The Birth of the Khalsa: A Feminist Re-memory of Sikh Identity - Hardcover

Singh, Nikky-Guninder Kaur

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0791465837 ISBN 13: 9780791465837

Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr, 2005

Synopsis

A feminist reconsideration of Sikh identity, discussing its original egalitarianism and current hypermasculine quality, which is harmful to both men and women.

Sikhs trace the genesis of their religious rites, prayers, dress codes, and names to Guru Gobind Singh’s creation of the Khalsa in 1699. The Birth of the Khalsa is the first work to explore this pivotal event in Sikh history from a feminist perspective, questioning the ways in which Sikh memories have constructed a hypermasculine Sikh identity. The book argues that Sikh memory needs to acknowledge the vital female dimension grounded in the universal human condition and present at the birth of the Khalsa.

Inspired by her own father, the eminent Sikh scholar Harbans Singh, Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh rediscovers the feminine side of the words and actions of the founders of Sikhism. She looks at the basic texts and tenets of Sikh religion and demonstrates the female aspect in the sacred text, daily prayers, dress code, and rituals of the Sikhs. Singh reminds us that Guru Gobind Singh’s original vision was an egalitarian one and urges present-day Sikhs to live up to the liberating implications set in motion when he gave birth to the Khalsa.

About this title

About the Author

In the Department of Religious Studies at Colby College, Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh is Chair and Crawford Family Professor of Religious Studies. She is the author of several books, including The Feminine Principle in the Sikh Vision of the Transcendent.

Review

"This is a unique work: the author's conclusions are fresh, and clearly challenge former interpretations of these events."

About this edition

• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0791465837
• ISBN 13: 9780791465837
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224