Permjit Singh
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  • About
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
  • Contact
  • Never forget 1984
  • Feedback
  • Books on Sikhi
  • Israel's war criminal 2
  • Israel's war criminal
  • 1984 remembered - 01 Jun 25 London
  • Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan 06 Apr 25
  • Tree-planting 03 Apr 25
  • Boycott Israel - Ealing
  • Genocide of Palestinians by Israel
  • Palestine march London 17 May 2025
  • Anti-racism rally London 26 Oct 2024
  • Alcohol addiction - resources
  • Southall Park 29 Nov 2024
  • Published books
  • EAS-Clarion Quiz
  • Feeback form
  • Questions written badly
  • Compounding 2024
  • Food Bank 26 Nov 2024
  • US financial literacy quiz
  • Published articles
  • Hollywood's racists
  • Audio
  • Autumn is here - 2025
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Of all elements, the most significant is the element of knowledge. (SGGS 152)

ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ॥ vidhiaa veechaaree taa(n) paraupakaaree || "Vidiaa veechaaree tan parupkaaree”. That education is good, which is used for the welfare of people. (Guru Nanak Dev Ji, 356) 

Contemplate and reflect upon knowledge, and you will become a benefactor to others. (SGGS, 356)

"There is no good in science that won't help people, and there's no good in scholars isolated from people" (Al-Khawarizmi)

I've observed over time that the Sangat, generally-speaking, shows very little interest in books on Sikhi.  On the other hand, many Sikhs (academics and ordinary folk) have written and published thousands of books on many aspects of Sikhi, and in Punjabi and in English. 
Pictureclick to watch video
Karamveer Singh appeals to Sikhs to have a library in their home to stimulate a passion for reading books to change their lives (click on the image to see and listen).  Karamveer Singh says:
"There is a weakness in our community, we are not used to reading. We can have a bar [alcoholic drinks] in our homes, but we don't have libraries in our homes. If we had libraries and books, we would have a passion for reading.
But we don't have a passion for reading. Today we have a passion to buy big cars and build a bank balance. But I would like to request the community through this channel [Satluj TV], that where you have big houses, where you have expensive houses, build a room in one of those big houses, in the form of a library, where there are thoughts of precious scholars.  And by reading those thoughts, we can make a change in our lives."  Transcribed from Punjabi to English by TurboScribe.ai.  Click on this link to view the full video interview by Satluj TV of Karamveer Singh.


Read books on Sikhi and Sikhism

Browse through the list below, of more than 480 items of literature on Sikhi.  Click on "previous" or "forward" (in the bottom left and right corners of a page) to move between pages.  Filter your selection using the Categories listed in the box below.  Each book entry provides details of the book, such as its title, author, and the gurdwara library where it's located.  Check the list regularly for new books added to it. 
The list was started on 31 Jan 2025.  Currently, only items held at the library at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall (category: SGSSS) are listed, and only those written primarily in English.  In time, I hope to add books held at other local gurdwara libraries, and then books written in Punjabi.  I hope other sewadars will compile similar lists so that, ultimately, anyone in any region of any country, will be able to see online what books on Sikhi are available to read at their local gurdwara libraries.  To increase the likelihood and ease of the Sangat seeing what books are available locally, local gurdwaras need to cooperate and form a "hub and spoke" network in which the central gurdwara (the "hub") publishes an online list of books held at local gurdwaras (each a "spoke").
To send a message, please click here .
Abbreviations: AG = Adi Granth; GGS = Guru Granth Sahib; DG = Dasam Granth; NS = not stated

Categories (press Ctrl + or  - to zoom in or out if fonts are too small)

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27/4/2025

Sewadar (periodical)

Title: Sewadar (periodical)
Author surname(s): various
Author forename(s): various
Publisher: Ramgarhia Sabha, Southall
Pages: 34
ISBN: none
Publn date: 2008 (original publication date: 2008)
Location: shelf 4.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: A monthly publication of the Sabha, with articles in English.  This edition looks at the life and compositions of guru Gobind Singh, martyrs, his child, Zorawar, and Tegh Bahadur.  I guess the publication being 2008 is to remember his death in 1708.

