The Sikh Gurus had a unique place amongst the spiritual leaders, precepters, reformers and saints of India. Their teachings have universal appeal and hold good in all the ages and at all times. The impact of their teachings cannot he easily fathomed. Spiritually and ethically they have influenced the life, thinking and conduct of millions.

Attempts to thread together the relevant information considered necessary to understand the importance of shrines for the followers of a great religion, Sikhism. This book helps in keeping the spirit of Sikhism alive in the minds and psyche of the Sikh population even today. Historical Gurdwaras of Delhi is the result of an in-depth research study that brings to the fore the importance of these shrines and their compelling historical and socio-cultural background. These Gurdwaras, many of which according to Sikh chronicles are consecrated by the Gurus' visits,

The Sikh Heritage: Beyond Borders dedicates one chapter each to the 84 sites that it documents, transporting readers to the past by narrating the detailed history of each marvel that the author and his team photographed throughout Pakistan. This book is the culmination of decade-long fieldwork of finding and exploring the heritage sites, alongside analyzing multiple Janamsakhis (hagiography accounts). The author's process of doing extensive analysis and cross-referencing with other sources enables readers to comprehend Sikh history, by posing inquiries, applying critical thinking, and investigating hundreds of sources. He includes a multitude of primary sources and Gurmukhi inscriptions, translated into English, to increase local and international heritage-lovers' under­standing of these sites and to help preserve their beauty and histories through his writing.

Contrary to popular opinion, there is more to Sikhism than the distinctive dress. First of all, there is the emergence of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and the long line of his successors. There are the precepts, many related to liberation through the divine name or nam. There is a particularly turbulent history in which the Sikhs have fought to affirm their beliefs and resist external domination that continues to this day. There is also, more recently, the dispersion from the Punjab throughout the rest of India and on to Europe and the Americas. With this emigration Sikhism has become considerably less exotic, but hardly better known to outsiders. This reference is an excellent place to learn more about the religion. It provides a chronology of events, a brief introduction that gives a general overview of the religion, and a dictionary with several hundred entries, which present the gurus and other leaders, trace the rather complex history, expound some of the precepts and concepts, describe many of the rites and rituals, and explain the meaning of numerous related expressions. All this, along with a bibliography, provides readers with an informative and accessible guide toward understanding Sikhism.