From The Back Cover Of 'Perspectives On Sikh Gurus' By Dr. Kirpal Singh

When I joined Sikh History Research Department, Khalsa College, Amritsar, in June 1950, I started the study of Persian sources of early Sikh history. The relevant extracts from the Persian sources were selected and translated into English. These notes formed the nucleous of this book. Subsequently; these notes were added, improved and enlarged. The extracts were prefixed by a brief note 01:1 the source of information and its historical importance. An effort has been made to include all the available contemporary Persian sources on Sikh Gurus. English translation of a few references to Guru Arjan by the Christian missionaries who were present in Lahore, at the time of Guru's martyrdom have also been included.

In case of Punjabi/Gurmukhi contemporary sources relating to the Sikh Gurus, only selected and less known sources have been taken. "Patna Collection of Hukamnamas" and "A Hukamnama of Guru Gobind Singh" were written on the occasion of tricentenary birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.

On Janamsakhis, I have difference of opinion with Dr. W.H. Mecleod and Khushwant Singh. Janamsakhis constitute the recorded traditions of Guru Nanak. However exaggerated or complicated form the tradition may take, it has a kernal of truth in it. A detailed note on Early Sikh Traditions is based on the introduction of author's Punjabi book entitled "Janamsakhi Parampara", Impact of Colebrook's Janamsakhi was written for-the Asiatic Society, Calcutta. Some of the research papers included in this volume were written for the Punjab History Conference on different occasions. All this material relates to Sikh Gurus. Though written on different occasions, all these articles have been up-dated and put together to facilitate young scholars fc further research. In such a collection of articles which had been written on different occasions and for different purposes, repetition at certain places was unavoidable. It is hoped that the discerning readers will not mind it.

I am grateful to the institutions which encouraged me to write these research papers. My thanks are due to the authorities, of Khalsa College, Amritsar; Punjabi University, Patiala; Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi and Asiatic Society, Calcutta.

I am indebted to my nephew S. Hardeep Singh and his wife Mrs. Anita Singh who looked after both of us with affection during the research tour in England in 1998.

My thanks are due to Prof. Prithipal Singh Kapur, Professor of Encyclopaedia, Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr. Kharak Singh, Mohali Chandigarh for their valuable suggestions,

I am indebted to my wife Joginder Kaur who has been providing me all facilities for research work and also to M/s National Book Shop, Delhi, for taking pains to publish this book.

About The Author Of 'Perspectives On Sikh Gurus'

Dr. Kirpal Singh is a veteran Research scholar well known for his (more than two dozen) publications, research monographas and edited works in English, Punjabi and Persian. He retired as Professor and Head of Punjab Historical Studies Department, Punjabi University, Patiala. Prevously he had been Professor of Sikh History Resarch, Khalsa College, Amritsar.

Dr. Kirpal Singh has held responsible positions in the learned institutions. He had been Secretary, History and Archaeology, Asiatic Society, Calcutta, Member of Govt. of India Historical Record Commission. He has attended the National and International Seminars.

Dr. Kirpal Singh was born in 1924 in Gujranwala now in Pakistan. He received his B.A. (Hons. in History) Degree from Panjab University Lahore (Pakistan) M.A. (History) at Delhi and secured Ph.D from the Punjab University, Chandigarh. Thrice he visited England on research tours and every time he was able to dig the new material which was used in his publications.