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Guru Ram Das
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Guru Ram Das The Golden Temple with its ornate gold exterior stands beside the white Clock Tower, both reflected in the surrounding pool in Amritsar, India. The 10 Sikh Gurus and Mardana, Guru Nanak's companion Guru Nanak Guru Angad Guru Amar Das Guru Arjan Guru Hargobind Guru Har Rai Guru Hari Krishen
Quick Facts
Also called:
Bhai Jetha
Born:
1534, Lahore, Punjab, India
Died:
1581, Goindwal (aged 47)
Founder:
Amritsar
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Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das

Guru Ram Das

Sikh Guru
Also known as: Bhai Jetha
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

Guru Ram Das (born 1534, Lahore, Punjab, India—died 1581, Goindwal) was the fourth Sikh Guru (1574–81) and founder of Amritsar, the center of Sikhism and the site of the Sikhs’ principal place of worship—the Golden Temple.

Golden Temple
Golden TempleThe Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib (right), in Amritsar, Punjab, India.

Guru Ram Das continued the missionary endeavor begun by his predecessor, Amar Das. On land given to him by the Mughal emperor Akbar, he built a holy tank, or pool, and then, wishing to build a community around it, he invited merchants and traders to settle there. The town was first named Ramdaspur and then Amritsar. Following the tradition of his saintly forerunners, Ram Das urged Akbar to punish graft among his officials and to endow charitable undertakings of all kinds. Guru Ram Das was noted for his humility, piety, and service to others. Shortly before his death, his son Arjan succeeded him as Guru.

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Tamanna Nangia.