Sikhism

Sikhism's short but relatively eventful history provides a fascinating insight into the working of misunderstood and seemingly contradictory themes such as politics and religion, violence and mysticism, culture and spirituality, orality and textuality, tradition and modernity. Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexedwill present students with a careful analysis of these complex themes as they have manifested themselves: in the historical evolution of the Sikh traditions and the encounter of Sikhs with modernity and the West; in the philosophical teachings of its founders and their interpretation by Sikh exegetes; and in Sikh ethical and intellectual responses to contemporary issues in an increasingly secular and pluralistic world. Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed serves as an ideal guide to Sikhism, and also for students of Asian studies, Sociology of Religion and World Religions.

Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair is the S.B.S.C. Chair in Sikh Studies at the University of Michigan, USA.

Acknowledgements \ Introduction \ Part I: Evolution of the Sikh Tradition \ 1. Guru Nanak and His Early Successors \ 2. Martyrdom and Militancy: Rise of the Khalsa \ 3. Modernity and Colonialism \ Part II: Teachings and Practices \ 4. Way of Life \ 5. Sikh Philosophy \ Part III: Pluralism & its Challenges \ 6. Sikh Ethics \ 7. Sikhs and the Public Sphere \ Glossary of Punjabi Terms \ Notes \ Index