Author: Madanjit Kaur
Publisher: Guru Nanak Dev University
Year: 2013
Language: English
Pages: 444
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788177701463
Description
Harimandir, which is also reverentially called Darbar Sahib and Golden Temple is the nerve center of Sikh community. The history of the Harimandir is in fact the history of the community and its faith. Foundation of Harimandir has been the greatest hallmark in the development of the Sikh movement. Sikhs were divinely bestowed with a place of pilgrimage. Concept of the Guru was added to by the concept of Gurdwara.
Gurbani, Gursikh, Guru Panth and Gurmata completed the structure in such a way that objective of a complete individual-the one having saintly and soldiering qualities alike-seemed to become a reality. Golden Temple became a source of spiritual vitality for the Sikhs. It became an eyesore for the oppressive rulers as the cradle of valour created the ethos of martyrdom. Guru Arjan himself became the first martyr. This converted the pacifist community into the sterling warriors who created an unparelleled history.
The Golden Temple Past and Present published in 1983 by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar was the first, but not the last serious attempt for recording the History of the Harimandir Sahib. The book was welcomed by the readers and researchers. On account of its great demand from India and abroad the authorities of Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar decided to publish a second edition of the Golden Temple Past and Present.
The Harimandir Sahib now called Golden Temple is not only a living symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs, it is a World Heritage Site. The present edition is a dispassionate analysis of the History of the Golden Temple. It tells the glorious story of the Harimandir Sahib while defining its place in the development of the history of the Punjab and the issues related to the central shrine of the Sikhs.
Contents
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
INTRODUCTION
KEY TO TRANSLITERATION
The Foundation
History-Harimandir under the Gurus (AD 1604-1651)
Golden Temple Under the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee
Management and the Staff Personnel
Ceremonial Practices and Celebrations
Art and Architecture
Ancillary Shrines and the Bungas
APPENDICES
Fascimile of the Document Ain-I-Darbar
Inscriptions
Bhai Mani Singh
A copy of the Dastur-ul-Amal
List of the Granthis
Fascimile of the Bakhshishnama issued to Bhai Boora and its Text
Some famous Rababis, Ragis and Kirtanias of the Golden Temple
The Giani Lineage
Time Table
Harimandir Sahib in Punjabi Literature
The Sikh Archives-Their loss and need for Reorganisation
List of Jathedars of Sri Akal Takht
BIBLIOGRAPHY
GLOSSARY
INDEX