Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was born in a Hindu family in Punjab near Lahore.
He is the founder of Sikhism. It is said that he had mystical experience during meditation. He was in deep meditation in Sultanpur at the bank of the river Bein. God called upon him to preach his true name (Satnam)

Guru Nanak taught that 3 things were very important either for Hindus and Muslims. The three things are: meditation, honest work and to give alms. The caste system was rejected by Guru Nanak.

After Guru Nanak the teachings were past to 9 succeeders of Guru Nanak. The last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh 91675-1708), explained that their holy book (Guru Granth) and the Sikhism had to been as a guide.

In 1699 guru Gobing Singh founded the Khalsa. This is a group of inaugurated Sikhs. The khalsa gave the Sikhs an identity which was based on their appearance. From that moment on Sikhism was not connected anymore to Hinduism.

After someone is inaugurated in the Khalsa, the person will show his dedication by wearing the five K’s:

• Kesh :
  not cut hair and beard.
• Kangha :
  a comb to keep the hair clean.
• Kara :
  an iron bracelet.
• Kaccha :
  a special shorts.
• Kirpan :
  a dagger or sword.

Sikhs believe in the eternal circle of life and death and that God can free you from this circle. But the Sikhs are more down to earth oriented.