Back in time

It took Sikh historian Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer 12 years, including umpteen visits to the National Archives of India in New Delhi and the India Office Records housed in the British Library, London to put together his biggest project ever. Dilgeer, who is often regarded as an institution in Sikh history and credited with over 50 titles in Sikh studies, is the former director of Sikh History Research Board with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and is currently working on a ten-volume book project on Sikh history.

The first two volumes were released on Tuesday at a well-attended function held in the city. “I have previously published Sikh History in Punjabi in five volumes. The English volumes have more documentation and pictorials like coloured photographs, maps and copies of original documents,” says Dr Dilgeer, currently the international director of Guru Nanak Institute of Sikh Studies and president, World Sikh Writers Conference. While the first volume covers the Guru period up to 1708, it also presents a survey of the previous 3,000 years of ancient Punjab and its political, geographical and religious scenario. “It was quite a task researching not just existing work by historians but as many as 10 billion files housed in The British Library’s Commonwealth Records section,” says the writer who researched around 2,000 books. “I have rejected mysticism as a factor associated with the Gurus and given a logical perceptive,” he explains.

Full report here Indian Express

Amarinder’s ‘The Last Sunset’ to release in London

‘The Last Sunset: The Rise & Fall of the Lahore Durbar’ penned by former Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh is scheduled for global launch in London next month while its Punjabi avatar — Aakhri  Lamhean di Daastaan: Lahore Durbar di Chadhat te Pattan-early next month.

Sources said here Thursday that Roli Books- the publisher of English version- has fixed September 18-19 for its release globally. Publishers of the book, ‘Roli Books’ is in the process of fixing up with the author for launch function, sources said.

The Punjabi version of the book is ready and printed by Lahore Book Depot, Ludhaina and would likely to be release in Patiala, sources said.

Sources added that since Patiala was the home town of Amarinder Singh and he was very keen to release it in Punjabi University, the university established in the name of Punjabi language.  The date & venue to release has not yet finalized.

Full report here Punjab Newsline

Former Punjab CM writes book on Sikh history

Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's book on Sikh history 'The Last Sunset: The Rise and Fall of the Lahore Durbar' is scheduled for global launch in London next month.

Roli Books, the publisher of English version of the book, has fixed September 18-19 for its global release.

The Punjabi version -- 'Aakhri Lamhean di Daastaan: Lahore Durbar di Chadhat te Pattan' -- is likely to be released in Patiala shortly, sources said.

The book is based on the history of the Sikh empire and its legendary ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Full report here Outlook