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The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition
This study lays the foundation for a major reinterpretation of religion and society in India. By extensively using post-structuralist theory, Oberoi suggests an alternative to earlier scholarly narratives that saw Sikhism, Hindism, and Islam as historically given categories encompassing
well-demarcated and self-conscious units of religious identity. The theoretical advances are made through a searching examination of Sikh historical materials.
well-demarcated and self-conscious units of religious identity. The theoretical advances are made through a searching examination of Sikh historical materials.
516 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 29, 2018
A little silly to poorly rate a book just because its author, a credible historian, writes something contrary to your political agenda, no?
January 8, 2021
Essential reading for anyone interested in the Singh Sabha movement and how a society had a fluid sense of community.
July 2, 2025
In "The construction of Religious Boundaries" Harjot Oberoi explains in detail the complex process of differentiation of the Sikh religion based on both historiography and anthropology.
His historical research, presented through key anthropological and sociological concepts set by Michel Foucault, Pierre Bourdieu and Sherry Ortner, gives a wholesome perspective in the evolution of Sikhism in the plural context of South Asia, diverse, plural and fluid by nature.
The study presented by Oberoi while comprehensive, is accessible to the reader and can be followed with relative ease. Notwithstanding the complexity of the matter, the examples and anecdotes complement the reading making it clear.
Besides the topic of how the Sikh tradition came to its current shape, the reader learns about some of the most influential figures in Sikhism and some of the most relevant moments in its history.
The transversal analysis of this study has helped me in deepening the understanding of how religious boundaries have been formed in the case of Sikhism, and has in great extent assisted me in understanding how the mechanisms identified in this particular case can be acknowledged in the formation of other specific religious identities.
Thank you H. Oberoi for bringing new and rich perspectives that enhance the plasticity of the critical mind.
His historical research, presented through key anthropological and sociological concepts set by Michel Foucault, Pierre Bourdieu and Sherry Ortner, gives a wholesome perspective in the evolution of Sikhism in the plural context of South Asia, diverse, plural and fluid by nature.
The study presented by Oberoi while comprehensive, is accessible to the reader and can be followed with relative ease. Notwithstanding the complexity of the matter, the examples and anecdotes complement the reading making it clear.
Besides the topic of how the Sikh tradition came to its current shape, the reader learns about some of the most influential figures in Sikhism and some of the most relevant moments in its history.
The transversal analysis of this study has helped me in deepening the understanding of how religious boundaries have been formed in the case of Sikhism, and has in great extent assisted me in understanding how the mechanisms identified in this particular case can be acknowledged in the formation of other specific religious identities.
Thank you H. Oberoi for bringing new and rich perspectives that enhance the plasticity of the critical mind.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews