Guru Amar Das became the third Sikh Guru at the age of 73, on 26 March 1552.
Born in 1479, Amar Das encountered Sikh teachings later in life than the first two Gurus. He became a devoted follower of Guru Angad, the second Sikh Guru, and served him with exceptional dedication. His appointment illustrates that Sikh succession was based on spiritual merit and service rather than simply youth or family seniority.
During his guruship, Guru Amar Das strengthened the Sikh community’s organization and established the manji system for spreading Sikh teachings. He also promoted the institution of langar, in which people of different social backgrounds ate together. Tradition associates him with requiring visitors, including rulers, to eat in the communal kitchen before receiving an audience.
Guru Amar Das spoke against practices such as sati and purdah and encouraged Sikh congregational life through regular gatherings. He was succeeded by Guru Ram Das in 1574. Because Amar Das assumed the office unusually late, his age at succession is a frequent point of trivia—and the answer is 73, not 72, 74, or 75.