Art, literature & culture

Construction of Harmandir Sahib

1589

Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, is the holiest gurdwara of the Sikh religion, located in Amritsar in Punjab, India. Its construction began in the late 1580s under Guru Ram Das and the fifth guru, Guru Arjan, who designed it with doors on all four sides to show that it was open to people of every faith and background. The sacred text, the Adi Granth, was installed there in 1604. The temple stands in the middle of a pool called the Amrit Sarovar and is reached by a causeway. In the early 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered the upper floors with gold leaf. Visitors from all communities share a free communal meal in its kitchen, the langar.

Open on the timeline

Before and after

More in Art, literature & culture

The era

This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 16th century.