Author: Joseph Davey Cunningham
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 472
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171677649
Description
First published in 1849, this work traces the birth and rise of Sikhism, and records Punjab's history in the context of the geo-political situation prevailing during the crucial period in the nineteenth century.
In the History of the Sikhs, the author not only provides fascinating details about the Sikhs but also displays his penchant for minute observations on subjects as varied as the saffron and shawls of Cashmeer (Kashmir) to the Dogras and Kunnets of the Himalayas. The book traces the birth and rise of Sikhism, and records Punjab's history in the context of the geo-political situation prevailing during the crucial period in the ninete3enth century. Of equal interest are the footnotes, notes and the appendices that provide details of the historic treaties as well as translations of the wonderful poetic renderings of the Sikh Gurus.
COMMENT:
I consider it an inspired idea to republish this book which first appeared 153 years ago. Especially as it is no ordinary book. Written by an exceptional person of deep convictions and the courage to express them, the author "fell a victim to the truth related in". He had to pay a heavy price for his integrity.
Obviously, men who wanted to keep under wraps the deceitful tactics Britain adopted in the First Anglo-Sikh War, were outraged by Cunningham's revelations His punishment for telling the truth in this book, was to be removed from po9litical office and returned to his regiment in disgrace.
Patwant Singh in his Foreword to the Book
Contents
CHAPTER I
The Country and People
CHAPTER II
Old Indian Creeds -- modern Reforms and the Teaching of Nanuk up to A.D. 1529
CHAPTER III
The Sikh Gooroos or Teachers, and the Modification of Sikhism under Govind A.D. 1529-1716
CHAPTER IV
The Establishment of Sikh Independence A.D. 1716-1764
CHAPTER V
From the Independence of the Sikhs to the Ascendancy of Runjeet Singh and the Alliance with the English 1765-1808-9
CHAPTER VI
From the Supremacy of Runjeet Singh to the Reduction of Mooltan, Cashmeer, and Peshawur 1809-1823-24
CHAPTER VII
From the Acquisition of Mooltan, Cashmeer, and Peshawur to the Death of Runjeet Singh 1824-1839
CHAPTER VIII
From the Death of Muharaja Runjeet Singh to the Death of Vuzeer Jowahir singh 1839-1845
CHAPTER IX
The War with the English 1845-46
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
The Juts and Jats of Upper India
APPENDIX II
Proportions of Races and Faiths: Population of India
APPENDIX III
The Kshutrees and Uroras of the Punjab
APPENDIX IV
Caste in India
APPENDIX V
The Philosophical Systems of The Indians
APPENDIX VI
On the Maya of the Indians
APPENDIX VII
The Metaphysics of Indian Reformers
APPENDIX VIII
Nanuk's Philosophical Allusions Popular or Moral rather than Scientific
APPENDIX IX
The Terms Raj and Jog, Deg and Tegh
APPENDIX X
Caste among the Sikhs
APPENDIX XI
Rites of Initiation into Sikhism
APPENDIX XII
The exclamation Wah Gooroo and the expression Deg, Tegh, Futteh
APPENDIX XIII
The Sikh Devotion to Steel, and the Term "Sutcha Padshah"
APPENDIX XIV
Distinctive Usages of the Sikhs
APPENDIX XV
On the Use of Arabic and Sanscrit for the purposes of Education in India
APPENDIX XVI
On the Land-Tax in India
APPENDIX XVII
The Adee Grunt’h or First Book: or, the Book of Nanuk, the First Gooroo or Teacher of the Sikhs
APPENDIX XVIII
The Duswen Padshah Ka Grunt’h, or, Book of the Tenth King or Sovereign pontiff, i.e. of Gooroo Govind Singh
APPENDIX XIX
Some Principles of Belief and Practice, as exemplified in the writings of the Sikh Gooroos or Teachers; with an Addendum showing the modes in which the Mission of Nanuk and Govind are represented or regarded by the Sikhs.
APPENDUM
Bhaee Goordas Bhulleh’s mode of representing the Mission of Nanuk
Gooroo Govind’s mode of representing his own Mission
Extract from the Twenty-four Owtars and the Mehdee Meer of Govind’s Grunt’h
APPENDIX XX
The Admonitory Letters of Nanuk to the fabulous Monarch Karon, and the Prescriptive Letters of Govind for the guidance of the Sikhs
APPENDIX XXI
A List of Sikh Sects, or Orders, or Denominations
APPENDIX XXII
A genealogical Table of the Sikh Gooroos or Teachers
APPENDIX XXIII
The Treaty with Lahore of 1806
APPENDIX XXIV
Sir David Ochterloney’s Proclamation of 1809
APPENDIX XXV
The Treaty with Lahore of 1809
APPENDIX XXVI
Proclamation of Protection to Cis Sutlej States against Lahore, dated 1809
APPENDIX XXVII
Proclamation of Protection to Cis Sutlej States against one another, dated 1811
CHAPTER XXVIII
Indus Navigation Treaty of 1832
APPENDIX XXIX
Supplementary Indus Navigation Treaty of 1834
APPENDIX XXX
The Tripartite Treaty with Runjeet Singh and Shah Shooja of 1838
APPENDIX XXXI
Indus and Sutlej Toll Agreement of 1839
APPENDIX XXXII
Indus and Sutlej Toll Agreement of 1840
APPENDIX XXXIII
Declaration of War of 1845
APPENDIX XXXIV
First Treaty with Lahore of 1846
APPENDIX XXXV
Supplementary Articles to first Treaty with Lahore of 1846
APPENDIX XXXVI
Treaty with Golab Singh of 1846
APPENDIX XXXVII
Second Treaty with Lahore of 1846
APPENDIX XXXVIII
Revenues of the Punjab in 1844
APPENDIX XXXIX
The Army of Lahore in 1844
APPENDIX XL
Genealogical Tree: Lahore Family
APPENDIX XLI
Genealogical Tree: Jummoo Family