History of the Sikhs Vol. II: Evolution of Sikh Confederacies

by Hari Ram Gupta

History of the Sikhs is planned as a five-volume survey aiming to present a comprehensive view of the rise, growth and development of Sikh thought and action in every direction. This volume Evolution of Sikh Confederacies (1707-69), is second in the series. The whole series is based on original contemporary sources in Persian, Marathi, Gurumukhi, Urdu, Hindi, and English known to exist in India and abroad.

401 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Amarjeet Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

History of the Sikhs vol. ii is a meteoric improvement on its predecessor. Within it we witness Gupta's development as a historian. Relying on contemporary subcontinental sources, he portrays the rise of the Sikh Misls under the guidance of the legendary Nawab Kapur Singh.

There are failings in this volume as well but it should be realized that since Gupta's research more comprehensive information has come to light regarding the Khalsa Misls. So how, then, do we treat History of the Sikhs vol. ii? As a foundation stone for further research. It acts as an expanded repository of the Sikhs after Banda Singh and their assemblage into 12 self-governing sovereign entities under the direct Presidency of the Akal Takhat.

Gupta unearths rare information which explains Misl ascendancy. His narrative is simplistic and praiseworthy of the Sikhs. However the lack of textual analysis again lets him down and by default this volume.

[Ajay Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book par excellence.