The history of the Golden Temple is intrinsically linked to the development of Sikhism itself. The site was originally a small lake in the midst of a forest, where Guru Nanak (the founder of Sikhism) meditated and discoursed. In 1581, Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, conceived the vision of building a central place of worship for Sikhs. Construction began in 1585 on land donated by the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
The foundation stone was laid by Sai Mian Mir, a Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, on December 28, 1588 — a powerful symbol of interfaith harmony. Guru Arjan Dev personally supervised the construction and installed the Adi Granth (the early compilation of Sikh scriptures) in the sanctum on August 16, 1604, appointing Baba Buddha as the first Granthi (priest). The temple faced repeated destruction and desecration by Afghan invaders — Ahmed Shah Abdali destroyed it twice in the 18th century.
Each time, the Sikhs rebuilt it with greater resilience. The temple's golden appearance dates to the early 19th century, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh ruler of the Punjab Empire, funded the covering of the upper two stories with 750 kilograms of pure gold leaf. He also renovated the sanctum and added the golden dome. The temple was shelled by the Indian Army during Operation Blue Star in June 1984, leading to extensive damage.
It was subsequently repaired and restored to its former glory. The complex was further expanded in the 1990s with the addition of the new central Sikh Museum and the Guru Ram Das Sarai (pilgrim accommodation). Today, the Golden Temple remains the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Sikhs and a symbol of Sikh resilience and spirituality.
