Earlier this year, DK India released its latest offering, Sikhs: The story of a people, their faith and culture, which chronicles the 500-year history of a community and faith built upon the values of inclusion, service, and kindness.
Today, Sikhi, the fifth-largest religion in the world, has more than 30 million practitioners around the globe. It traces its beginnings all the way back to the 15th century, when young Nanak began to show spiritual awareness at an early age. The Janamsakhis narrate many stories of his childhood, as well as contain his teachings and trace his travels across the Indian subcontinent. Guru Nanak, as he came to be known, instituted the first equitable community in Kartarpur, now in Pakistan, which ultimately led to this egalitarian religion.
Sikhs shines a spotlight on this continuing story, tracing the evolution of the faith with each subsequent Guru, the formalisation of its scripture, creation of places of worship and even entire cities around them, and the history of the people of the land of Punjab.
Sikhs shines a spotlight on this continuing story, tracing the evolution of the faith with each subsequent Guru, the formalisation of its scripture, creation of places of worship and even entire cities around them, and the history of the people of the land of Punjab.
The book is lavishly adorned with rare artefacts, photographs, and paintings by renowned artists such as Arpana Caur and Seema Kohli, sourced from incredible global and local collections, including those of Davinder S. Toor, Panjab Digital Library, and The Sikh Foundation International. Within its 324 pages, it explores how a faith led to the birth of a historic empire of immense military and political might, popularly known as the Sikh Empire (or Punjab Empire), maps the emergence of a distinct identity separate from other faiths in the Indian subcontinent, looks at its impact on the world, and celebrates the contributions of the illustrious Sikh community in contemporary times, including their service to humanity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key figures of the community find mention within these pages as well, recognizing their contributions to the faith and community. The making of this book would not have been possible without the generosity of our consultants. Eminent author and journalist Roopinder Singh provided us with counsel, feedback, and encouragement at every step in the process; and Davinder S. Toor, a leading art collector and author, allowed us access to his vast collection of Sikh art, paintings, and artefacts, along with providing us feedback and perspective on the content.
Key figures of the community find mention within these pages as well, recognizing their contributions to the faith and community. The making of this book would not have been possible without the generosity of our consultants. Eminent author and journalist Roopinder Singh provided us with counsel, feedback, and encouragement at every step in the process; and Davinder S. Toor, a leading art collector and author, allowed us access to his vast collection of Sikh art, paintings, and artefacts, along with providing us feedback and perspective on the content.
Indian contemporary artist Arpana Caur, who allowed us access to her beautiful, poignant works of art, and took the time to read the book, shared the following words of encouragement: “Well researched, beautifully designed, great tribute to the Sikh Faith.”
Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Government of India and currently Distinguished Fellow in the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, also took the time to go through the book and supported us in its making. He called the book “... a masterful weaving of the evolution of the Sikh religion presented along with social and historical developments in Punjab and more broadly in India. It also covers the expanding presence of Sikhs in the world. The illustrations are superb. A great job.”
An ideal gift and collector’s item for those interested in Indian history, culture, religion, or the diaspora, Sikhs is well-paced, engrossing, and a true celebration of the people.
– Avanika & Nayan
Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Government of India and currently Distinguished Fellow in the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, also took the time to go through the book and supported us in its making. He called the book “... a masterful weaving of the evolution of the Sikh religion presented along with social and historical developments in Punjab and more broadly in India. It also covers the expanding presence of Sikhs in the world. The illustrations are superb. A great job.”
An ideal gift and collector’s item for those interested in Indian history, culture, religion, or the diaspora, Sikhs is well-paced, engrossing, and a true celebration of the people.
– Avanika & Nayan
