Kabir (1398-1518 C.E.): Kabir was brought up by a Muslim weaver couple Niru and Neema at Varnasi. Since his childhood, Kabir was inclined towards spiritual life, and he became a disciple of Ramananda. He preached equality and a religion of love aimed at promoting unity among all castes and creeds. He tried to develop a sense of unity and brotherhood between the Hindus and the Muslims. He quoted that there was no difference between Rama and Rahim, Krishna and Karim or the Puranas and the Quran. They are one and the same. God could be neither found in a Temple nor in a Mosque, but only in the heart of his devotees. He preached brotherhood, oneness of God, religion and true devotion to God.

Kabir condemned casteism, idol worship, supremacy of the Brahmins and Ulemas, baseless ceremonies, rituals, pilgrimage to holy places and practice of participating in formal prayers like Namaz. He preached that ‘Hindus and Muslims are pots made out of the same clay’. He said that Kabir was the child of Allah and Rama. True devotion and true love towards God alone can help people to proceed on the path which leads to Salvation. God could be attained only through Bhakti.

He was a spontaneous poet and his poems are in the form of ‘Dohas’. His dohas or couplets in Hindi became popular. His followers came to be known as Kabirpanthis. He was one of the enlightened socio-religious reformers in India.

Gurunanak (1469-1539 C.E.): Gurunanak was a great socioreligious reformer. He is the founder of the Sikh religion (Sikhism). He was influenced by the teachings of Kabir. He preached the brotherhood of Mankind. He was bom in 1469 at Talwandi (Banks of Ravi). His parents were Mehta Kaulchand and Tripta. Since his childhood, Nanak was inclined towards spiritual life and believed in a life of purity. He condemned caste system, idol worship, polytheism, sati, superstitions, useless rituals and costly ceremonies. He advised people to speak the truth. He tried to achieve Hindu – Muslim unity, religious tolerance and unity of God and paid respect to all religions. He believed in the theory of Karma.

He gave importance to Meditaition, Bhakti and repetition of God’s name (Sat Nam) as the means towards the salvation of the Soul from the chains of the flesh. God loved those who did hard work. He advised his followers to give up selfishness and falsehood.His disciples were called ‘Sikhs’. ‘Guru Granth Sahib or ‘Adi Granth’ is the holy book of Sikhs. Gurudhwara (at Amritsar) is the holy place of Sikhs. Gurunanak wanted to reorganize the Indian society on the principles of equality and aimed at the establishment of a caste less society