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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Photo by Fabio Pellegrini; Photo by sandeep gill  
Explore more free images on Sikhi here
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)

All 1984 5 Ks Of Sikhs 5 Pyaraas Adi Granth Ardas Asa Di Var Atum Rang Baba Buddha Baba Dip Singh Baba Sheikh Farid Baba Sohan Singh Malacca Bachittar Natak Banda Singh Bahadur Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara Bhagat Puran Singh-Pingalwara Bhagats Bhagat Singh Bhai Ghaniya Ji Mission Society Bhai Gurdas Bhai Maharaj Singh Bhai Mani Singh Bhai Santok Singh Biographies Of Sikh Gurus British Raj Caste And Equality City Of Amritsar Contributors To GGS Culture Current Sikh Affairs Dalip Singh Dal Khalsa Dasam Granth Dictionary Disciples Dr Balbir Singh Economics Egoism Encyclopedia Gobind Singh Marg Golden Temple Greeting Card Gurbani And Health Gurdwara Hemkunt Gurdwaras Globally Gurdwaras In Delhi Gurdwaras In India Gurdwaras In Pakistan Gurdwaras Management Gurmukhi Language And Style Guru Amar Das Guru Angad Dev Guru Arjan Dev Guru Gobind Singh Guru Granth Sahib Guru Hargobind Guru Har Krishan Guru Har Rai Guru Nanak Guru Ram Das Guru Tegh Bahadur Hukamnanas Human Spirit Hymns Jagjit Singh Herkhowal Janamsakhis Japji Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Jewellery Kabir Khalistan Khalsa Kirtan Kirtan Sohila Langar Learning Punjabi Lohgarh Manjki Region Of Punjab Martyrs Meenhan Singh Miri Piri Musical Instruments Mythology Namdhari Movement Nand Singh Paath Partition 1947 Periodical Punjab The Region Punjab - The Region Raagmala Randhir Singh Ranjit Singh Rehat Rehraas Sachkhand Patra Sahibzadas Science Sehaj Sewa SGSSS Sikh Art Lit Culture Sikh Baptism Sikh Battles Sikh Character Sikh Courier Sikh Diaspora Sikh Digest Sikh Federation UK Sikh Festivals Sikh Funeral Sikh History For Children Sikh History General Sikh History - General Sikh Holocausts Sikhi Misinformation Sikh Insignia Sikhi Principles Sikhi Studies And Research Sikhi Versus Other Religions Sikh Marriage Sikh Names Sikh Organisations Sikh Politics Sikh Review (periodical) Sikhs And Eating Meat Sikhs In Britain Sikhs In Pakistan Sikh Sword Sikh Takhts Sikh Turban Sikh Women Simran Spirituality Sukhmani The Ideal Man Twelve Months Bara Maha Vachitar Natak Bachittar Natak Zafarnama

19/4/2025

Guru Gobind Singh life and achievements vol 1

Title: Guru Gobind Singh life and achievements vol 1
Author surname(s): Macauliffe
Author forename(s): Max Arthur
Publisher: National Book Shop
Pages: 205
ISBN: 8171162256
Publn date: 1999 (original publication date: 1999)
Location: shelf 4.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: The book is a biography of the guru and has no unusual chapters, except chapters on: the Sikh way of life; grooming Banda Bahadur; and worship the sword.  There is a bibliograohy.

19/4/2025

Guru Gobind Singh on the canvas of history

Title: Guru Gobind Singh on the canvas of history
Author surname(s): Kumar Verma
Author forename(s): Devinder
Publisher: Harman publishing house
pages: 200
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1995 (original publication date: 1995)
Location: shelf 4.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book "reveals objectively the process by which the Guru transformed a common folk into a chivalrous race…efforts have been made to remove the prevalent inaccuracies and wrong notions created by various authors…The book presents [the guru] as a great saint, an astute organiser, an accomplished general and gifted poet...He taught his men to lead a life of fearlessness, self-respect and high moral values."  Chapters include: his relations with mughal emperors; his contribution to Indian literature; development of Sikhism under the gurus; his battles before and after the Khalsa was created; his early life.  A glossary and bibliography are included, plus a chronology of events from 1666 to 1747

5/3/2025

B-40 Janamsakhi guru Baba Nanak - paintings

Title: B-40 Janamsakhi guru Baba Nanak - paintings
Author surname(s): Hans
Author forename(s): Surjit
Publisher: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Pages: 57
ISBN: 8177700111
Publn date: NS (original publication date: NS)
Location: shelf 1.2 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is a collection of paintings portraying the life and times of guru Nanak.  They are from a manuscript written in 1733 AD and called B-40 held at the India Office ;ibrary, London.  The paintings "embody the basic doctrines of Sikhism."

3/3/2025

Sankhip Sikh Ithiaas: 1469-1979

Title: Sankhip Sikh Ithiaas: 1469-1979
Author surname(s): Singh Pudum
Author forename(s): Piara
Publisher: Piara Singh Pudum
Pages: 328
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1979 (original publication date: 1963)
Location: shelf 15.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: The title and name of the author are my transliterations of the Punjabi text.  This book is almost all in Punjabi but included here because of a letter in English on pages 126-128 dated 22/05/1776 by a Brit to another Brit, that describes the appearance and habit of Sikhs.  It is  included here for its historical significance because it describes Sikhs and is by a Brit in 1776.  The book also has several B&W photos of Sikhs.  The end also has lists of dates and events (in Punjabi text) that look useful, but I cannot decipher them.

1/3/2025

Sikh faith - an epitome of inter-faith for divine realisation

Title: Sikh faith - an epitome of inter-faith for divine realisation
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Iqbal
Publisher: The Kalgidhar Trust, Gurdwara Baru Sahib
Pages: 566
ISBN: none
Publn date: 2014 (original publication date: 2014)
Location: shelf 14.7 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: "The gist of this book is to shake up the human mind to realise the purpose for which he has come in this world."  The book covers many subjects on Sikhi: the contributors to GGS; the cosmopolitan character of the contributors to GGS illustrating its relevance to all humans; the creation and significance of the human form; the body, mind and soul; actions and the Divine law; the Divine word; the Divine path and searching for the truth; meditation; mental states; joy & sorrow; virtues & vices; rehat; Sikh traditions; cardinal sins; GGS; biographies of the gurus; meat-eating and its significance.

1/3/2025

Sikhism

Title: Sikhism
Author surname(s): Cole and Singh Sambhi
Author forename(s): W.Owen and Piara
Publisher: Ward Lock Educational
Pages: 48
ISBN: '0706231473
Publn date: 1973 (original publication date: 1973)
Location: shelf 14.7 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: The booklet covers: the origins and growth of Sikhism; Sikh beliefs; Sikh life and worship; suggestions for further reading.

27/2/2025

Punjabi names and their meaning

Title: Punjabi names and their meaning
Author surname(s): not stated
Author forename(s): not stated
Publisher: not stated
Pages: 1
ISBN: none
Publn date: not stated (original publication date: not stated)
Location: shelf 14.3 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: A page (presumably from a book) of Punjabi names and their meaning in English.  Only K is listed on this page.

27/2/2025

Abstracts of Sikh studies

Title: Abstracts of Sikh studies
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Kharak
Publisher: Institute of Sikh studies, Chandigarh
Pages: 128
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1997 (original publication date: 1997)
Location: shelf 14.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: no
Overview: A periodical with approximately 14 articles on various subjects, plus book reviews, and letters to the editor.

27/2/2025

The quintessence of Sikhism

Title: The quintessence of Sikhism
Author surname(s): Singh Mansukhani
Author forename(s): Gobind
Publisher: SGPC, Amritsar
Pages: 308
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1997 (original publication date: 1985)
Location: shelf 14.1 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book covers: Sikh gurus, the period after the gurus, Sikh: culture, literature, art, and philosophy; cosmology; rights and duties of humans; and ethics.  Another part of the book covers: Sikh: principles, ceremonies, and the GGS.  A bibliography and glossary are included. Extracts in English of gurbani are also provided.

17/2/2025

The arts of the Sikh Kingdoms

Title: The arts of the Sikh Kingdoms
Author surname(s): Strong
Author forename(s): Susan
Publisher: V&A Publications for Prakash Books
Pages: 256
ISBN: 8172340206
Publn date: 1999 (original publication date: 1999)
Location: shelf 10.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book has a chronology of Sikhism, the mughal empire, and the British monarchy, from 1500 to 1950.  "This book and its accompanying exhibition mark the tercentenary of the Khalsa."  Various contributors discuss: the Sikhs; Sikhi; the golden temple; Ranjit Singh; arts of the court of Ranjit Singh; painting in the Punjab; textiles; military; Dalip Singh; traditions after Ranjit Singh; European views of the Punjab; photography and the Punjab.  The book ends with a catalogue of items exhibited in 1999, chapter notes, a glossary, a bibliography, and notes on contributors to the chapters.

17/2/2025

Folk Art of the Punjab: an essay on the art and philosophy of courage, voluptuous celebration and demythologising incision

Title: Folk Art of the Punjab: an essay on the art and philosophy of courage, voluptuous celebration and demythologising incision
Author surname(s): Singh Gill
Author forename(s): Harjeet
Publisher: Publication Bureau Punjabi University, Patiala
Pages: 120
ISBN: 8173803331
Publn date: 1997 (original publication date: not stated)
Location: shelf 10.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: I do not understand the purpose of this book. There are several pages of text but they are meaningless to me, after multiple readings.  These pages are followed by text written by the gurus (Japji, Asa di Var, Sidh Gosht, Bachitr Natak) and there is Hir of Waris Shah, and Var Shah Mohammad about the events after the death of Ranjit Singh, but again, I do not see the point and purpose of including these.  The second half of the book has unnumbered illustrations by HS Gill, HS Sidhu, and Surjeet Singh "which conform to the collective consciousness of our young artists of a continuous heritage of innumerable centuries that has not always left its mark on the paradigmatic line of history.  With the most elementary materials of cotton and clay our young girls prepared their "dowry" and contributed to the aesthetic sensibility of their surroundings"

17/2/2025

Punjab painting

Title: Punjab painting
Author surname(s): Aryan
Author forename(s): KC
Publisher: Prof Gurcharan Singh; Punjab University, Patiala
Pages: 118
ISBN: none
Publn date: 1975 (original publication date: 1975)
Location: shelf 10.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is "a survey of painting in the Punjab from 1841 to 1941" but also, at least, touches upon periods before and after.  The book provides a list of painters from around 1799 to 1941 (and biographies of some painters), including those employed in the court of Ranjit Singh.  The back of the book provides descriptions of paintings, followed by a section about the painters.  The book also has a short bibliography.

17/2/2025

Maharaja Ranjit Singh: lord of the five rivers

Title: Maharaja Ranjit Singh: lord of the five rivers
Author surname(s): Lafont
Author forename(s): Jean-Marie
Publisher: Oxford Univ Press and Timeless Books
Pages: 183
ISBN: '0195661117
Publn date: 2003 (original publication date: 2002)
Location: shelf 10.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: The book is based on an exhibition of "the kingdom of the Punjab under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799-1839)."  It portrays his life and times and commemorates the 200th anniversary of his coronation.  The book lists the "Chronology of Punjab history" from 540 BC to 1849; a chronology of Ranjit Singh's life; a history of the Punjab; Lahore; the army of Punjab; religion and education; Punjab - the country; Amritsar; manuscripts; archaeology and geology; medicine; the death of Ranjit Singh.  The book includes a catalogue of pictures in the book, a glossary, and a bibliography.

17/2/2025

Sikh heritage in paintings

Title: Sikh heritage in paintings
Author surname(s): Singh Bains
Author forename(s): K
Publisher: Mrs Manjeet Bains
Pages: 144
ISBN: none
Publn date: not stated (original publication date: not stated)
Location: shelf 10.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: This book is a collection of annual calendars commissioned by the Punjab & Sind Bank, conveying aspects of Sikhi. "Colourful paintings of incidents, moods and deeds of the Gurus bring before us events in the lives of the Masters…I praise Punjab & Sind Bank for its offering of paintings of dramatic events, which tell us of pity for the agonised, the sick and the deprived."  The book describes the paintings in English, and at the back there is a corresponding translation in Punjabi and Hindi.

17/2/2025

New insights into Sikh art

Title: New insights into Sikh art
Author surname(s): Singh
Author forename(s): Kavita
Publisher: Marg Publications
Pages: 148
ISBN: 8185026602
Publn date: 2003(original publication date: 2003)
Location: shelf 10.5 SGSSS library
Language: English
Preface: yes
Overview: "The brief period of wealth and power enjoyed by the Sikh rulers allowed them to patronize courtly arts and large-scale architectural projects."  The book's origin is related to the "Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms" exhibition.  The book covers: a) the origin and development of Sikhism from Nanak; the text is matched with corresponding photographs.  b) architectural projects of the gurus c) manuscript illustrations d) wall paintings e) photos of Sikhs and Sikh identity.  The inside cover says: "A major contribution of this volume is its focus on sacred objects and sites which derived not from the art-activity of a royal court, but developed under the direction of the Gurus themselves, or through the collective patronage of a community looking to fulfil its sacred needs."

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