Introduction To 'Insights Into Sikh Religion And History' By G.S.Dhillon

Sikhism which arose in the sixteenth century as a unique religious phenomenon left an indelible mark on the history of the Indian sub-continent. Its distinctive world-view, its concepts of God and social responsibility, its unique code of ethics and its tradition of sacrifice and suffering marked it out as an activistic faith. The Miri-Piri doctrine, visibly symbolised by the erection of the Akal Takht adjacent to the Harmandar by the sixth Guru Hargobind and articulated in the creation of the Khalsa-a nation of of Saint-Soldiers by the tenth Master accounted for the new social orientation and a change from a static to a dynamic condition.

For a proper understanding of the Sikh history, it is essential to study it in the tight of Sikh ideology and institutions handed down by Guru Nanak and his nine successors. The author discovers a profound link between the Sikh religion and Sikh history. He believes that the Sikh history, in all its varied phases, unfolds the genius of the Sikhs as a dyna­mic community. He looks upon the benign Sikh rule under Ranjit Singh as a product of the liberal Sikh ethos. He contends that the reassertion of the Sikh identity in the nineteenth century was on account of the highlighting of the intrinsic merit of the Sikh faith by the leaders of the Singh Sabha Movement and not due to the patronage extended by the British Government, as suggested by some writers in India and abroad. A comprehensive survey of the Sikh-British relations ( 1849- 1920), presented by the author offers a new perspective and is of great signifi­cance to the student of history.

The book is a collection of eight essays covering a wide range of pertinent themes relating to Sikh religion and history. The perceptive reader is bound to discover a specific point of view in each of these essays. 

About The Author Of 'Insights Into Sikh Religion And History'

Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon has had a brilliant academic career. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy for his thesis on the Singh Sabha the teaching profession in 1966 and is now working as Reader in history at the punjab University, Chandigarh. He has several books and research papers to his credit. His area of specialisation is modern history of Punjab.