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Sundri
Sundri is the first Punjabi novel which comes from the pen of Bhai Vir Singh.
Base on a popular folk song and set in the historical period of Mir Manu that is notorious for large scale massacre of the Sikhs, Sundri is a symbolic representative of that milieu. Nawabs had courtiers were bent upon annihilating the Sikhs. The rulers were lustful and tyrannical. Hindus as a class failed to meet the challenge. At the best they could offer compensation to get back the captured girls. Men like Balwant Singh, brother of Sundri, and girls of her stock faced all kinds of persecution at the hands of the Moghul sepoys and humiliation at the hands of Nawabs. The story depicts incidents and events which inculcate universal brotherhood and love for humanity. A Sikh girl treats an injured Moghul sepoy but on learning that she is a Sikh woman he attacks with his dagger. Surasti, the earlier name of Sundri, was forcibly taken away by the Moghul official but when she is baptised and renamed Sundri, she earns respects of the members of the Sikh Jatha who treat her as their own sister.
Base on a popular folk song and set in the historical period of Mir Manu that is notorious for large scale massacre of the Sikhs, Sundri is a symbolic representative of that milieu. Nawabs had courtiers were bent upon annihilating the Sikhs. The rulers were lustful and tyrannical. Hindus as a class failed to meet the challenge. At the best they could offer compensation to get back the captured girls. Men like Balwant Singh, brother of Sundri, and girls of her stock faced all kinds of persecution at the hands of the Moghul sepoys and humiliation at the hands of Nawabs. The story depicts incidents and events which inculcate universal brotherhood and love for humanity. A Sikh girl treats an injured Moghul sepoy but on learning that she is a Sikh woman he attacks with his dagger. Surasti, the earlier name of Sundri, was forcibly taken away by the Moghul official but when she is baptised and renamed Sundri, she earns respects of the members of the Sikh Jatha who treat her as their own sister.
145 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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About the author
Bhai Vir Singh
45 books20 followersVir Singh (Punjabi: ਭਾਈ ਵੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ; 5 December 1872, Amritsar-10 June 1957) was a poet, scholar and theologian and a figure in the movement for the revival and renewal of Punjabi literary tradition.
Vir Singh began taking an active interest in the affairs of the Singh Sabha Movement. To promote its aims and objects, he launched the Khalsa Tract Society in 1894. The tracts produced by the Khalsa Tract Society introduced a new style of literary Punjabi.
He was honored with the Sahitya Academy Award in 1955 and the Padam Bhushan Award in 1956.
Vir Singh began taking an active interest in the affairs of the Singh Sabha Movement. To promote its aims and objects, he launched the Khalsa Tract Society in 1894. The tracts produced by the Khalsa Tract Society introduced a new style of literary Punjabi.
He was honored with the Sahitya Academy Award in 1955 and the Padam Bhushan Award in 1956.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 23, 2013
Sundri is the story of valour and bravery, of the power of womanhood and a tribute to all those people who did not forsake their honour even in the face of great travesty.
Sundri is the story of a Hindu girl, who after being abducted by the Mughals on the eve of her marriage, and who, on the verge of mental breakdown, is saved by her brother who has converted to Sikhism. She too, adopts the Sikh faith and becomes Sukhmani Kaur, affectionately called Sundri. She fought alongwith the men, and assisted them in raids on the invaders bringing back the abducted Hindu girls from their clutches. The story ends with her death at the hands of a thankless Mughal soldier who stabbed her after she nursed to his wounds.
This book shows why Bhai Vir Singh is known as a master author of the Punjabi language. Words fail in the appreciation of his great text.
Sundri is the story of a Hindu girl, who after being abducted by the Mughals on the eve of her marriage, and who, on the verge of mental breakdown, is saved by her brother who has converted to Sikhism. She too, adopts the Sikh faith and becomes Sukhmani Kaur, affectionately called Sundri. She fought alongwith the men, and assisted them in raids on the invaders bringing back the abducted Hindu girls from their clutches. The story ends with her death at the hands of a thankless Mughal soldier who stabbed her after she nursed to his wounds.
This book shows why Bhai Vir Singh is known as a master author of the Punjabi language. Words fail in the appreciation of his great text.
January 4, 2022
Amazing tale of Sikh woman Sundri and her strength, piousness, compassion, empathy, love and sacrifice. All the virtues in a woman- The true daughter of Guru Gobind Singh ji. Also it depicts the atrocities laid on Sikhs at that time. Amazing book to read by Bhai Veer Singh Ji.
March 12, 2025
Sundri's struggle to maintain her Sikh identity in a hostile environment is super relatable. We're all trying to figure out who we are, right? Her journey highlights the importance of staying true to your roots, even when it's tough.
February 27, 2025
Yeah, I know, sounds like something your grandparents would recommend...but the story is worth it 💯
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews