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bhupinder's review against another edition
5.0
So you know how in many books and movies, a character lets their enemy go free for no discernible reason at all? Well, it always annoyed me. Turns out, that used to happen in history all the freaking time.
(I still don't understand the reason however, and am still annoyed by it)
This is one of the most painstakingly researched books I've ever read. Almost half of the book is footnotes and references, which is a good thing because I enjoyed reading them almost as much as the excellently written accounts of the Sikh Gurus, the later feudal lords, and the first Sikh emperor. The book goes deep into the socio-cultural, religious, and political climate before and after the advent of Sikhism, ending with British empire standing at the doors of the last major Indian state still free from its clutches.
(I still don't understand the reason however, and am still annoyed by it)
This is one of the most painstakingly researched books I've ever read. Almost half of the book is footnotes and references, which is a good thing because I enjoyed reading them almost as much as the excellently written accounts of the Sikh Gurus, the later feudal lords, and the first Sikh emperor. The book goes deep into the socio-cultural, religious, and political climate before and after the advent of Sikhism, ending with British empire standing at the doors of the last major Indian state still free from its clutches.
amarj33t_5ingh's review against another edition
1.0
To a certain point, Khushwant Singh's impeccable prose works wonders in keeping his narrative flowing. But his sporadic digressions into "maybe" territory and reliance on "Punjabi nationalism" to mitigate Sikhi's revolutionary sociopolitical aspect does him no credit. But his lack of theological finesse is not surprising given his early association with the Master Tara Singh Akali Dal and then the devaluation of his services during the Sant Fateh Singh regime.
His greatest fault is his sole reliance on Anglophonic translations of the Sikh scripture to form a stunted purview of Sikhi in which Nanak is devolved into an "otherworldly" mystic and the Khalsa made a "reaction" rather than the proactive institution which it is. An impartial analysis of the Sikh scripture substantiates the Faith's oral tradition, that the very microcosm of the Khalsa was seeded by Nanak and his successors worked to grow it.
What emerges in Khushwant's "History" then is a relation of the past rather than an exposition of why certain events transpired. One can be forgiven for thinking that the lack of profound detail and nuance points towards some inherent bias in the author's mind towards his forerunners in the field of Sikh history. Not surprisingly, Khushwant's journalist credentials sell the book and not his scope of research which seems limited to colonial era sketches of the community.
"A History of the Sikhs" is a somewhat laudable effort, but an effort nonetheless. It is poignant not for it's content, but for what it could have been had the author not aimed to cement cliched stereotypes of the Sikhs. In light of his fiction, one is left wondering as to what convinced Khushwant to devaluate his own non-fiction.
For serious students of the Sikh past, "A History" is an example of what Sikh history is not. The book is tragic for being a record of missed opportunities.
His greatest fault is his sole reliance on Anglophonic translations of the Sikh scripture to form a stunted purview of Sikhi in which Nanak is devolved into an "otherworldly" mystic and the Khalsa made a "reaction" rather than the proactive institution which it is. An impartial analysis of the Sikh scripture substantiates the Faith's oral tradition, that the very microcosm of the Khalsa was seeded by Nanak and his successors worked to grow it.
What emerges in Khushwant's "History" then is a relation of the past rather than an exposition of why certain events transpired. One can be forgiven for thinking that the lack of profound detail and nuance points towards some inherent bias in the author's mind towards his forerunners in the field of Sikh history. Not surprisingly, Khushwant's journalist credentials sell the book and not his scope of research which seems limited to colonial era sketches of the community.
"A History of the Sikhs" is a somewhat laudable effort, but an effort nonetheless. It is poignant not for it's content, but for what it could have been had the author not aimed to cement cliched stereotypes of the Sikhs. In light of his fiction, one is left wondering as to what convinced Khushwant to devaluate his own non-fiction.
For serious students of the Sikh past, "A History" is an example of what Sikh history is not. The book is tragic for being a record of missed opportunities.
amarj33t_5ingh's review against another edition
2.0
A History of the Sikhs vol. ii is the sequel to Khushwant Singh's initial History of the Sikhs vol. i. Failings of the first volume aside, vol. ii is somewhat of a remarkable history albeit with a series of its own conspicuous faults. Why remarkable? In the first place it references and quotes multiple primary references which authenticate Singh's narrative to some degree.
Where vol. ii fails is in its lack of impartiality. Khushwant reiterates the usual canards of Sikh identity bad, Hindu identity good intermixed with a less than neutral or realistic summary of the genocidal policies undertaken against the Sikhs in post-independence India. Overall, if you are seeking some linear narrative of progression with a bird's eye view of the Sikh past amalgamated with the author's own prejudices then A History of the Sikhs vol. ii is for you. If you are looking for something more profound then give this one a miss.
Where vol. ii fails is in its lack of impartiality. Khushwant reiterates the usual canards of Sikh identity bad, Hindu identity good intermixed with a less than neutral or realistic summary of the genocidal policies undertaken against the Sikhs in post-independence India. Overall, if you are seeking some linear narrative of progression with a bird's eye view of the Sikh past amalgamated with the author's own prejudices then A History of the Sikhs vol. ii is for you. If you are looking for something more profound then give this one a miss.
rick_sam's review against another edition
3.0
An Excellent book that I enjoyed in learning about Sikh history. The Second volume starts with Fall of Sikh Kingdom to Independence and demand of Khalistan. I would recommend anyone who is into Indian history to read this volume.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
rick_sam's review against another edition
3.0
During my short time in Chennai, this book filled my memories.
Frantically, I was searching for book stores in Chennai, India.
The one, that I was looking for, classic, worth time, not fluff.
I could not find classic works, or books that are not so popular, yet worth investing our time. Most books were popular best sellers. I took this book in Chennai, India. I found this at a book store in Express Avenue Mall.
Growing up in Tamil Nadu, India. I did not have much contact with Sikh community. They're known for valor and sticking with Sikh traditions. I wanted a break from my dense reading, and lack of interest.
So, I took this to read something light to get me back to reading.
This book shares about Sikh religion, early Gurus, formation of Khalsa. Region of Punjab having conflicts with Mughals, Afghans, Marathas and English. This book is until 1839, the English consolidated India in 1857.
I learnt about, how Sikh community was formed, castes within their community, socio-economic status of Sikhs.
I would recommend this book to learn about Sikh Community, their religious tradition.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried
Frantically, I was searching for book stores in Chennai, India.
The one, that I was looking for, classic, worth time, not fluff.
I could not find classic works, or books that are not so popular, yet worth investing our time. Most books were popular best sellers. I took this book in Chennai, India. I found this at a book store in Express Avenue Mall.
Growing up in Tamil Nadu, India. I did not have much contact with Sikh community. They're known for valor and sticking with Sikh traditions. I wanted a break from my dense reading, and lack of interest.
So, I took this to read something light to get me back to reading.
This book shares about Sikh religion, early Gurus, formation of Khalsa. Region of Punjab having conflicts with Mughals, Afghans, Marathas and English. This book is until 1839, the English consolidated India in 1857.
I learnt about, how Sikh community was formed, castes within their community, socio-economic status of Sikhs.
I would recommend this book to learn about Sikh Community, their religious tradition.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried