TWARIKH GURU KHALSA, a voluminous prose narrative delineating the history of the Sikhs from their origin to the time when they lost the Punjab to the British. The author, Giani Gian Singh (1822-1921), claimed descent from the brother of Bhai Mani Singh, the martyr, who was a contemporary of Guru Gobind Singh. The work is divided into five parts : Janam Sakhi Dasari Guruari, Shamsher Khalsa. Raj Khalsa, Sardar Khalsa, and Panth Khalsa. In the first part the author presents biographies of the Ten Gurus and sketches the evolution of the community culminating in the emergence of the Khalsa.
The second part deals with the career of Banda Singh Bahadur, the sustained struggle Sikhs waged against the Mughals in face of fierce persecution, their reorganization in the form of the Dal Khalsa and the running battle between Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Sikhs. The third part describes the rise of the twelve misis or independencies and of the sovereign kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and ends with the annexation of the Punjab by the British. The fourth part contained accounts of Sikh principalities which did not form part of Ranjit Singh`s kingdom. The fifth part treats of Sikh sects, gurdwaras and preaching centres.
As Giani Gian Singh himself relates in the book, he spent more than fifteen years collecting information, mainly verbal. His sources were his own elders, Nagahia Singh, Raghu Singh and Bakhta Singh who had served Guru Gobind Singh, Banda Singh Bahadur and the eighteenth century sardars such as Nawab Kapur Singh and Baba Ala Singh. Besides, he travelled extensively in quest of materials. Two of the older works he admits to having made use of were those by Ratan Singh Bharigu and Bute Shah. He received encouragement from his mentor, Tara Singh Narotam, a Nirmala scholar, and completed in 1867 his first work, the famed Panth Prakash which was a connected history of the Sikhs in Punjabi verse.
The Twankh Guru Khalsa was its expansion in prose. The first edition of the Twankh comprising the first three parts was printed in 1891 at Guru Gobind Singh Press, Sialkot, with the help of Mahant Prem Singh, Bhai Hari Singh of Sialkot and Buta Singh of Rawalpindi. Gian Singh made over the rights of publication of his Twankh to the Khalsa Tract Society, Amritsar. Besides all the copies of the published first three parts of the Twankh, the manuscripts of the remaining two unpublished parts were also handed over to the Society.
The Panth Khalsa (the fifth part) was published in Urdu as late as 1919 and the Sardar Khalsa (the fourth part) was never published. The first three parts severally and collectively of this monumental work ran into several editions in Urdu as well as in Punjabi. They were last published in two volumes in Punjabi by the Languages Department, Punjab, Patiala, in 1970.
References :
1. Bhagat Singh, Giani Gian Singh. Patiala, 1978
2. Singh Sabha Patrika (Sri Guru Panth Prakash Ank). Amritsar, 1979
Twarikh Guru Khalsa: Sikh History From Origin to British Rule, a towering work in Sikh historiography that charts the evolution of Sikh identity—from its spiritual origins to the political transformations culminating in the British annexation of Punjab.
Historical Context and Authorial Background
Twarikh Guru Khalsa is a historical narrative written by Giani Gian Singh (1822–1921). With personal ties to Sikh martyrdom and the Gurus’ legacy—he claimed descent from a sibling of Bhai Mani Singh—Giani Gian Singh set out to compile an account that would serve both as a record of historical events and as a means to consolidate Sikh collective memory. Published for the first time in 1885, the work emerged during a period when Sikh intellectuals were intent on preserving the community’s distinct identity in the face of colonial restructuring and external pressures .
Structure and Content
The narrative is meticulously organized into five distinct parts, with each section addressing a critical phase in Sikh history:
- Janam Sakhi Dasari Guruari:
This opening section provides detailed biographies of the Ten Gurus. It establishes the spiritual and ethical foundation of Sikhism and traces the evolution of the community’s core identity through the lives and teachings of the Gurus. - Shamsher Khalsa:
Focused on the era of Banda Singh Bahadur, this part recounts the valiant struggles against Mughal oppression. It highlights the revolutionary zeal and the martial transformation that began with the organized resistance against the imperial forces. - Raj Khalsa:
The narrative here centers on the rise of the twelve misls—the independent military confederacies that eventually paved the way for the establishment of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. This section is replete with accounts of both political strategy and military brilliance that underscored Sikh self-determination. - Sardar Khalsa:
Not all Sikh principalities were integrated into Ranjit Singh’s unified kingdom. This portion of the work offers accounts of those regional forces and principalities, providing a nuanced look at the fragmented yet resilient nature of Sikh polity during periods of transition. - Panth Khalsa:
The final section deals with the internal dimensions of Sikh organization. It covers various sects, gurdwaras, and preaching centres, underscoring the diversity and complexity of Sikh religious life even as the broader political scenario shifted under colonial dominance.
This comprehensive organization not only informs readers about chronological events but also underscores how the sacred and the martial, the spiritual and the political, have continuously intertwined in Sikh history .
Methodology and Sources
Giani Gian Singh devoted over fifteen years to collecting information for Twarikh Guru Khalsa. His research drew from multiple sources, including:
- Oral Traditions:
He traveled extensively, gathering accounts from elders such as Nagahia Singh, Raghu Singh, and Bakhta Singh, who had direct experiences of historical events or carried memories passed down through generations. - Earlier Literary Works:
The work also makes considerable use of previously composed texts by historians and bards like Bhai Ratan Singh Bhangu and Kavi Santokh Singh. By integrating these sources, Gian Singh was able to present a narrative that was both rich in detail and rooted in longstanding Sikh literary traditions.
This blended methodology—merging oral evidence with earlier written chronicles—ensured that the text not only chronicled events but also played a role in defining a unified Sikh identity at a time when such a project was both urgent and necessary .
Literary Significance and Impact
Twarikh Guru Khalsa does more than serve as a historical record—it is a formative work in the articulation of Sikh identity. Its significance can be appreciated along several dimensions:
- Cultural Consolidation:
By bringing together varied narratives—from the divine lives of the Gurus to the martial exploits of Banda Singh Bahadur and the statecraft of Maharaja Ranjit Singh—the work reinforces a collective historical memory. This consolidation has been central to maintaining a sense of continuity and pride among Sikhs during periods of external political domination. - Historical Critique and Revisionism:
The narrative presents not only celebrated victories but also complex episodes such as internal schisms and the eventual loss of Punjab under British rule. This willingness to engage with multifaceted historical realities has allowed later scholars to reference it as a critical tool in understanding both the heights and the challenges of Sikh sovereignty. - Interplay of the Sacred and the Secular:
A defining feature of the work is its seamless integration of spiritual narratives with socio-political events. The biographies of the Gurus and the subsequent militarization of the Sikh community are portrayed not as isolated phenomena but as interconnected aspects of a continuum—one that ultimately shapes contemporary understandings of Sikh ethos and governance.
The influence of Twarikh Guru Khalsa extends beyond academic circles; it has inspired community leaders and reformers who see in its pages both the extraordinary resilience and the profound spirituality that continue to define Sikh identity .
Legacy and Ongoing Relevance
Even today, Twarikh Guru Khalsa remains a seminal reference for scholars of Sikh history. Its detailed reconstructions and its synthesis of oral and written traditions offer an invaluable window into the developmental trajectory of the Sikh community—from its inception to its transformation under British rule. The work stands as a testament to the enduring power of historical narrative in constructing a shared identity and in inspiring future generations to draw on the values of courage, unity, and spiritual steadfastness.
