Preface Of The Book 'Guru Nanak In Western Scholarship' By J. S. Grewal

This essay is based on three lectures given at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study on the treatment of Guru Nanak in the works of Western writers. The broad context for this essay is obviously the emergence of modem historical writing, particularly in relation to 'orientalism' and Indian studies. This context is not explicitly postulated in the essay, but it obtrudes here and there as the analysis develops. The basic point that appears to emerge from this analysis is the assumption of a close connection between cognition and praxis in the writings of Western scholars on the Sikhs. This was the common ground for the administrator the missionary and the 'orientalist'. Academic or scientific study of Sikh history and Sikh tradition has arisen not as an alternative to but as a culmination of the earlier motivating interests.

It may be added that this common ground is by now shared by the Indian and the Western scholar alike. Differences of interpretation are still there, but they arise not so much from differences in national perspective as from differences of class, conceptualization, talent and training. The validity of 'new knowledge' is at stake because of its social implications, raising the all important issue of its intended and unintended consequences for different people and classes.

I am thankful to the Fellows who responded to the lectures with valuable comments and suggestions. Mr S.K. Goel and Mr T.K. Majumdar have been extremely helpful in preparing and finalizing the typescript, and Mr N .K. Maini has seen it through the press. I am thankful to them.

                                                                                               J.S.GREWAL 

March 1, 1992, 

Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla.