Guru Ram Das

Timeline

1. 1534–1574Goindval · GoindvalOf the Sodhi family, orphaned young, he later went to Goindval to serve the third Guru Amar Das through labor in the communal kitchen, and married his daughter Bibi Bhani. He once answered on his father-in-law's behalf criticisms of the free kitchen. Before Amar Das died in 1574 he designated him fourth Guru, passing over his father-in-law's sons.
2. 1574–1581Ramdaspur (Amritsar) · AmritsarTo avoid the hostility of Amar Das's sons, he moved the community's center to Guru Ka Chak, dug the Amrit Sarovar (sacred pool), attracted merchants and craftsmen, and formed Ramdaspur — later Amritsar. He perfected the masand circuit for fundraising and preaching, and composed many hymns including the four-stanza Lav. The main body of the Golden Temple was completed by his son Arjan.
3. 1580–1581Goindval · GoindvalOf his three sons only the youngest Arjan obeyed his father's wishes and showed religious literary talent, so he broke the precedent of the first three generations — passing the Guruship to a worthy rather than a son — and designated Arjan fifth Guru. He himself returned to Goindval and died there. Thereafter the Guruship passed within his family, a different branch from the founder Nanak's direct household.