Question

Who was the fourth Sikh guru?
A. Guru Arjan Dev Ji
B. Guru Ram Das Ji
C. Guru Amardas Ji
D. Guru Hargobind Ji

Answer 1

Hint: He was born on September 24, 1534 in Lahore. He accepted Amardas Ji as his mentor at age 12. His name means ‘servant of God’.

Complete answer: -Guru Arjan Dev Ji; he was the $5^{th}$ Nanak at age 18 (1563-1606) and was executed by Jahangir on his refusal to convert to Islam. He compiled the Adi Granth (which contained both Hindu and Muslim compositions) and was one of the two Gurus who were martyred. This is an incorrect option.
-Guru Amardas Ji; he was the $3^{rd}$ Nanak (1479-1574) who established guidelines for key cultural practices like naming children, marriages, funerals and celebration of festivals. He chose his son-in-law as the next Nanak, Ramdas. This is the wrong option.
-Guru Hargobind Ji; he was the $6^{th}$ Nanak (1595-1644). His primary contribution was militarization, by introducing the practice of wearing two swords which symbolized ‘Miri and Piri’ which means temporal power and spiritual authority. Another significant addition was the concept of ‘Akal Takht’ which means the throne of the timeless one. This option is not right.
Therefore, option b is correct.

Note: After he appointed his own son as his successor is when the streak of the last 5 of the gurus being direct heirs began. He moved and established Ramdaspur which went on to become the holiest town in their religion, Amritsar. It houses the Golden Temple.