26/3/2025

Hukamnamas shri guru Tegh Bahadur sahib

Title: Hukamnamas shri guru Tegh Bahadur sahib
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Fauja
Publisher: Punjabi university, Patiala
Pages: 127
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1996 (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: "The Hukamnamas, being the relics of the great Gurus, are a unique constituent of our sacred heritage…perhaps their chief importance lies in the highly useful evidence they provide on historical matters…[the hukamnamas of Tegh Bahadur] are an indispensible fresh source for the reconstruction of the Guru's life."  21 hukumnamas of Tegh Bahadur are included, in an  chronological order based on the author's estimates (they are not dated).  Each is shown: as a photograph of the original, then its text printed in gurmukhi and an English translation, identifying text in the hand of the guru and the calligrapher's.  The location (e.g., gurdwara, of the original hukumnama is also stated).  The hukumnamas also provide insights to the evolution of gurmukhi language and style.  The Introduction on page 33 provides some details on the life, travels, and times of Tegh Bahadur and his skills and achievements.

26/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur divine poet, saviour & martyr

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur divine poet, saviour & martyr
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Ranbir
Publisher: Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar
Pages: 138
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1975 (original publication date: 1975)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is a biography of the guru and includes translations of his hymns.  There is also a lot of material on his predecessors, plus material on his followers and the impact of his martyrdom.

26/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur and the Persian chroniclers

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur and the Persian chroniclers
Author surname(s): Singh Grewal
Author forename(s): Jagtar
Publisher: Guru Nanak Dev university, Amritsar
Pages: 138
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1976 (original publication date: 1976)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The author "carefully analyses the Persian writers of the period of Sikh rule for their treatment of the life and martyrdom of [the guru]"  The book presents tables of Persian chronicles so their accounts may be compared.  A section of the book "discusses the value of the collective evidence presented by the chroniclers on the [guruship]."

26/3/2025

The ninth Nanak a historical biography

Title: The ninth Nanak a historical biography
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Darshan
Publisher: K Lal & Co; Jullundur
Pages: 120
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1975 (original publication date: 1975)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is a biography of the guru's life and times and his travels and a translation of some of his hymns. The appendix compares the christian and bikrmi sambat calendars and dates.  There is also a bibliography.

26/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur background and the supreme sacrifice

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur background and the supreme sacrifice
Author surname(s): Singh Talib
Author forename(s): Gurbachan
Publisher: Punjabi university, Patiala
Pages: 296
ISBN: 8173806152
Publn date: 1999 (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The  book has twenty essays by various writers, organised into three groups: the work of the guru; "the essence of the teaching of Sikhism and its course uptill his day, thus relating his ideal achievement to the character of the Sikh faith [what does this all mean?] and lastly, the study of his Bani from the philosophical and literary view-points."  "Another group of essays...seeks to study some of the cherished ideals and traditions of the Sikh faith..[another group] studies the devotional compositions [of the guru]"  Another group of essays "set forth the historical,. social and cultural background of [the guru's] age [and his guruship]."

26/3/2025

Hukamnamas of guru Tegh Bahadur a historical study

Title: Hukamnamas of guru Tegh Bahadur a historical study
Author surname(s): Singh Sagar
Author forename(s): Sabinderjit
Publisher: Guru Nanak Dev university, Amritsar
Pages: 154
ISBN: 8177700472
Publn date: 2002 (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: "Hukamnama is an important source of Sikh history…a valuable source of evidence on the life and works of the Gurus.  It throws light on the organization of the Sikh congregations and also provides valuable insights on a number of issues related to the Sikh Panth.  [the book] aims at studying critically the hukumnamas [of the guru]." "the available hukamnamas are studied critically to ensure their authenticity.  An attempt is made to determine the authorship of the hukumnamas which do not have endorsements in the identical hand...An effort has been made to determine their [hukumnamas'] mutual relationship.  The entire structure of relationships is placed in chronological order to understand and appreciate the evidence in a proper perspective."  The book shows copies of the guru's hukumnamas in gurmukhi and then translated into English.  An index of names of people mentioned in hukumnamas, and the corresponding hukumnama, is included.

