Summary Of 'The Sikhs' By Khushwant Singh

In this compact but informative book, the author presents a concise history of the followers of one of the world's newest religions - Sikhism. Beginning with the life and times of the founder, the highly revered Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the contents move on to describe the vital contribution  made by the following nine Gurus in shaping and developing the sikh religion. The significance of the sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, and its centrality to the religion are emphasized. The author then dwells upon important events such as the rise of the sikhs confederacy, the acquisition of a kingdom by the sikhs and how they eventually lost it. The Pivotal role of Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been highlighted.

The focus then shifts to Punjab under the British rule. The author discusses epoch-making developments such as the movements for religious reformation, the setting up of the Singh Sabha and the accompanying social reform, the decisive Akali agitation for control of various Sikh shrines and the impact of the Ghadr rebellion. The different political groups and their influence on sikh affairs are then recounted.

Next, historically crucial episodes such as the struggle for independence from the British, the partition of India, the communal holocaust that followed and the exodus of vast multitudes are narrated in graphic detail.

The author finally rounds off the book with a description of the cultural heritage of the sikhs and a survey of what the future could hold for this community.

About The Author Of 'The Sikhs'

Khushwant Singh is easily the most widely read author in India today. His weekly columns are reproduced by over fifty journals in all the reginal languages of the country. He has done different things at different times: practised law, diplomacy and politics ; taught comparative religion at Princeton and swarthmore ; and edited The Illustrated Weekly of India and The Hindustan Times. He has written regularly for several European and American Journals including The New York Times. He has also edited and translated a number of literary works.

Author of eighty-nine books, Khushwant Singh is best known for his work of fiction,Train to Pakistan , and his two-volume History of the Sikhs, which is still considered the most authoritative writing on the subject. His acerbic pen, his wit and humour, and, most of all, his ability to laugh at himself, have ensured him immense popularity over the years.

He was a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1986. Among other honours, he was awarded the Padma  Bhushan in 1974 by the President of India (he returned the decoration in 1984 in protest against the Union government's siege of the Golden Temple, Amritsar).

He lives in New Delhi.

Table Of Contents For 'The Sikhs' By Khushwant Singh