What Were the Impacts of the Creation of the Golden Temple for Sikhs?

What were the impacts of the creation of the Golden Temple for Sikhs?

Shahbaz Randhawa

Utica Academy for International Studies

dpd974

004001-063

May 2012

Word Count: 1685

Table of Contents

Section A: Plan of Investigation........................................................Pg. 3

Section B: Summary of Evidence......................................................Pg. 4

* The Golden Temple....................................................Pg. 4

* Significance of the Golden Temple..................................Pg. 5

* The Heritage of Darbar Sahib.........................................Pg. 6

* Golden Temple Amritsar..............................................Pg. 7

Section C: Evaluation of Sources......................................................Pg. 8

* The Golden Temple....................................................Pg. 8

* Golden Temple Amritsar..............................................Pg. 9

Section D: Analysis......................................................................Pg. 10

Section E: Conclusion...................................................................Pg. 12

Section F: Bibliography..................................................................Pg. 13

Section A: Plan of Investigation

The Golden Temple also known as Harmandir Sahib was built in 1588 to 1601 in the city now called Amritsar. The construction of the temple was started by Guru Ramdas Ji but was completed by Arjan Dev Ji. During the time this temple was being built, invaders such as Afghan destroyed it. To determine what were the impacts of the creation of the Golden Temple for Sikhs, this investigation was examine the importance of the Golden Temple when it was built and after it was built and how it has impacted people such as Sikhs throughout the world.

Word Count: 106

Section B: Summary of Evidence

The Golden Temple

* Amritsar is the city where the Golden Temple is located.

* Guru Ram Das laid the foundation of the Golden Temple and Guru Arjan Dev finished it.

* The Golden Temple also known as the Hari Mandir was destroyed again and again by the Mughal rulers.

* The Sikhs rebuilt the Golden Temple every time showing bravery and heroism.

* Sikhs were drove out of the Golden Temple in middle of 18th century by a Mughal governor.

* Sikhs revolted against the Mughal governor and many Sikhs died because of this but they still did not give up.

* Sikhs got the Golden Temple back after gruesome battles.

* Golden Temple is a mixture of Hindu and Muslim arts.

* It began a new architecture style of India.

Significance of the Golden Temple

* Golden Temple is one of the most sacred places in India.

* It is known as the temple of God.

* Guru Ramdas founded it but Guru Arjan Dev completed it.

* The first edition of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the holiest book in Sikhism, was placed in the Golden Temple.

* Baisakhi is present in the Golden Temple: this is a celebration that makes a Sikh a "perfect" Sikh. This celebration is global.

* The holy tank of the Golden Temple is said to have therapeutic properties.

* People from any class are allowed to see the Golden Temple.

* It is a symbol of peace, magnificence, and strength.

* It is the main pilgrimage and spiritual center for all Sikhs throughout the world and also for other religions.

The Heritage of Darbar Sahib

* The Golden Gurdwara at Amritsar is the focal point of a faith by which the simplicity of its belief it's exalting moral principles and sustained heroism has won an honored place in the history of Punjab, India.

* Sikhism the youngest of world's religions derives its inspiration from a living spiritual and historical tradition. Religion is a vital impulse for Sikhs.

* The foundation of the Golden Gurdwara was laid at the request of the fifth Sikh Guru by one of his Muslim followers.

* The Guru built four doors, one on each side of the Golden Temple, to distinguish the holy building from the traditional India Temples with only one door.

* His goal was to emphasize that the Golden Temple is a place of worship that is open to all, irrespective of difference of caste or creed.

* After a long period of desperate and bold struggle against religious persecution, Sikhs succeeded.

Golden Temple Amritsar

* The Golden is located in Amritsar, Punjab and was built 1588-1601.

* It is the most revered and sacred shrine of the Sikhs.

* It is the icon of brilliance and power of the Sikh people throughout the World.

* When it was being built it was attacked numerous times by Afghan and other invaders.

* Sikhs gave their lives to liberate this holy shine and bring back