Author: Harbans Singh
Editor: Harbans Singh
Publisher: Punjabi University
Year: 1995-2001
Language: English
Pages: 2269
ISBN/UPC (if available): 817380100/204/349/530
Description
The burgeoning of interest in the study of Sikhism brought to light the grave paucity of materials on Sikhism. This Encyclopedia covering topics as Sikh theology, philosophy, history, ethics, literature, art, ceremonies, customs, personalities, shrines, sects. Etc. aims to fill the gap.
Preparation of an encyclopedia is a highly specialized and time-consuming process requiring immense patience along with assiduous inductor. The first volume was published in December 1992, the second in January1996, third in April 1997; and the final in November 1998.
Punjabi University is happy that it has produced a great work answering to a great need. Sikhs and Sikhism having attracted closer notice of learned people all over the globe, besides the Sikh diasporas itself, during the twentieth century, a worldwide interest had arisen in the study of this youngest of the great world religions. A comprehensive reference book like the present Encyclopedia had become an urgent necessity for readers of English, curious as well as genuinely interested..
Professor Harbans Singh has labored diligently and created a work of high literary and scholarly worth. He has devoted all his energies over the past several years to this work of which he was the inspiration and to which his name will remain inseparably attached. It is not easy to restate and repack the entire range of information and knowledge of a people. An attempt has been made here precisely to define the ideas and terms of Sikhism. The writing is direct, terse and tight and the aim throughout has been intelligibility and thoroughness.
The volumes will provide the background and facts necessary for comprehending Sikh thought and symbolism. It should be useful both for the expert and the general reader.