Preface To 'Historical Analysis Of Giani Gian Singh's Writings' By Dr. Sukhdial Singh

Early Gurmukhi writings are undoubtedly important sources of Sikh  history but the thoughts contained in them are variant. So far these sources have been frequently used in writing Sikh history but have not historically analysed. Of course, some work in this regard has recently been done on the subject. The authenticity of such writings ot be confirmed without an historical analysis. It goes without saying Giani Gian Singh is one of the foremost early writers who has not written a detailed history but also delineated the account of those institutions and aspects of Sikhism which have gone a long way in uencing the contemporary Sikh society. He may be regarded as a erunner in giving certain important and specific information to us concerning various aspects of Sikh history which have been taken up in relevant chapters. Nevertheless, Giani Gian Singh has not only been quoted in so far as his account of contemporary events is concerned but modern writers have also frequently referred to him while describing the history of Sikh Gurus and Sikh mists of which period he was not a ontemorary. It is evident that his analysis of history is useful inspite of the fact that there is a lot of mythical evidence contained in it. Hence it is imperative to analyse the writings of Giani Gian Singh and the early Gurmukhi accounts in historical perspective in order to use them as a source material for writing history. This study would have not been ccomplished without the valuable help I received from various quarters. My indebtedness to my supervisor Dr Gurbachan Singh Nayyar, Ex-Professor in the Department of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, and formerly Head of the Department for his most generous help and keen interest in this academic work is too deep for words. He watched the progress of the thesis over the years and very. kindly spared time to go through the drafts with utmost thoroughness.