From The Front Cover Of 'Master Tara Singh And His Reminiscences' By Prithipal Singh Kapur 

Master Tara Singh (1885-1967) was pre­eminent and the most durable leader of the Sikhs for more than four decades of the 20th century. The Sikh multitude reposed trust in him because of his impeccable integrity and honesty. Starting his career as an educator, he was driven to the arena of Gurdwara Reform movement and Sikh politics by his strong religious impulse that got ignited with Nankana Sahib Massacre in February 1921. Thereafter his proximity to the Sikh affairs catapulted him to the centre-stage of the community by early 1930. He led the Sikhs from the front in fight for freedom of India; but never hesitated to assert his stand which was not in line with the 'consensus' reflected by the congress. As a consequence, he became a victim of vilification.

Master Tara Singh was a strange brand of a politician who was essentially a seeker of truth. Sikh religion inspired him to dedicate his life to the service of the Panth, the poor and the hapless, the country and humanity. The Panthic concerns remained closer to his heart throughout. In the process, even his family became a victim of neglect, his patriotism was doubted, his anxiety to ensure a secure/respectful place for his community in the emerging political set-up of a secular India; was doubted as treason. It was the tenacity and resoluteness of Master Tara Singh that exasperated; the obstinate Mohd. Ali Jinnah, Jawahar Lal Nehru and even compelled the British to acquiesce to the partition of the Punjab and acknowledge the Sikh position in the transfer of power. Reflecting on the events, Master Tara Singh wrote, "I am deeply attached to the Sikh faith. I shall give all my love to the country wherein Sikh religion flourishes and remains safe. The Sikhs abandoned their homes, hearths and sacred shrines in Pakistan and trekked to India, where they thought their religion would be safe." "If any one calls me communal for such ideas, he is free to do so. I have no regrets", he concluded.

About The Author Of 'Master Tara Singh And His Reminiscences' 

Prithipal Singh Kapur, an eminent educationist and historian, has been the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and Director of Punjab State University Text Book Board, Chandigarh. He took over as Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism at Punjabi University, Patiala after Professor Harbans Singh. He has authored/edited several books on Sikh history/history of the Punjab including Jassa Singh Ramgarhia (Pbi., 1957), Punjab Da Itihas (1469-1799) (Phi., 1962), Master Tara Singh: Itihasak Pakh Ton (Phi., 1968), The Khalsa (Conjoint with Dharam Singh, 1999), Main Currents of Freedom Struggle in Punjab (Pb. Govt., 2004) (Phi. & English) and edited works such as Sewa Ram Singh's The Divine Master: Life & Teachings of Guru Nanak, John Malcom's Sketch of the Sikhs, History & Philosophy of Sikh Religion by Khazan Singh (2 volumes).