Sikh Panth (Community)

Timeline

1. 1499–1539Punjab plains · PunjabGuru Nanak traveled preaching, attracting followers with kirtan (holy hymns) and langar, forming cross-caste sangat gatherings; the Panth had no fixed parish structure yet, sustained by oral transmission and teacher-disciple succession.
2. 1561–1570Goindval and the manjis of Punjab · Punjab stateThe third Guru, Amar Das, built stepwells and religious centers at Goindval, appointed twenty-two manji heads to oversee parishes, collect offerings, and promote langar; the Panth transformed from a spiritual movement into a hierarchical religious community with revenue sources, attracting peasants and merchants from Mughal frontier regions.
3. 1574–1581Amritsar · Punjab stateThe fourth Guru, Ram Das, excavated a sacred pool beside the 'Pool of Nectar' and laid the foundation of the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), giving the Panth a fixed sacred site and pilgrimage center, further concentrating the Punjab Panth network toward Amritsar.