Baba Buddha
Baba Buddha was a prime figure in early Sikhism. He was born in 1506 in the village of Kathu Nangal, in Amritsar. As a child, while grazing cattle outside his village, he met Guru Nanak. He asked Guru Nanak many questions regarding life and death, such that, at his young age, Guru Nanak blessed him with name Buddha, as he spoke as if he were a wise elder. He was one of the earliest Sikhs of Guru Nanak. He performed the formal coronation ceremonies of five Sikh gurus; Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, and Guru Hargobind.
On installation of the Adi Granth, a compilation of Sikh scripture, at Sri Harimandir Sahib on August 16th, 1604, Bhai Buddha was appointed the first Granthi by Guru Arjan.
On May 30th, 1606 after the martyrdom of Guru Arjun, Guru Hargobind ordered the construction of the Akal Takht and entrusted the responsibility of its construction to Baba Buddha and Bhai Gurdas.
After a lifetime of following the Sikh Gurus, Baba Buddha died at the age of 124 years in 1631 at the village of Jhanda Ramdas, on the banks of the Ravi River. Guru Hargobind was at his bedside and honoured him by carrying him to his funeral pyre and reciting passages from the Adi Granth.
