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Videos
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Sikhi & History: Bhai Vir Singh's Perspectives
Join Harinder Singh at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi, as he explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history on 25 September 2024.
Key Challenges & Advice for the Sikh Community’s Future
As individual achievements within the Sikh community continue to rise, a new challenge emerges: prosperity often brings caution, with people becoming more reluctant to take risks when there’s more at stake.
Diaspora's Role in Justice for 1984 & Speaking on Panjab's Future
What role should the Sikh diaspora play in seeking justice for 1984 and discussing sovereignty and Khalistan, especially from a place of relative safety?
Youth Activism & Misrepresentation: Sikhs, Sovereignty, and Media Narratives
Violence in modern forms, like drone warfare, has become normalized, making it difficult for communities visibly associated with arms—such as Sikhs—to be understood within their cultural and historical context.
Navigating Identity, Justice, and Safety: A Message to Sikh Youth
In recent years, Sikh youth in the diaspora have taken up advocacy, challenging narratives and seeking justice despite fears of backlash. How can they navigate the tension between family commitments, safety, and the drive for community empowerment?
1984: What does justice look like?
The concept of justice is often discussed in relation to the events of 1984, where the focus tends to be on bringing perpetrators to justice. However, a deeper question emerges: What does true justice look like?
Liv - Free Akal Takht - Looking Back - Forging On
We were once free. Our sovereign institutions were answerable only to the Guru and the Divine. Today the Akal Takht, built by Guru Harigobind Sahib, is under the laws of the Indian state.
Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning
What’s the relationship between the Gurduara governance and the local sangat worldwide? We traced Gurduara’s history throughout the ages and surveyed the opinions of 1,172 self-identified Sikhs from 22 countries.
Bhakti & Shakti
Bhakti and Shakti are two sides of the Guru. While deep internal contemplation and the exuberant worldly power are often painted as dichotomous, Sikh history, Gurbani, architecture and art all demonstrate their interwoven and complementary nature.
A Brave Life of the Exemplary Sikh Warrior: Sikh History
This is the story of Hari Singh Nalua, a formidable general in the army of the Khalsa during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. From birth to death, what lessons can we learn from this figure from Sikh history?
Bhai Vir Singh: Consciousness Streams Beyond Eras
Who was Bhai Vir Singh, and why is he called the "sixth river of Panjab"? A century ago, Bhai Vir Singh profoundly influenced Panjab—then a unified region in South Asia, now divided between India and Pakistan.
Representing 1984
Join us as we explore the recent rise of literature, art, film, and photography focusing on the anti-Sikh violence of 1984.
Articles
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Ghallugharas & Raj
This essay explores the origin of Ghallughara. Why were they orchestrated, and who enacted them? How are they intrinsically linked to the Raj?
Subversion of Justice
Over the past forty years, more than ten commissions and inquiry committees have been set up to find the truth behind the November 1984 Sikh genocide, probing the role of police and politicians and seeking to identify the culprits.
Mata Gujri: The Eternal Matriarch of Sikh Valor and Grace
This essay encapsulates the extraordinary journey of Mata Gujri ji, a beacon of courage, faith, and sacrifice. As the wife of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib and the grandmother of the Sahibzadeys, her steadfast devotion illuminated Sikh history.
Gur Purab: Celebrating the 1’s Greatness of Guru Nanak Sahib
This essay attempts to answer a few questions related to Guru Nanak Sahib’s birth anniversary from primary and secondary sources, as well as the early traditions and the evolving culture to date. What does Purab mean?
Echoes of 1984
This interview delves into the profound reflections of author Ajeet Cour, a witness to both the 1947 Partition and the 1984 Ghallughara, and her daughter, artist Arpana Caur.
Guru Amardas Sahib: The Essence of Giving
This essay reflects on the sacred nature of giving, inspired by Guru Amardas Sahib's and Baba Mohri ji's narrative. It explores the importance of honoring the trust placed in us when we receive resources meant for the greater good.
Woman: Gateway to Freedom
“The whole Guru Grantha is the voice of a wedded women or a maiden pining in love of the Beautiful. Her nobleness in Guru Grantha is infinite, her freedom is of the highest. Both man and woman as sexes are forgotten in her voice.
Maharaja of Firangi
Last week I walked into the first exhibition to comprehensively explore the extraordinarily rich culture of the maharajas. “Maharaja – the Splendor of India‘s Royal Courts” is the feature exhibit at the Victoria & Alberta Museum in London...
