(1)Sikhism, a smaller sect of the Hindu and Islam religion, was founded by the son of common Hindu parents (2)Guru Nanak around (3)1499 CE. Nanak was born of the Khati caste in 1469. He married at the age of nineteen and fathered two children. He later moved to a city named Sultanpar to work as an accountant. After having a vision of God after meditating; saying that he had been chosen as a prophet of the True Religion. He shortly after gave away his belongings to the poor and began traveling through India preaching the unity of Islam and the Hindu people.(4) Early influences on Sikhism were gurus Angad Dev who was Nanaks' named successor, Amar Das, Ram Das all followed Nanaks teachings, Arjan Des turned Sikhism from pacifism to a militant stance, Har Gobind, Har Rai, Har Krishan, Tegh Bahadur, and Gobind Singh. (5)Nanak accepted and rejected different parts of the Hindu and Islamic faith, He taught (A) Monotheism, referring to God as "The True Name"(b) He also rejected ahisma, allowing his following to kill and eat animals. His teachings included:(c) work hard but share your wealth with others, (d)be honest in all you do,(e) women are equal to men in Gods eyes,(f) refrain from participating in superstitious practices and rituals, (g)dressing modestly as revealing clothes reflect poorly on those who wear them,(h) control the Five evils-- Lust, Rage, Greed, Attachment and Ego(I) Practice the Five virtues--Truth, Compassion, Contentment, Discipline and Contemplation(J) Follow only the Guru Granth; not in any other book or person.(K) All people are equal- the use of a caste system should be avoided.(6) Sikhs believe in Reincarnation, But salvation is not going to a Paradise after the last judgement but to be absorbed in Nirvana--ending the individuality of the soul (8)Sikhism has a following of 25 million people;(9) practiced most in northwest India.(10) There are several unofficial symbols of Sikhism, but the most common one is the(a) Kha