Guru Nanak's Teachings and the Founding of Sikhism (1501–1510)

Timeline

1. 1501–1504Sultanpur · PunjabGuru Nanak gave up his secular post in places like Sultanpur, preaching the doctrine of 'Ik Onkar' (One God) through poetry and song, opposing caste discrimination and empty ritual, and emphasizing honest work (kirat karo) and sharing (vand chhako). Early followers were called 'Sikh' (disciples), forming a distinct religious identity separate from Hinduism and Islam.
2. 1507–1508South Asian subcontinent (Punjab–North India travel route) · Indian subcontinentNanak undertook his first long religious journey, debating with Brahmins and Sufi scholars in Lahore, Hazara, Benares, and elsewhere, preaching interfaith equality and inner devotion. The journey widened the spread of his teachings and gathered sacred verse material from various places, later incorporated into the documentary tradition preceding the Sikh scripture.
3. 1509–1510Kartarpur · PunjabNanak established the Kartarpur settlement along the Ravi River, practicing communal labor and a communal kitchen (langar) to embody the principle of equal shared meals. It became Sikhism's first stable community center, marking the shift from personal preaching to institutionalized religious communal life.