Author: Bhagat Lakshman Singh
Translator(s)/ Edito: Prithipal Singh Kapur
Publisher: Singh Brothers
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 197
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8172053827
Description
The word ‘martyr’ originally found in Semitic Terminology is essentially used for a person who voluntarily suffers death rather than denies his/her religion.
In ancient Judaism, martyrdom was a collective ideal. Roman Catholicism looks at the ordeal of martyrdom as a test of faith – it is asserted that martyrs need not perform miracles to be canonized as such. Islam has a typical concept of martyrdom wherein martyrs are thought to comprise of two groups of the faithful. Those killed in a religious war called Jehad and those killed unjustly are eligible to be called martyrs and get entitled to pardon for their sins.
In ancient Indian religious systems, we do not find a similar term. However in Buddhism, a bodhistav is regarded a martyr because he voluntarily postpones his enlightenment to alleviate the sufferings of others. In the Hindu texts the mention of the act of offering animal/human sacrifice can be considered closest to the concept of a martyr in the Semitic terminology.
All in all, martyrdom is essentially a faith-oriented concept wherein the idea of suffering for the religious belief is deeply embedded.
Contents
Editorial Introduction -
The Sikh Martyrology
Introduction
Guru Arjan Dev
Guru Tegh Bahadur
Bhais Mati Das and
Dayal Chand
Princes Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh and
Bhai Sant Singh
Princes Zorawar Singh and
Fateh Singh
The Forty Immortals
Guru Govind Singh
Banda Singh Bahadur
The Carrier of the Haidari Flag
Bhai Tara Singh
Bhai Mani Singh
Bhai Bota Singh
Sardars Mahtab Singh and
Sukha Singh
Haqiqat Rai the Virtuous
Bhai Taru Singh
Sardars Subeg Singh and
Shahbaz singh
The First Holocaust:
A Whole People Sacrificed
Turanian Atrocities
The Abdali Exhausts himself
Baba Dip Singh
Baba Gurbaksh Singh
A Peep into the History of Kasur
The Great Holocaust:
Harimandar Demolished
The Revenge
Baba Ram Singh Bedi
Death of Shahnchi:
The Afghans Depart
Aurangzeb and His Successor:
A Study
The Khalsa Emerges Triumphant
Guru Govind Singh’s Cosmopolitan Ideal
Index