The Sikh Separatism in Historical Perspective

Abstract

In an attempt to put Sikh separatism in historical perspective, the article gives a detailed background of the origin and development of the Sikh religion, the formation of the Sikh kingdom by Ranjit Singh, and how after Ranjit Singh’s death that kingdom was annexed by the British. The article also shows how separatist tendencies among Sikhs in the Punjab began from 1909 and how this tendency was manifested in the freedom movement in India. In the end the subject of Pakistani Sikh community and the maintenance of its religious places by the government of Pakistan is also touched upon. –––––––––