A great deal of academic literature is already available on the Sikhs. So what makes this trilogy of books any different? During the author’s travels in India, Europe, Canada and the U.S.A., he found that the younger generation has got separated from the influence of its religion, social customs, festivals, and the way of life. There is a big information and knowledge-gap. This is not their fault. This alienation is due to their being under the influence of a westernized environment, and an educational and social system in which they live. There are also the pressures to which they and their parents are exposed. Hence there is a lack of appropriate parental guidance in these mattes. There is however, a keen desire among the younger generation to learn about the heritage of the ancestors. While they are free to form their own ideas on how to lead their lives, it is important for them to understand the basic concepts, beliefs, and customs so as to understand their roots and religious beliefs. This series of books is an attempts to bridge this gap. This trilogy of books on Sikhism documents the basic information on the Sikh Religion, their historic places of worship, and their history. These books are aimed at providing the basic information in a readable and presentable format for the benefit of Generation Next especially those living outside the State of Punjab and in countries outside India especially in the UK, Canada, the U.S.A., and Malaysia. This book is focused on the religion, social customs, and way of life. This volume covers these three aspects with a focus on the ten Gurus, their lives and teachings; the Sikh orders; the philosophy and theology; the way of life; the role and status of women in the Sikh religion; religious and domestic ceremonies; the festivals; and the emerging trends and the need for reform. Intensely illustrated, the text provides tremendous visual insights to the great people, the Sikhs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jasbir Singh Khurana
Col. Jasbir Singh Khurana (Indian Army, Retd.) has spent many fruitful years in his study and research in the history of the Indian Army on the one hand and the history of the Sikhs on the other. His education was focused on an Army career from the very beginning as he completed his school and undergraduate studies in the Royal Indian Military College, Dehra Dun, India (University of Cambridge School Certificate in 1944), and the Indian Military Academy, Dehra-Dun, India (Graduated in 1947). His post-graduate studies were completed at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. India, at the age of 30. Jasbir Khurana commanded and led the 1st Battalion 8th Gorkha Rifles both in peacetime and wartime commands. He also commanded the Assam Rifles during counter-insurgency operations in Mizoram, India. The last three years in his Army career were as Assistant Adjutant General in Logistics, AG’s Branch, Army Headquarters. Out in “civvy†street, Col. (now retired) Khurana was Regional Manager for Hindustan Lever Ltd. (a Unilever company), looking after Factory Management, Sales and Marketing, during a 10-years active work profile. As an active outcome of his in-depth research, Col-Khurana has given talks and participated in discussions on “The Sikhs†and “The Sikhs in the USA†to various groups of Americans in New Jersey and Philadelphia. He has traveled widely in India, Pakistan, the USA, and Canada with restricted travels in Denmark and Holland. A prolific writer, Jasbir Khurana has published forty newspaper and journal articles dealing with India and travel. He has been the Editor of the Rimcollian (Royal India Military College Journal), during 1951-55, and 1970-80, His first book publishing effort was in 2004 with, Khuranas of The Salt Range, published by Vectra Image, in New Delhi. Besides the present book that covers The Sikhs-Their Religion, Social Customs and Way of Life, the author has the two other volumes as part of this trilogy: The Sikhs – A Historical Perspective and The Sikhs Their Historic Gurdwaras and Shrines. He is also working on The Military History of Uttarakhand (Kumaon and Garhwal Region-India). Finally, the person himself: He enjoys travels, golf, swimming, and fishing for Mahaseer and Trout.
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