The Sikhs. Their Journey of Five Hundred Years

The Sikhs. Their Journey of Five Hundred Years - Raj Pal Singh

Five hundred years ago, Guru Nanak founded the Sikh faith in India. The Sikhs defied the caste system; rejected the authority of Hindu priests; forbade magic and idolatry; and promoted the equality of men and women -- beliefs that incurred the wrath of both Hindus and Muslims. In the centuries that followed, three of Nanak's nine successors met violent ends, and his people continued to battle hostile regimes. The conflict has raged into our own time: in 1984 the Golden Temple of Amritsar -- the holy shrine of the Sikhs--was destroyed by the Indian Army. In retaliation, Sikh bodyguards assassinated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Contents: Foreword. Preface. I. The historical setting: the Sikh Gurus (1469-1708): 1. Ten Sikh Gurus. 2. Guru Nanak Dev. 3. Guru Angad Dev (1504-1552). 4. Guru Amar Das (1479-1574). 5. Guru Ram Das (1534-1581 A.D.). 6. Guru Arjun Dev (1563-1606 A.D.). 7. Guru Hargobind (1595-1644 A.D.). 8. Guru Hari Rai (1630-1661 A.D.). 9. Guru Hari Krishan (1656-1664 A.D.). 10. Guru Tegh Bahadur (1664-1675 A.D.). 11. Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 A.D.). II. The pioneer Sikh state (1709-1715 A.D.): 1. The initial efforts. 2. The fight against Bahadur Shah. 3. The struggle against Jahandar Shah. 4. Clash with Farrukh Siyyar. 5. Support base of Banda Bahadur. 6. Banda Bahadur's place in history. III. The misls (1716-99). IV. Sarkar Khalsaji (1799-1849). V. Regeneration and reformation (1849-1920): 1. Economic prosperity. 2. Social conditions. 3. The Nirankari movement. 4. Sant Khalsa and Namdhari movements. 5. The Singh Sabha and the chief Khalsa Dewan. 6. Gurdwara reform movement 1920-26. VI. Search for 'Sikh Homeland': 1. Indian statutory commission and the Sikhs. 2. Communal award and the Sikhs. 3. Government of India act, 1935 and the Sikhs. 4. "Quit India" movement of 1942 and the Sikhs. 5. Sikhs and process of constitution making. 6. The demand for Sikh homeland revived. VII. The Sikhs in Independent India. VIII. Conclusion. Annexures. Bibliography.