Guru Angad
Today marks the gurgaddi divas, the Coronation Day of Guru Angad Sahib, the Second Sovereign of Sikhi. Guru Angad Sahib's unwavering devotion and obedience to Guru Nanak Sahib set a profound example for Sikhs.
The Messiah Is Here
We all suffer at times, weighed down with personal traumas, disappointments and regrets. According to the Buddhists, the primary truth of all of human existence is suffering. But in Sikhi, while our Guru acknowledges that there is much suffering in life, there is more to life and the universe than mere suffering. No, life is so much more than suffering.
1984 Woke Me Up From A Deep Slumber
In this poignant reflection, Inni Kaur shares her awakening from a cultural Sikh to a deeply connected follower, driven by the pain and loss of June 1984.
Top Ten Truths About Guru Teghbahadar Sahib
Guru Teghbahadar Sahib’s life and legacy are unparalleled in the annals of world history. The Guru proclaimed: “Be very clear in your mind; the insightful person is the one who doesn’t fear anyone nor frightens anyone.”
Podcasts
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Sikhi & History: Bhai Vir Singh's Perspectives
Harinder Singh explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi.
1984: Witness, Document, Justice
Since 1984, in the aftermath of “Operation Blue Star” and the Sikh Genocide, many narratives have surfaced—graphic, heartbreaking, and deeply emotional. Yet, one crucial perspective often remains overlooked: the voices of the first responders.
Heartbeats of ‘84
Join host Santbir Singh as he delves into the profound impact of 1984 through the personal reflections of guest Pritpal Singh.
1984 & Its Afterlives
To mark the 40th year of the violence of 1984, we reflect on the events that unfolded in India and make connections with the ongoing and durable violence against Sikhs, Muslims, and other minority groups in India and the diaspora.
A Conversation on Anand Sahib: The Bliss
Inni Kaur joins Sikh Heritage Month to discuss the deeper meaning of Anand Sahib by Guru Amardas Sahib.
The Attack on Political Sikhi
Manvinder Kaur and Santbir Singh explore the events of 1984 that forever transformed the landscape of Sikh history and politics in India.
Pakistan: Uncovering a Sikh Heritage
In this episode, our panel each draws from their specific expertise and experience to draw the connection of Sikh Heritage in Pakistan.
The Sikhs and The Panjab
73 years ago, two nation-states were carved by the British mapmaking: Hindustan and Pakistan. The historical Sikh Homeland in The Panjab was divided by the Radcliffe line. In now truncated Indian Panjab, a proportion of the Sikhs led many campaigns to fight for economic, political, state, human, and religious rights. What’s next to secure the Sikh aspirations and the Panjab’s autonomy?
“Emperor-Prophet” - The Real Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The Panjab Digital Library was selected to develop an exhibition for the 350-year celebration of Guru Gobind Singh by the government of Bihar.
Everywhere I Go, Bithal is Present
Listen to Harinder Singh’s reflection on Bhagat Namdev’s evolution from deity worship to seeing Divinity pervading everywhere.
1984: Why Should I Care?
Why do I care about the violence that occurred during 1984…why should I care?
Sikh History in Afghanistan
Dr. Pritpal Singh discusses the importance, history, and significance of Afghanistan for Sikhs, from the time of the Gurus to now.
Courses
Resources
Getting to Know 1984
Embark on a journey to explore the Ghallugharas (large-scale massacres and battles) of 1984. Discover the resilience and sacrifices of the Sikhs and uncover the critical lessons they impart for our present and future.
Getting to Know Rani Jind Kaur
"Getting to Know Rani Jind Kaur" is an extensive educational resource meticulously crafted to introduce students to the illustrious legacy of Rani Jind Kaur and the admirable qualities of Sikh leadership. Each lesson is thoughtfully paired with various "Advanced Learning Opportunities," catering to students of diverse proficiency levels and encouraging them to delve deeper into learning and contemporary discourse.
A Special Report on Historical Context 1984
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current crisis involving Sikhs, Panjab, India, and the diaspora, with a focus on the historical context primarily from 1984 to 2023.
Getting to Know Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
Explore the life and lessons of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and his legacy through our downloadable education resource and our originally produced podcast and video series ‘Sikh History.’
Getting to Know Hari Singh Nalua
Explore the life and lessons of Hari Singh Nalua and his legacy through our downloadable curriculum, as well as through our originally produced podcast and video series 'Sikh History'.
