History of Sikhi

Explore

History of Sikhi

History of Sikhi

Timeline

British Colonial Period

⁠

By KhalsaNama Productions |

YouTube⁠

Instagram⁠

⁠

Description

In the late 19th century, prominent commentators speculated that Sikhism was in terminal decline and would soon belong to history. Almost 50 years later the Sikhs emerged with a revived zeal and went on to become a powerful socio-political force in Punjab. What really was the Sikh chapter in the story of the British Raj? Did Sikhs maintain loyalty to the British crown, or did they fight against it? And how did Sikhs engage with Hindus, Muslims, secular Indian nationalists and British officials?

In this episode, we will be looking at this ‘middle period’ of colonial history from 1873 to 1919, which saw a radical transformation of Sikh thought. As society transitioned from feudalism to democracy, new ideologies and institutions gained popularity amongst the Punjabi masses. This was a period when the modern Sikh identity had begun to crystallise and different organisations and leaders competed to become the new guardians and ideological gatekeepers of the faith.

This documentary will also detail how major events in British-Indian history impacted Sikh leadership and politics in the Punjab. The events include: the Bubonic Plague, the Morley Minto Reforms, the First World War, the Komagata Maru incident, the Swadeshi Movement, and the Jalliahwallah Bagh Massacre.

This episode builds upon the Lahore Singh Sabha's triumph by examining the make up of Sikh leadership at the beginning of the 20th century, from the loyalist Sundar Singh Majithia and later the more radical Teja Singh Bhasaur and Master Tara Singh. We will also be looking at the power and the influence of prominent aristocrats like Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha and also the Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh.

We also cover the dominant Sikh institutions of this period, by looking at the Chief Khalsa Diwan, the Panch Khalsa Diwan, and how they have left their mark on modern Sikh theology. This includes the origins of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha, and more missionary schools of Sikh theology.

We detail the rise of Punjabi and Sikh political radicalism, with the Ghadar Movement and the Central Sikh League, and how they interacted with the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.

⁠

References

Academic papers:

Prabhjap Singh Jutla - ‘The Chief Khalsa Diwan’ Gerald Barrer - Competing visions of Sikh religion and politics: The chief Khalsa Diwan and the Panch Khalsa Diwan, 1902–1928 Michael Brunner - Education and Modernity in Colonial Punjab Khalsa College, the Sikh Tradition and the Webs of Knowledge, 1880–1947 A History of The Khalsa College Amritsar K L Tutela - Politicization Of the Sikhs in the Punjab (1919—1925) Gerald Barrer - Sikh Politics and Religion: The Singh Sabha Bhasaur Gursharan Singh Dhillon - ‘Character and Impact of the Singh Sabha Movement on the history of the Punjab’ 1973 Joginder Singh - The Sikh Gentry and it’s politics in the post World War 1 period Ajit Singh - The Bhasaur Movement

Books:

History and culture of Punjab Gurnam Singh Rekhi - Sir Sardar Sundar Singh Majithia and his relevance in Sikh politics Ganda Singh - The Singh Sabha and other socio-religious movements in the Punjab [1850-1925] J S Grewal - Master Tara Singh in Indian History H S Oberoi - The Construction of Religious Boundaries Lal Singh - Itihas Panch Khalsa Diwan J S Grewal - Maharaja Ripudaman Singh T Singh - The Autobiography of Bhai Randhir Singh Chhanda Chatterjee - The Sikh Minority and the partition of the Punjab Mcleod - The Khalsa Rehit The Sikhs of the Punjab - J S Grewal

⁠

Vichaars

Want to expand on anything discussed here? Got some material that would support this topic? Or do you disagree with anything said here? If so, we would love to hear it! Please contact us at contact@azadism.co.uk. If you Vichaar or contribution is appropriate we may list here!

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.

Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (

CtrlP

) instead.