An outline of Sikh architectureby S.S. BhattiSo little has been written about Sikh architecture that it is difficult for anyone to believe that such a style of architecture exists at all. It is ironic that whereas the Sikhs are known the world over for their characteristic vigor, valor, versatility, above

HARIMANDAR (lit. the House of God; hari = Visnu, or God; mandar = temple, house), Golden Temple to the English speaking world, is the Sikhs` most famous sacred shrine. Also called Sri Darbar Sahib (the Exalted Holy Court), it lies in the heart of the city of

HARKISHAN DAS, a purohit or family priest of Maharaja Dulcep Singh, who in 1883 went on a visit to the Maharaja in England and stayed there as his guest for nearly two years. When he returned to India in 1885, he brought with him offerings from the Maharaja for

JAIMAL SINGH BHURFVALE, SANT (d. 1976), known for his austere living and dedication to send or holy service, was the son of Bhai Sher Singh, a shopkeeper of Chakval, a lahsil town in Jchlum district of the Punjab, now in Pakistan. Born in theearly years of the twentieth century, Jaimal

JODH SINGH (1798-1864), son of Deva Singh whose ancestral village was Rariala in Gujrariwala district. Jodh Singh, who came into the jdgir of Rariala, rose to prominence in the kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. From 1813 to 1825 he served with the Ghorcharas (special cavalry) of SardarJodh Singh Sowariarivala.

JODH SINGH RAMGARHIA (d. 1815), soldier and feudatory chief in Sikh times, was the eldest son of Jassa Singh, the celebrated Ramgarhia Sardar. Ranjil Singh bound himself in a pledge of friendship with Jodh Singh Ramgarhia before the Guru Granth Sahib at Darbar Sahib, Amrilsar. The Maharaja had great

JAGANNATHA Jagannatha (The Lord of the •world), Madhva, who is the life of the world, the Remover of Fear, remember Him in the heart. (Ramkali M. 5, p. 897) Jagannatha (The Lord of the world has created all beings; He hath Perforated the noses of all and hath stitched

KEDARA Ganga, Yamuna, Vrindavana and Kedara, Kasi, Mathura, Dwarka Puri, Sangam and Stxty-eight pilgrim-stations—all these places are there within Thy Form. (Maru M. l, p. 1022) .....Shiva in the form of a buffalo established Kedara. (Malar M. 4, p. 1263) There are twelve great Lingas (Phallus) of Shiva and

MAKKHAN SINGH, BHAI (d. 1863) was a granthi or officiant of the Darbar Sahib at Amritsar. When the British entered Lahore after the first Anglo-Sikh war in 1846, some of them, while visiting the holy shrine, would desecrate the precincts by entering with shoes on and otherwise annoy the

PARDUMAN SINGH GIANI, BHAI (d. 1877), principal granthi or priest and manager of Sri Darbar Sahib at Amritsar, was the eldest of the four sons of Bhai Gurmukh Singh Giani (d. 1843), a man of learning and an influential courtier in Sikh times. He was the grandson of the

PIPA, one of whose hymns is incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib, was a prince who renounced his throne in search of spiritual solace. He was born at Gagaraun, in present day Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, about AD 1425. He was a devotee of the goddess Bhavani whose idol

SAUNDHA SINGH, famous as Kavi (kavi= poet) Saundha, was born around 1750 at the village of Kale, in Amritsar district of the Punjab. He studied Hindi, Rekhta and Persian, as also music, under Gur Sahai Kundra of Thatti Nagar, near Chunian, in Lahore district. He launched upon his literary