The Sikh Heritage: Beyond Borders by Dr. Dalvir Singh Pannu is a wonderfully illustrated book detailing the narratives associated with historic buildings and religious shrines left in West Punjab following the partition of India in 1947.

In addition to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Dr. Pannu’s book provides comprehensive details of an additional eighty-two sites.  This volume of work presents his publication as an encyclopedia-style guide for readers - exploring the Gurdwaras and places in less well-known districts of Sheikupura, Sialkot, and Kasur, in addition to Nankana Sahib and Lahore.

The narrative for each site details multiple Janamsakhis (biographies), translating Gurmukhi inscriptions, and cross-referencing events through the centuries to provide the stories of each place to an international audience.  Each location is presented as a chapter, with the narrative including translation of Janamsakhi’s and inscriptions found in Gurmukhi (script of the Panjabi language), accompanied by high-quality photographs and also interestingly, the geographical latitude and longitude references for each site.  For a country that has not been accessible for Sikhs for so long, the map reference points provided allow enquirers to access and explore the sites and nearby areas through technology – Google World View, etc.

The index at the end of the book has an almost equal number of Muslim names as those that are Sikh, highlighting the depth of research conducted by Dr Pannu working to connect the linkages that both the Sikh and Muslim communities have with each of the individual sites.

In all, an absorbing, well-presented publication reflecting multiple visits and fieldwork over many years, researching across different communities to produce a publication that provides a comprehensive insight into Sikh history and heritage through the sites in West Punjab, Pakistan.

Rav Singh

The Sikh Heritage: Beyond Borders by Dr. Dalvir Singh Pannu is a wonderfully illustrated book detailing the narratives associated with historic buildings and religious shrines left in West Punjab following the partition of India in 1947.

In addition to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Dr. Pannu’s book provides comprehensive details of an additional eighty-two sites.  This volume of work presents his publication as an encyclopedia-style guide for readers - exploring the Gurdwaras and places in less well-known districts of Sheikupura, Sialkot, and Kasur, in addition to Nankana Sahib and Lahore.

The narrative for each site details multiple Janamsakhis (biographies), translating Gurmukhi inscriptions, and cross-referencing events through the centuries to provide the stories of each place to an international audience.  Each location is presented as a chapter, with the narrative including translation of Janamsakhi’s and inscriptions found in Gurmukhi (script of the Panjabi language), accompanied by high-quality photographs and also interestingly, the geographical latitude and longitude references for each site.  For a country that has not been accessible for Sikhs for so long, the map reference points provided allow enquirers to access and explore the sites and nearby areas through technology – Google World View, etc.

The index at the end of the book has an almost equal number of Muslim names as those that are Sikh, highlighting the depth of research conducted by Dr Pannu working to connect the linkages that both the Sikh and Muslim communities have with each of the individual sites.

In all, an absorbing, well-presented publication reflecting multiple visits and fieldwork over many years, researching across different communities to produce a publication that provides a comprehensive insight into Sikh history and heritage through the sites in West Punjab, Pakistan.

Rav Singh