GURMAT PRACHARAK LARI (series of books to propagate the Sikh way of life) was founded in 1919 at Rawalpindi by Giani Sher Singh, an adept in traditional Sikh learning and an influential political leader. In this series, Giani Sher Singh planned to publish one book every month in Punjabi and one book every quarter in Urdu on Sikh history and theology or presenting in simple translation portions of the gurbani. The first book in this category was Giani Sher Singh`s own Guru Granth ie Panth, published in December 1919.
To ensure regularity in publication, Giani Sher Singh acquired a printing press and appointed for its management Bhai Nanak Singh, who later rose to fame as a Punjabi novelist. For more efficient functioning, he shifted the headquarters from Rawalpindi to Lahore, but work for the Gurmat Pracharak Lari could not be sustained for more than a few months. Soon after the launching of the series, the Gurdwara Reform movement started and Giani Sher Singh drifted into active politics.
Besides Gum Granth te Panth, other books issued in the series were Dharam Darpan, in three parts; an exposition of Asa di Var; Khande di Daar, a biography of Guru Hargobind; Deg Teg da Maa
lak, a biography of Guru Gobind Singh; and Nitnem Satik, exposition of the barns that every Sikh is enjoined to recite daily, namely Japu, Jap Sahib, Savaiye, Chaupai, Anand Sahib, Rahrasi and Kirtan Sohila.
Gurmat Pracharak Lari Books—a pioneering series that sought to illuminate Sikh history, theology, and practice at a time when the community was rapidly evolving in response to both internal reform and external colonial challenges.
Origins and Vision
Launched in 1919 by Giani Sher Singh in Rawalpindi, the Gurmat Pracharak Lari series was conceived as a bold effort to propagate the Sikh way of life. Giani Sher Singh, an adept in traditional Sikh teachings and an influential political leader, envisioned a regular publication schedule: a monthly book in Punjabi (using the Gurmukhi script) and a quarterly edition in Urdu. This bilingual approach reflected the linguistic diversity of Punjab during that period and underscored a commitment to reach a broad audience across cultural and educational lines .
The inaugural publication in this series was Giani Sher Singh’s own work—Guru Granth (Panth)—released in December 1919. In order to guarantee a steady flow of literature, he even acquired a printing press and entrusted its management to Bhai Nanak Singh, who would later gain fame as a notable Punjabi novelist. This decisive move not only ensured the regularity of the series but also marked the integration of modern print technology into the spread of Sikh knowledge.
Content and Contributions
Despite its relatively brief lifespan—owing largely to the onset of the Gurdwara Reform movement and Giani Sher Singh’s increasing involvement in political activism—the series made remarkable contributions to Sikh literature. It comprised a variety of works that delved into different facets of Sikh thought:
Guru Granth (Panth): The first book in the series, which set the intellectual tone by offering a clear exposition of the eternal Guru—the Guru Granth Sahib—and its central role in Sikh life.
Dharam Darpan: A multipart exposition that provided insights into Sikh theology, including an indepth look at the Asa di Var (the morning hymn).
Khande di Dhar: A biographical account of Guru Hargobind that not only chronicled his life but also highlighted his role in establishing the martial spirit within Sikhism.
Deg Teg da Malak: A narrative focusing on Guru Gobind Singh, illuminating the legacy of the Guru’s leadership and his contributions to Sikh philosophy.
Nitnem Satik: An exposition on the daily recitations and spiritual practices prescribed for Sikhs, which continues to be of vital significance in contemporary Sikh ritual life.
Each of these texts was carefully crafted to function as both a historical account and a theological guide, making complex doctrines accessible to the lay reader while preserving the rich symbolic and ritualistic layers of Sikh tradition .
Impact and Legacy
Cultural and Educational Influence
The Gurmat Pracharak Lari Books were not merely print publications—they were a cultural milestone. At a time when the Sikh community was seeking to reclaim and assert its identity under colonial rule, these books served as vital tools for education and introspection. They helped standardize the interpretation of Sikh doctrines, provided a unified narrative on Sikh history, and reinforced the sanctity of the Sikh way of life amid sociopolitical turbulence.
Bridging Past and Present
By meticulously documenting histories and theologies that date back centuries, the series created a bridge between the ancient traditions of the Sikh Gurus and the modern challenges faced by the community. Although the series struggled to maintain its momentum due to shifting priorities in the political sphere, its early contributions have left an indelible mark on Sikh literary scholarship. Today, scholars and enthusiasts of Sikh history continue to reference these works as foundational texts that shaped the discourse on Sikh identity and practice.