26/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur the unique martyr

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur the unique martyr
Author surname(s): Singh Gill
Author forename(s): Pritam
Publisher: New Academic Publishing Company
Pages: 124
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1975 (original publication date: 1975)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is "an attempt at consistent philosophy lying at the back of the historical events of the period involved.  It traces the metaphysical thought currents that moved the people to action; it examines the tensions that worked in the minds of Mughal rulers, Hindus and Sikhs, that acted and reacted on one another; and it dilineates the effloroscence that appeared in the form of resurrection of the Sikh community and freedom of Hindus from the theocratic tyranny."  "The book is purposely written in analytic form for clarifying the ideas lying behind the Martyrdom of [the guru]."  There are also chapters on: comparing Sikhi to other Indian religions; martyrdom; fearlessness, then a bibliography.

26/3/2025

Guru tegh Bahadur martyr and teacher

Title: Guru tegh Bahadur martyr and teacher
Author surname(s): Singh and Singh Talib
Author forename(s): Fauja and Gurbachan
Publisher: Punjabi university, Patiala
Pages: 211
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1975 (original publication date: 1975)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: This book is the first edition.  The book is "a useful guide to the totality of [the guru's] life and teaching" Part 1 covers his life, vision, achievements and impact.  Part II covers his compositions and notes on their interpretation.

26/3/2025

Sri guru Tegh Bahadur life history sacred hymns and teachings

Title: Sri guru Tegh Bahadur life history sacred hymns and teachings
Author surname(s): Singh Doabia
Author forename(s): Harbans
Publisher: Singh Brothers
Pages: 184
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1975 (original publication date: 1975)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: "This book contains all the divine hymns [of the guru]…with translation in simple English of each verse, the summary of the Divine Teachings, as well as, the short life story [of the guru]…The Sloks [of the guru], given at the end [of GGS], have been included in this book, and a summary of their teachings has also been given." The introduction discusses controversy about when the hymns were composed.  Hymns are presented in gurmukhi, transliterated and translated.

25/3/2025

Hymns of guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib

Title: Hymns of guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib
Author surname(s): Chellaramji
Author forename(s): Pujya Dada
Publisher: Niraguna Balik Satsang Mandal; Dada Chellaramji Ashram Niraguna Balik; PO Saproon
Pages: 159
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1965 (original publication date: 1965)
Location: shelf 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book has all the hymns of the guru, in gurmukhi and in English, with no explanations.

25/3/2025

Guru tegh Bahadur martyr and teacher

Title: Guru tegh Bahadur martyr and teacher
Author surname(s): Singh and Singh Talib
Author forename(s): Fauja and Gurbachan
Publisher: Punjabi university, Patiala
Pages: 185
ISBN: 8173802823
Publn date: 1996 (original publication date: 1975)
Location: shelf 3.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: This book is the second edition.  The book is "a useful guide to the totality of [the guru's] life and teaching" Part 1 covers his life, vision, achievements and impact.  Part II covers his compositions and notes on their interpretation.

25/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur
Author surname(s): Singh Anand
Author forename(s): Balwant
Publisher: Sterling publishers
Pages: 235
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1979 (original publication date: 1979)
Location: shelf 3.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book, like others, describes his life, times, travels, and includes a translation of his compositions. This book also provides "pen portraits, on the one side [of gurus] and, on the other hand, of [mughal rulers].  I have introduced the story of the two dynasties, the Ecclesiastical dynasty of Guru Nanak and the Imperial dynasty of Babar because they impinged on each other and very much influenced the political events of the day. This historical and religious, background, I believe, will help the reader not only to appreciate the political policies of the time but also gain a deeper understanding of the basic principles of the Sikh faith.  Effort has also been made to portray the various aspects of [the guru's] personality"

25/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur the king of martyrs

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur the king of martyrs
Author surname(s): Singh Surma
Author forename(s): M
Publisher: Singh Kirpal Singh & Co
Pages: 144
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1976 (original publication date: 1976)
Location: shelf 3.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book exposes misinformation in muslim accounts of the life and martyrdom of the guru.  It describes his early life, guruship, travels, his maryrdom and translations of his compositions.  There is a bibliography.

