A Short History of Namdhari Sikhs of Punjab

The present volume briefly analyses the transformation in the Namdhari mission, strategy and organisation during the period of the last hundred fifty years since its inception. In the mid 19th century, the Namdhari Guru Balak Singh perceived his mission of socio-religious reforms in terms of sehajdhari traditions. His successor, Namdhari Guru Ram Singh transformed this mission in terms of reviving the Khalsa tradition. He formed Sant Khalsa in 1857, evolved a system of mass mobilisation and confronted British raj for the restoration of the Khalsa raj. in early 20th century, Namdhari mission underwent another radical transformation when Namdhari Guru Partap Singh integrated his movement with the national struggle. In the post-independence period, his son and successor, Namdhari Guru Jagjit Singh exhorted his followers to practice the tradition of nam-simran and believe in the policy of communal harmony and co-existence.

The author of this work, Dr. Joginder Singh is presently Professor and Head of Namdhari Guru Ram Singh Chair, Guru Nanak Dev University. Amritsar. He has written extensively on the Sikh of Punjab and authored The Sikh Resurgenc (1997), Sikh Leadership (1999), The Sikh Militancy : Myth and Reality (2006) and Namdhari Guru Ram Singh: A Biography (2010).

The Namdhari Sikhs of Punjab are generally perceived in the context of Kuka movement. Earliest among the professional historians and scholars who introduced Namdhari Sikhs in this context was Dr. Ganda Singh. He wrote Kukian Di Vithia in 1944 and analyzed the revivalist programme of 'Baba Balak Singh' and 'Baba Ram Singh, the founders of the Kuka movement. The former emphasized on nam-simran and rejection of ritualism and upholding of moral and ethical values. The latter carried on the mission of his spiritual predecessor. He formed Sant Khalsa and evolved its rahit. He made arrangements for the propagation, communication and organization. Baba Ram Singh launched a tirade against the hypocrisy of his contemporary religious leaders. But some unfortunate developments led to confrontration between the Kukas and the British government. Dr. Ganda Singh perceived the Kuka movement in socio-religious terms and Kukas' confrontration with the raj an accident. He also gave his assessment on the status of founders of the Kuka movement. Ganda Singh's formulation and assessment irked the Namdhari writers. They felt as if Ganda Singh's assessment was intentionally partisan on several issues.

**Contents and Sample Pages**