Sikh History

Sikh History

Videos

Thursday
,
14
November
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.

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Wednesday
,
13
November
2024

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?

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Tuesday
,
12
November
2024

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.

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Monday
,
11
November
2024

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?

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Sunday
,
10
November
2024

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?

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Saturday
,
9
November
2024

Countering 1984 Narratives & Overcoming Barriers

Understanding the 1984 events starts with self-education and discerning sources. The government’s single narrative—the White Paper—was quickly discredited, yet it remains widespread, leaving much unaddressed since June 1984.

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Tuesday
,
9
February
2016

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.

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Monday
,
24
September
2018

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.

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Sunday
,
19
July
2020

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.

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Friday
,
23
October
2020

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?

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Friday
,
19
November
2021

Representing 1984

Join us as we explore the recent rise of literature, art, film, and photography focusing on the anti-Sikh violence of 1984.

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Tuesday
,
21
December
2021

A December Poem: Sikhi's Fragrance

Mahakavi Santok Singh gives us a glimpse into Love. A woman’s deep-seated love for Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. 

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Articles

Friday
,
22
November
2024

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.

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Friday
,
15
November
2024

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?

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Tuesday
,
5
November
2024

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.

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Tuesday
,
29
October
2024

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.

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Tuesday
,
15
October
2024

Banda Singh Bahadar

Embark on the profound journey of Baba Banda Singh Bahadar, the guardian of Panjab's heritage.

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Monday
,
16
September
2024

From Humility to Divinity

In this reflective essay marking the 450th Coronation Anniversary of Guru Ramdas Sahib, we journey through the profound life of the Guru—from his humble beginnings in Chuna Mandi to his transformative role in Sikh history.

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Sunday
,
8
March
2009

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.

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Thursday
,
5
November
2009

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...

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Saturday
,
18
September
2010

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.

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Monday
,
18
June
2012

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.

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Monday
,
2
June
2014

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.

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Tuesday
,
24
November
2015

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.”

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Podcasts

Friday
,
30
December
2022

Nam: Divine Identification

Join us as we delve into Bhai Vir Singh’s epic poem “Rana Surat Singh.” The poem unveils mystical love’s mysteries via 14,270 lines in thirty-five cantos. Mystical love is helical and circular in its workings.

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Friday
,
16
December
2022

Isnan: Cleansing

In the second podcast, we discuss:‍What is purification? What is cleansing? Is it necessary in the journey to becoming a Gurmukh, Guru-oriented?

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Thursday
,
19
May
2022

Jassa Singh Ahluwalia: Part 2

Jassa Singh Ahluwalia's leadership helped the Sikh community through multiple genocidal campaigns and turned out sovereigns in Panjab, a North-Western region in South Asia.

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Thursday
,
19
May
2022

Jassa Singh Ahluwalia: Part 1

This is the story of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718-1783, of the most outstanding leaders Sikhs have had. As a leader of the Dal Khalsa, he prepared the Sikh community to take control of its own destiny in the most troubled times...

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Monday
,
29
November
2021

Representing 1984

Join us as we explore the recent rise of literature, art, film, and photography focusing on the anti-Sikh violence of 1984.

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Thursday
,
13
May
2021

Reflecting on Time, One Becomes the Willing-Servant

Jasleen Kaur reflects on the play of past, present, and future, the play of creation, and the importance of Remembrance.

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,

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.

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,

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?

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Wednesday
,
11
January
2017

“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.

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Monday
,
24
April
2017

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.

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Wednesday
,
18
December
2019

1984: Why Should I Care?

Why do I care about the violence that occurred during 1984…why should I care?

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Monday
,
30
March
2020

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.

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Courses

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Resources

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.

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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.

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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.’

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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'.

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