Though the history of Sikh-Muslim relations is fraught with conflict, this book examines how the policies of Sikh rulers attempted to avoid religious bigotry and prejudice at a time when Muslims were treated as third-class citizens. Focusing on the socio-economic, political and religious condition of Muslims under Sikh rule in the Punjab during the 19th century, this book demonstrates that Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his successors took a secular approach towards their subjects. Using various archival sources, including the Fakir Khana Family archives and the Punjab Archives, the author argues citizens had freedom to practice their religion, with equal access to employment, education and justice.

The International Bibliography of Sikh Studies brings together all books, composite works, journal articles, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, project reports, and electronic resources produced in the field of Sikh Studies until June 2004, making it the most complete and up-to-date reference work in the field today. One of the youngest religions of the world, Sikhism has progressively attracted attention on a global scale in recent decades. An increasing number of scholars is exploring the culture, history, politics, and religion of the Sikhs. The growing interest in Sikh Studies has resulted in an avalanche of literature, which is now for the first time brought together in the International Bibliography of Sikh Studies. This monumental work lists over 10,000 English-language publications under almost 30 subheadings, each representing a subfield in Sikh Studies. The Bibliography contains sections on a wide variety of subjects, such as Sikh gurus, Sikh philosophy, Sikh politics and Sikh religion. Furthermore, the encyclopedia presents an annotated survey of all major scholarly work on Sikhism, and a selective listing of electronic and web-based resources in the field. Author and subject indices are appended for the reader’s convenience.

A Brief History of the Sikhs attempts to highlight that the inhabitants of Punjab have been free spirited, accommodating and companionate towards the peaceful settlers. But they were not accommodating towards the invaders from the north west. They accepted the new ideas like Sufism and the Bhakti movements with open arms. Out of the synthesis of the two, Sikhism was born. The Sikhs carried on their free spirited approach towards the Punjabi nationalism and onwards to uncompromising nationalist approach for the independence of India from the British slavery in 1947. Unlike other communities, the Punjabis fought against a common enemy not among themselves. The Punjabis have been hard working, honest, peace loving and pushing, irrespective of their ethnicity. The Muslims, Hindus and the Sikhs stood for the Punjabiat. That is what the, A Brief History of the Sikhs stands for.