving Sikhs a shared identity — the Five Ks and the names Singh and Kaur. He defended the faith through years of conflict and lost his four sons and his mother to it. In 1708 he ended the line of human Gurus, declaring Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji the eternal Guru for all time.
Eternal Guru since 1708
The Eternal, Living Guru
The everlasting Guru of the Sikhs — a scripture of 1,430 angs (pages) written in Gurmukhi. First compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji and completed with the hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, it holds the compositions of the Gurus together with those of many Hindu and Muslim saints, all pointing to devotion to the One and the equality of all humanity. Sikhs honour it with the reverence due to a living Guru.
Devotion & Sacrifice
Sikh history is rich with those whose courage and service inspire us. These are a few whose sacrifice shaped the faith. The community can add more stories over time.
The four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The elder two, Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, fell in battle at Chamkaur as teenagers; the younger two, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji (age 9) and Baba Fateh Singh Ji (age 6), were executed at Sirhind rather than renounce their faith — among the most revered martyrs in Sikh history.
A scholar and warrior who vowed to defend Sri Harmandir Sahib and is remembered for his unwavering devotion and sacrifice.
A young Sikh who endured martyrdom rather than cut his hair, a symbol of steadfast faith and identity.
A courageous woman who led Sikh soldiers into battle, honoured as a symbol of strength, faith, and equality.
.svg)