21 Facts About Guru Angad

Guru Angad is remembered in Sikhism for adopting and formalising the Gurmukhi alphabet.

Guru Angad began the process of compiling the hymns of Guru Nanak and contributed 62 or 63 Saloks of his own.

Guru Angad was born with birth name of Lehna in village Matte-di-Sarai in the District Sri Muktsar Sahib of Punjab region.

Guru Angad was the son of a small but successful trader named Pheru Mal.

Bhai Lehna in his late 20s sought out Guru Angad Nanak, became his disciple, and displayed deep and loyal service to his Guru Angad for about six to seven years in Kartarpur and renounced the Hindu way of life.

One of these stories is about a jug which fell into mud, and Guru Angad Nanak asked his sons to pick it up.

Guru Angad later left Kartarpur for the village of Khadur Sahib.

Guru Angad focused on the teachings of Nanak, and building the community through charitable works such as langar.

On his return, he heard Bibi Amro, the daughter of the Guru Angad who had married his brother's son, singing a hymn by Guru Nanak.

Sikh tradition states that he woke up in the early hours to fetch water for Guru Angad's bath, cleaned and cooked for the volunteers with the Guru, as well devoted much time to meditation and prayers in the morning and evening.

Guru Angad is credited in the Sikh tradition with the Gurmukhi script, which is the standard writing script for Punjabi language in India, in contrast to Punjabi language in Pakistan where now a Perso-Arabic script called Shahmukhi is the standard.

Guru Angad wrote 62 or 63 Saloks, which together constitute about one percent of the Guru Granth Sahib, the primary scripture of Sikhism.

Guru Angad is notable for systematising the institution of langar in all Sikh temple premises, where visitors from near and far could get a free simple meal in a communal seating.

Guru Angad set the rules and training method for volunteers who operated the kitchen, placing emphasis on treating it as a place of rest and refuge, being always polite and hospitable to all visitors.

Guru Angad visited other places and centres established by Guru Nanak for the preaching of Sikhism.

Guru Angad established new centres and thus strengthened its base.

The Guru Angad, being a great patron of wrestling, started a Mall Akhara system where physical exercises, martial arts, and wrestling was taught as well as health topics such as staying away from tobacco and other toxic substances.

Guru Angad placed emphasis on keeping the body healthy and exercising daily.

Guru Angad founded many such Mall Akharas in many villages including a few in Khandur.

Guru Angad taking-leave of Guru Nanak, painting from an 1830's Janamsakhi.

Guru Angad Seated on a Terrace Beneath a Canopy With an Attendant, Punjab Plains, circa 1830.