25/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur the sword and the spirit

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur the sword and the spirit
Author surname(s): Singh Kohli
Author forename(s): Surinder
Publisher: National Book Shop
Pages: 139
ISBN: 8171160000
Publn date: 2001 (original publication date: 1977)
Location: shelf 3.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: This book is the second edition.  Both editions have the same content.  "[this book is] a humble tribute to the memory of the great Guru Tegh Bahadur…a humble effort has been made to throw light on his life and work.  Several misunderstandings created by the Muslim chroniclers [and accepted by western writers as authoritative] about the personality of the Guru have been critically analysed and reviewed in the light of the Sikh chronicles and sayings of the Guru....The life of a divine personality is always in tune with his sayings therefore a critical study of the literary contribution of the guru has also been made."  The appendix provides a translation of his compositions (bani).

25/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Harbans
Publisher: Manohar publishers
Pages: 120
ISBN: 8173040486
Publn date: 1994 (original publication date: 1982)
Location: shelf 3.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book relies on many sources: authors from 1718 to 1843; the compositions of the guru in GGS and his letters to the Sangat; sources written in Persian, Punjabi and English; accounts (Bhatt Vahis) written by "old families" and kept by bards and geneologists; and the private collection of Ganda Singh.  The book includes a translation of some of the guru's compositions (no transliteration or gurmukhi text).  There are also chapters on: the guru's vision and teaching; his martyrdom; his travels to the East; his birth and early life and his guruship.  At the end there is detailed chronological list of his life.

25/3/2025

The sword and the spirit an introduction to Guru Tegh Bahadur's life and philosophy

Title: The sword and the spirit an introduction to Guru Tegh Bahadur's life and philosophy
Author surname(s): Singh Kohli
Author forename(s): Surinder
Publisher: Ankur publishing house, New Delhi
Pages: 139
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1977 (original publication date: 1977)
Location: shelf 3.1; 3.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: This book is the first edition.  "[this book is] a humble tribute to the memory of the great Guru Tegh Bahadur…a humble effort has been made to throw light on his life and work.  Several misunderstandings created by the Muslim chroniclers [and accepted by western writers as authoritative] about the personality of the Guru have been critically analysed and reviewed in the light of the Sikh chronicles and sayings of the Guru....The life of a divine personality is always in tune with his sayings therefore a critical study of the literary contribution of the guru has also been made."  The appendix provides a translation of his compositions (bani).

25/3/2025

Guru Tegh Bahadur his life, teachings and martyrdom

Title: Guru Tegh Bahadur his life, teachings and martyrdom
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Ram
Publisher: NS
Pages: 160
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1975 (original publication date: 1975)
Location: shelf 3.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: The book includes the guru's travels including to Assam, Malwa,  Bangar, and Anandpur.  There are also accounts of some of the earlier gurus.

3/3/2025

Atum Rang

Title: Atum Rang
Author surname(s): NS
Author forename(s): NS
Publisher: NS
Pages: 48
ISBN: none
Publn date: various (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 15.6 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: The title is my transliteration of the Punjabi title.  Most articles of  this periodical (Feb 2006 edn) are in punjabi, but there is one in E "Guru Granth Sahib and business ethics"
Most articles of  this periodical (Aug 2002 edn) are in punjabi, but there are two in E "Sikhism and caste system" and "Ghadr revisited".
Most articles of  this periodical (Mar 2002 edn) are in punjabi, but there is two in E "Mirror mirror on the wall" - an article about cutting hair and being regarded as a Sikh, and "Budding vir Jaswant Singh ji"- written by Randhir Singh, about a young convert to Sikhi and his short life.
Most articles of  this periodical (Dec 2002 edn) are in punjabi, but there is two in E "The divine symphony" - an article about guru Tegh Bahadur's bani and in particular, about nirgun (a stream of thought), and "The younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh"- about the capture and execution by the mughals of the sons.
Most articles of  this periodical (Jun 2002 edn) are in punjabi, but there is two in E "Sikhism" - an article about the life of guru Amar Dass, Sikh views of other religions, its separation from hinduism, and mysticism, and "Guru Arjan Dev-poet prophet and people's king"- about the capture and execution of the guru bu Chandu.
Most articles of  this periodical (Nov 2006 edn) are in punjabi, but there is one in E "Baba Dip Singh" - the martyr who tried to free the harimandar at Amritsar from the Turks.
Most articles of  this periodical (Oct 2006 edn) are in punjabi, but there is one in E "sri guru Ram Dass's childhood".

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