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Warriors' martial history explored in new book | Warriors' martial history explored in new book |
(12 days later) | |
Going back more than five centuries, Sikhism is a religion founded on peace, but forged by self-defence, resilience and defiance. | Going back more than five centuries, Sikhism is a religion founded on peace, but forged by self-defence, resilience and defiance. |
Sikhs might be well known for their warrior culture, but how did a peaceful community gain their martial reputation? | Sikhs might be well known for their warrior culture, but how did a peaceful community gain their martial reputation? |
Two British Sikh authors, from London, have spent decades researching the story behind the rise of the Sikh martial tradition. | Two British Sikh authors, from London, have spent decades researching the story behind the rise of the Sikh martial tradition. |
Now their work detailing the origins of the religion has become the subject of a new book, unveiled at the National Army Museum in central London. | Now their work detailing the origins of the religion has become the subject of a new book, unveiled at the National Army Museum in central London. |
The book, Warrior Saints: Four Centuries of Sikh Military History, explores the people, events and ideas that gave rise to a warrior culture, through 90 rare historical images and contemporary testimonies from archives around the world. | The book, Warrior Saints: Four Centuries of Sikh Military History, explores the people, events and ideas that gave rise to a warrior culture, through 90 rare historical images and contemporary testimonies from archives around the world. |
Hidden history | Hidden history |
Co-author Parmjit Singh, of Southall, said: "For the past 20 years, we have been on a wonderful journey of discovery to reveal this hidden history. | Co-author Parmjit Singh, of Southall, said: "For the past 20 years, we have been on a wonderful journey of discovery to reveal this hidden history. |
''The reputation of the Sikhs as warriors is well known throughout the world. However, how they gained that reputation has never been fully told or appreciated. | ''The reputation of the Sikhs as warriors is well known throughout the world. However, how they gained that reputation has never been fully told or appreciated. |
"Indeed, the details have always been sketchy, even to Sikhs themselves." | "Indeed, the details have always been sketchy, even to Sikhs themselves." |
The book features illustrations comprising rare historical paintings, photographs, artefacts and maps. | The book features illustrations comprising rare historical paintings, photographs, artefacts and maps. |
They explore the martyrdoms and conflicts that gave rise to a culture steeped in the teachings of Guru Nanak, the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus. | They explore the martyrdoms and conflicts that gave rise to a culture steeped in the teachings of Guru Nanak, the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus. |
"The images in the book offer a fairly complete and unprecedented window into Sikh history, in a way never captured before," said Mr Singh. | "The images in the book offer a fairly complete and unprecedented window into Sikh history, in a way never captured before," said Mr Singh. |
''It is a tale of enormous fortitude and resolve that rivals any military history through the ages," he added. | ''It is a tale of enormous fortitude and resolve that rivals any military history through the ages," he added. |
One of the images in the book shows what is thought to be the only contemporary portrait of the Sixth Guru, Hargobind. | One of the images in the book shows what is thought to be the only contemporary portrait of the Sixth Guru, Hargobind. |
He raised the first Sikh standing army after his father, the fifth guru, was executed. | He raised the first Sikh standing army after his father, the fifth guru, was executed. |
Fighting oppression | Fighting oppression |
Guru Hargobind started to militarise Sikhs so that they would be able to resist any oppression. | Guru Hargobind started to militarise Sikhs so that they would be able to resist any oppression. |
"It's a stunning portrait of the first real warrior amongst the ten gurus," said Mr Singh. | "It's a stunning portrait of the first real warrior amongst the ten gurus," said Mr Singh. |
"It's a remarkable find for us to have a portrait that is believed to be from his actual lifetime." | "It's a remarkable find for us to have a portrait that is believed to be from his actual lifetime." |
The authors said they wanted to remind modern generations of Sikhs about the struggles and history of their ancestors, which they believe has been forgotten by many. | The authors said they wanted to remind modern generations of Sikhs about the struggles and history of their ancestors, which they believe has been forgotten by many. |
Co-author Amandeep Madra, of Hillingdon, said: "People think of the Sikh warrior tradition as coming into being with the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 by the 10th Guru, Gobind Singh. | |
"In fact, its roots lie in the teachings of Guru Nanak in the 1500s and in the struggles of the Sikhs for survival from the early 1600s." | "In fact, its roots lie in the teachings of Guru Nanak in the 1500s and in the struggles of the Sikhs for survival from the early 1600s." |
Many Sikhs in the capital have welcomed the long-awaited book. | Many Sikhs in the capital have welcomed the long-awaited book. |
The director of the City Sikhs Network, Jasvir Singh, said it gave context to the Sikh community today and how it developed from the Gurus to the modern day. | The director of the City Sikhs Network, Jasvir Singh, said it gave context to the Sikh community today and how it developed from the Gurus to the modern day. |
"It's very accessible to be able to make a connection between Sikh history and present day Sikhs through the images. | "It's very accessible to be able to make a connection between Sikh history and present day Sikhs through the images. |
"It's different to other books because it's engaging and really highlights what the Sikh community was like then and how has it evolved. | "It's different to other books because it's engaging and really highlights what the Sikh community was like then and how has it evolved. |
"It is a wonderful way to restore and preserve our history for generations to come.'' | "It is a wonderful way to restore and preserve our history for generations to come.'' |
You can hear more on this story on BBC Asian Network on Saturday 4th May. | You can hear more on this story on BBC Asian Network on Saturday 4th May. |
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