Must-read Sikh history for beginners

A list of various book recommendations suitable for beginners to Sikh history.

Often a question posed to the writers of Khalsa Chronicle is what books are recommended for a beginner to Sikh history? Hence, we decided to compile a list of suitable and easily available books for beginners ranging from a variety of topics such as the Gurus, Banda Singh Bahadur, Sarkar-i-Khalsa, Singh Sabha, the Akali movement and Sikh militancy. Where possible, we have embedded the links to the books but otherwise, the other books are easily available on any other e-stores; the Sri Asdhuj store has a collection of the books listed.

Life of Banda Singh Bahadur: Based on Contemporary and Original Records

The Life of Banda Bahadur by Dr Ganda Singh was released in 1935 and is a key read on Banda Singh Bahadur’s life, giving sources from Mughal records about the territorial expansion of his empire in such short succession. This book was a part of a greater Sikh narrative-building framework as a few decades before, the Arya Samaj would claim Banda Singh Bahadur, in their attempt to create a pure Arya historiography. Even many years after, this book is still one of the most authoritative works on Banda Singh Bahadur.  

A Short History of The Sikhs (1469-1765)

A Short History of The Sikhs (1469-1765) by Ganda Singh and Teja Singh is an attempt by the two historians, to write Sikh history in a condensed format and is perfectly suited for those new to Sikh history. The book makes mention of many historical topics from the Gurus to Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule of Sarkar-i-Khalsa and allows the reader to grasp the basic outlines of Sikh history.

The First Anglo-Sikh War

The First Anglo-Sikh War by Amarpal Sidhu is a book on the military history of the first Anglo-Sikh war, in 1845-46, and gives an account of the war from both British and Sikh perspectives. The author uses a wide variety of maps and battlefield guides, to allow readers to understand the environment of the battle better. Overall, this book is well recommended for military history enthusiasts and beginners alike.

The Akali Movement

The Akali Movement by Mohinder Singh gives a detailed summary of the Gurudwara Reform Movement and the creation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal from 1920 till 1925, authored by Dr. Mohinder Singh. It contains rare original photographs and first hand accounts from the various morchas and agitations.

Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708): Master of the White Hawk

Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708): Master of the White Hawk by JS Grewal is a book on the life of Guru Gobind Singh, reflecting on battles fought with Mughals and their hill vassals and how the institution of the Khalsa was created. It uses a wide variety of sources and hukamnamas, making it one of the most authoritative works yet on Guru Gobind Singh.

The Sikh Minority and the Partition of the Punjab: 1920-1947

The Sikh Minority and the Partition of the Punjab: 1920-1947 by Chhanda Chatterjee is a book on how Sikhs and the British interacted through the Akali movement, creation of the SGPC and the emergence of Master Tara Singh. Later on, it refers to how Sikhs felt a need to militarise themselves and switched from diplomatic means to creating militias during the Partition.

The Singh Sabha and Other Socio-Religious Movements in the Punjab

The Singh Sabha and other Socio-religious Movements in the Punjab is a compilation of essays, edited together by Dr Ganda Singh. It mentions the Singh Sabha movement in sufficient detail alongside other concurrent religious movements like the Arya and Brahmo Samaj and the Ahmadiyya movement, alongside mentioning pre-Singh Sabha reform movements like the Namdharis and Nirankaris and the post-Singh Sabha politicisation into the Akali movement and creation of the Chief Khalsa Diwan.

Sikh Ideology, Polity and Social Order: From Guru Nanak to Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Sikh Ideology, Polity, and Social Order: From Guru Nanak to Maharaja Ranjit Singh by JS Grewal is a selection of essays written, split into four main sections: The ideology of Guru Nanak, the creation of Khalsa, the creation of Sikh polity through the misls and Sarkar-i-Khalsa and the ideology of Sikh social order. It serves as a good introduction to the institution of the Khalsa and the creation of the Sarkar-i-Khalsa from the misls.  

Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants

Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogue with the Sikh Militants by Cynthia Keppley Mahmood looks at the Sikh militancy through the eyes of the militants themselves. Throughout her book, Mahmood recalls her talks with several Sikh militants on their background, motives, and objectives while highlighting Operation Bluestar, the 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms, and the violence in Punjab that followed. Either picking up the gun for the sake of the wider community or because of personal vendettas, this book highlights the complex nature of an armed movement and the people behind it.

Afghan Hindus and Sikhs

The Afghan Hindus and Sikhs by Inderjeet Singh explains how Hinduism and Sikhi both have existed in Afghanistan as native religions, referring to the Hindu Shahi rulers, who were replaced in the 10th century. From then on, native Hindus and Sikhs there took part in the burgeoning trade of Afghanistan as a key hub on the Silk Road.