When Sparrows Became Hawks: The Making of the Sikh Warrior Tradition, 1699-1799

by Purnima Dhavan

Challenging the commonly accepted belief that the distinctive rituals, ceremonies, and cultural practices associated with the Khalsa were formed during the lifetime of the Tenth and last Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, Purnima Dhavan reveals how such markers of Khalsa identity evolved slowly over the course of the eighteenth century. By focusing on the long-overlooked experiences of peasant communities, she traces the multiple perspectives and debates that eventually coalesced to create a composite Khalsa culture by 1799.

When Sparrows Became Hawks incorporates and analyzes Sikh normative religious literature created during this period by reading it in the larger context of sources such as news reports, court histories, and other primary sources that show how actual practices were shaped in response to religious reforms. Recovering the agency of the peasants who dominated this community, Dhavan demonstrates how a dynamic process of debates, collaboration, and conflict among Sikh peasants, scholars, and chiefs transformed Sikh practices and shaped a new martial community.

Genres: History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2011

About the author

Purnima Dhavan is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Washington, Seattle. Her primary focus is the social and cultural history of Early Modern South Asia.

Reviews

[Kavya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have visited the hill stations mentioned that provided refuge for the persecuted men under Mughal targeting, yet I did not know the status of Anandpur in the history of the Sikh community. For people familiar with modern Indian history, this book provides a very good "backtrack" insight into the prelude that led to Punjab's 20th century drama, reorganization and redemption. Given the intense in-fighting among different Sikh groups that happens transnationally, the author seems to have shown no qualms in her writing. She bravely discussed many issues plaguing the community, particularly from the time of the panth's 6th Guru up to the 20th century. Specifically, internal tensions and rivalry hastened the formation of a lineage that was not originally in place during the birth of Sikhism. The investigation into the formation of the Khalsa is very refreshing and I have never read a more analytical account. The author pointed to the differentiation though their relation to brahmanical rituals-- non-Khalsa Sikhs underwent ritual head shaving like other Hindus when relatives died, while Khalsa Sikhs insisted on leaving the hair growing. There are parts of the book's reality of this now border-region is truly too disturbing--especially since the brutal assassination of Congress Party member and famed Sikh artist Sidhu Moosewala that happened this past year-- so the reader is suggested to take breaks in between reading this book.