Historical Dictionary of Sikhism (Volume 59) (Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series, 59) - Hardcover

McLeod, W. H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810850885 ISBN 13: 9780810850880

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2005

Synopsis

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 expanded and updated second edition of the dictionary 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 copious bibliography, provides readers with an informative and accessible guide toward understanding Sikhism.

About this title

About the Author

William Hewat McLeod is one of the foremost authorities on Sikhism, having taught in the Punjab in the 1950s and since then having studied and written extensively on Sikhism. Throughout his career the author has concentrated his research exclusively on the history and religion of the Sikhs. He is the author of numerous articles and several books, including The Sikhs: History, Religion, and Society. The author teaches at the University of Otago in Denedin, New Zealand.

Review

McLeod first published his Historical Dictionary of Sikhism in 1995. This book is a revised, much expanded second edition. It is small enough to be non-intimidating, with an inviting, user-friendly style that a wide range of readers will find appealing....a very valuable book that will be of undeniable appeal to a broad audience. It is strongly recommended as an addition to Gurdwara, academic and public library collections. Its style is terse, but very readable, as befits a work of this genre. Its wealth of useful facts and cross-references will undoubtedly serve as a springboard to motivate the reader towards more in-depth exploration and research....This book by Hew McLeod is a worthy addition to this excellent series by the Scarecrow Press. (The Sikh Review)

Compared to Cole and Sambhi's Popular Dictionary of Sikhism (see ARBA 91, entry 1452), this dictionary is a more through reference work. Cole and Sambhi's dictionary does not contain a bibliography nor does it provide as many cross-references. (American Reference Books Annual)

...offers an authoritative reference work on the Sikh religion, history and people....a comprehensive and concise reference work in one volume. (Reference Reviews, Vol. 20 No. 5, 2006)

They were once mysterious denizens of the Punjab, famous for their fighting prowess and their deep secrecy. Now, after their dispersion into India, the UK and the US, Sikhs have transcended some of the mystery but have remained the Other in their diaspora. McLeod, a leading scholar of the Sikh religion and social system, begins with maps, a chronology and an introduction to the contexts of Sikhism, and then provides a comprehensive dictionary of several hundred entries describing the essence of Sikh life, belief and thought, tracing the long history of the Sikhs, their political and religious leaders, and the people inside and outside their faith they consider important. McLeod has updated this edition to include recent developments in the Punjab and elsewhere.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0810850885
• ISBN 13: 9780810850880
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 328