SRI GURU PANTH PRAKASH, popularly Panth Prakash, by Giani Gian Singh (1822-1921), is a history of the Sikhs in verse. As the title suggests, it is an account of the rise and development of the Guru Panth, i.e. the Khalsa or the Sikh community. The author, a theologian and preacher of Sikh religion belonging to the Nirmala sect, made his debut in the field of historiography in 1880 with the publication of this book which he wrote at the suggestion of his teacher, Pandit Tara Singh Narotam (1822-91). Its first (1880) edition was lithographed at Delhi with only 65 bisrams (chapters or sections), and 715 pages.
It covered the period of the Gurus, Banda Singh Bahadur and of the Sikh misls, that is the same as covered in an earlier (Prachin) Panth Prakash by Ratan Singh Bhangu. A revised and much enlarged second version, in two parts, (pages 1,418), was lithographed by Diwan Buta Singh at his Matba Aftab at Lahore in 1889. Owing to the differences he had had with the publisher, Giani Gian Singh laid a fresh edition lithographed in 1889 through Bhai Kaka Singh Sadhu at Matba` Chashmi Nur, Amritsar. This edition comprised 73 sections and a total of 960 pages, the first 533 being a copy, with minor alterations, of the Delhi edition.
The fourth edition of Sri Guru Panth Prakash, 115 sections and 1085 pages, was again published by Bhai Kaka Singh Sadhu in 1898, but this time typeset at Waziri Hind Press, Amritsar. Two reprints of the fourth edition were published by the Khalsa Tract Society. The Punjab Languages Department, Patiala, brought out a reprint in 1970. In the same year appeared a revised and richly annotated edition in five volumes prepared by Singh Sahib Giani Kirpal Singh, Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib (later Jathedar Sri Akal Takht), Amritsar. Scattered throughout the Panth Prakash are references at least to 23 different sources which the author consulted or made use of.
He especially mentions Ratan Singh Bhangu’s (Prachin) Panth Prakash, Bute Shah’s Twarikh-i-Punjab and Bhai Santokh Singh’s Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Other sources referred to include Gurbias Dasvin Patshahl, Bahsavalmama, Dabistan-i-Mazahib, and Siyar Ututakhariri. Sri Guru Panth Prakash covers a vast span of Sikh history from Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the faith, to the annexation of the Punjab by the British and death of Maharaja Duleep Singh. The last three chapters contain an account of some Sikh sects and cults—Udasis, Nirmalas, Nihangs, Kukas or Namdharis, Gulabdasias, Satkartarias, Niranjanias, Hiradasias and Gangushahisana, the author’s reflections on contemporary social situation, with some autobiographical details.
Giani Gian Singh was a devoutly religious scholar, but not a critical historian. His approach to history was traditional, and the impulse behind his historical writing (besides the Panth Prakash, he also wrote a voluminous history of the Sikhs in prose entitled Twarikh GuruKhalsa in five parts) was the projection of the glory of the Sikhs’ past. Some of the facts, dates and sequences of events in the Panth Prakash do not bear scientific scrutiny, yet the work enjoys much popularity and prestige. It is expounded formally in Sikh gurudwaras and has served to shape the historical imagination of Sikhs over the generations.
References:
- Bhagat Singh, Giani Gian Singh. Patiala, 1978
Historical Context and Authorship
Sri Guru Panth Prakash was originally compiled in the early 19th century by Rattan Singh Bhangu. As an epic chronicle, the work emerged at a time when Sikh historiography was undergoing a vigorous revival—a period marked by an effort to reclaim and assert the distinctiveness of Sikh tradition in the wake of political and social transformations. Bhangu’s account was not merely an exercise in recordkeeping; it was a deliberate attempt to craft a narrative that celebrated the valor of Sikh warriors, the spiritual teachings of the Gurus, and the collective resilience of the Sikh community.
Over time, the text has seen revisions and expansions. Later scholars, including figures such as Giani Gian Singh, built upon Bhangu’s foundation—infusing the narrative with richer annotations and additional sources. The work is written in a blend of classical Punjabi and Braj, a linguistic fusion that was common in early Sikh literature and that lends the text both an air of solemnity and poetic grace.
Structure and Literary Form
Sri Guru Panth Prakash is structured in a manner befitting its epic scope. The text is divided into sections that trace the history of the Sikh Panth from the time of Guru Nanak through the successive Gurus, and later through the martial age of the misls (confederacies) and the eventual establishment of Sikh authority in Punjab. Key features of its structure include:
Chronological Narrative:
The work begins with the foundational accounts of the Sikh Gurus, offering insights into their teachings, personalities, and the formative incidents that helped shape Sikh doctrine. It then shifts focus to the tumultuous period following Guru Gobind Singh’s era, chronicling the community’s struggles against Mughal and Afghan oppression. Through vivid depictions of battles, martyrdoms, and heroic exploits, it captures the transformation of Sikh existence from spiritual idealism into a warrior ethos.
Hagiographical Elements:
As with many traditional historical epics, the narrative is interlaced with hagiographical motifs. The lives of the Gurus and revered saints are idealized, and their teachings are presented not just as historical facts but as timeless sources of moral and spiritual guidance for the Sikh community.
Poetic and Rhetorical Flourishes:
Written in a classical style, the text employs a range of Indic poetic metres and rhetorical techniques. These literary devices serve to elevate the narrative, enhancing its capacity to inspire and instill a sense of collective pride among its readers.
Themes and Doctrinal Insights
At its core, Sri Guru Panth Prakash is more than a historical record—it is a comprehensive exploration of what it means to be Sikh. Some of its central themes include:
Heroism and Martial Valor:
The epic vividly recounts the exploits of Sikh warriors, emphasizing their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to justice. These accounts are not merely tales of battle; they are emblematic of the collective struggle to uphold the principles of equality, freedom, and mutual respect.
Spiritual Guidance and Guru Teachings:
Interwoven throughout the narrative are the spiritual teachings of the Sikh Gurus. The work elucidates how these teachings not only provided a moral compass in the face of adversity but also served as the cornerstone for the development of a distinct Sikh identity that transcends transient political power.
Community and Identity:
By documenting the unification of various Sikh misls and the formation of a cohesive Sikh polity, the text underscores the importance of community solidarity. It portrays the evolution of the Sikh Panth as a journey toward not only political autonomy but also spiritual and cultural renaissance.
Rejection of External Authority:
A recurrent theme in the epic is the repudiation of external influences—whether they be from Mughal, Afghan, or even later colonial forces—that sought to dilute or control the Sikh identity. This insistence on selfdetermination is presented as a sacred duty and a hallmark of Sikh resolve.
Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
The impact of Sri Guru Panth Prakash on Sikh historiography and identity cannot be overstated. For generations, it has functioned as the definitive narrative that informs not only academic studies but also the lived experience of the Sikh community. Its rich tapestry of historical events, spiritual insights, and literary artistry has helped shape the collective memory of the Sikhs, providing a source of inspiration and a call to preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage passed down through the Gurus.
