Patshahi Mehima - Revisiting Sikh Sovereignty

by Ranveer Singh

Starting with the arrival of Gurū Nānak Sāhib, this book revisits the revolutionary rise of the Sikh Panth covering over five hundred and fifty years of history. Ranveer Singh presents how the Sikh Gurūs proactively created new paradigms of existence that offered a liberating alternative to the clutches of totalitarian and oppressive power structures built and tied to haumai (ego).

While Sikh consciousness was at the nucleus of this transformation, Singh presents how the doctrine of Sikh sovereignty was integral to this process, allowing the praxis of Gurmat to exist independently through the standing of Gurū’s Darbār, and the manifestations of Sikh Rāj (Rule) that followed.

Foreword by Professor Pritam Singh (Oxford)

EARLY PRAISE

“Ranveer Singh has put in his best intellectual effort to present a narrative on Sikh sovereignty and has thus, made a substantial contribution to Punjab and Sikh studies that deserves serious attention, engagement and reflection.” - Pritam Singh, Emeritus Professor of Economy, Oxford Brookes

As calls to 'decolonize' knowledge reverberate across the academy, Ranveer Singh engages in this very praxis. He asks us to consider the possibility of approaching Sikh sovereignty without the conceptual baggage that continues to weigh down mightily. - Rajbir Singh Judge, Assistant Professor, California State University

This book belongs to every Sikh library and will have greatest appeal to the younger generation growing up in the Sikh diaspora.” - Pashaura Singh, Distinguished Professor and Dr. J.S. Saini Chair in Sikh Studies, University of California, Riverside

“Ranveer Singh has done a great job in eloquently putting together the simmering issue of Sikh sovereignty which needs to be resolved with the mandate of Sikh people in the context of our historical sovereign past. This magnificent book should be in every university classroom in social sciences.” - Hon. Justice Dr. Anup Singh Choudry, High Court Judge ( retd), B.sc. (Lond) LL.B (Cantab)LL.M .DipNotar(Cantab ) PH.D(KIU), ACQI

430 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2021

Reviews

[Shamsher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an important book, it presents a clear narrative account of Sikh history centring Sikh sovereignty, it provides valuable references for further research, and it does not disconnect the struggle for Sikh liberation from Sikh history. It brings Sikhi to life in a way that will be relevant for years to come.

[Harpreet Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't been able to put this book down since it arrived last week. The level of detail is phenomenal, and to see a writer reference so many precolonial texts and yet offer an up to date decolonial narrative that sheds light on Sikh Raj is so refreshing. The chapters on colonialism and nationalism are a great resource, and ones that I will be revisiting. Highly recommend for anyone interested in Sikh History!

[Baljit Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This piece of work is groundbreaking, nothing, especially in English, exists like it, that connects the reader with Paatshahi through the ages.

Gopal Singh Khushwant Singh Patwant singhs works are the usual suspects when most think of Sikh history and they are massively compromised, flawed works, all consider Santji and all the shaheeds as extremists, which tell you about their understanding of Sikhi.

This is one of the only books that tackle the issue of coloniality and how it affects us till today.

[JáY KS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal read. Each chaper if were to be extrapolated in to a new read I'd buy each & every book. It provides consolidated insight into how Sikhi manifested & transpired. It's a must read for those that want to understand & learn about Sikh History, The Gurus, Khalsa's Spiritual & Temporal Truth. 🙏🙏

[Jasneet Oberoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most thought provoking book I've read on Sikh history. The chapters on the Sikh Gurus were told in a way I've never seen done before. I always thought these places were Gurdwaras, but Kartarpur and Khadur were actual towns, and when told within the context of Sikh sovereignty, it begins to make sense. I just wished the author had spent more time on the period between Banda Singh and Ranjit Singh, in particular the type of government they both adopted. We need more books like this, books that offer a decolonial narrative which counters the mainstream narrative. A liberating read, and full of references for further reading. Highly recommend!

[Harjinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this. Every household needs atleast one copy in their home. Have not been able to put it down since my purchase.

[Kair Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, as a Sikh living in the diaspora and
Since reading this book I've been able to rediscover and reconnect with Sikh thought with sovereignty, sociopolitical independence and liberation being at the core of this book. Ranveer Singh presents the Sikh way of life and the Sikh movement in a precise and authentic way and completely debunks post colonial works of Sikh history and the Sikh way of existence. These post colonial works show a long history of the distortion and dilution of the divinely independent Sikh movement started by Guru Nanak Sahib. I personally think this book belongs in every Gurdwara and Sikh home. I highly recommend this book and furthermore, Ranveer offers an engaging 12 week course based on this book!

[Amrit Dhanjal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing history book about the Sikhs. I never really understood sovereignty, but this book explains what is it and how important it has been throughout Sikh history. It helps explain a lot about how the Sikhs ruled over Punjab and then lost that rule to the British but still tried to reestablish rule. The book has really helped shape my understanding of the partition in 1947 and events of 1984, with a narrative that I have not read before. I have recommended this to my friends, and hope to see more work from this author soon.

[Hardeep Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in a way that was easy to read and digest but also backed up with multiple sources that enriched the overall narrative. It is a must for anyone interested in a decolonial understanding of Sikhism, or as the author says Sikhi, and the issue of Sikh sovereignty. I liked how the opening began with an explanation of key Sikh values and concepts such as Hukam and Vismad. The overall structure of the chapters was clear and well presented. It's a book for every Sikh student and teacher!

[Mandeep Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book, well written and backed up with a massive array of different sources. I would urge anyone interested in Sikh history and politics to read it and support the author with future books. We need more books like this!

[Simran Dhaliwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been told this narrative about Sikh History, or the significance of sovereignty for the Sikhs. It was a compelling and eye-opening read, and the amazing list of references the author provided are a great resource in and of themselves. To be able to narrate the lives of the Gurus, and then depict significant moments from Sikh History that defined the people of Panjab, is an extraordinary achievement. I thoroughly enjoyed Ranveer Singh's first novel, and with this latest book he has demonstrated his ability to write non-fiction too. Informative and empowering. Must read!

[Simran Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fastest read this year. Ranveer is a young, brilliant and thoughtful contributor and scholar. This is reflected in his narratives of Sikh content because he is well researched! I am amazed at how easy to read this book is. I will be studying it for years because he’s addressed the main components and structure of how our Gurus laid out a plan for sovereignty.

A well crafted explanation of each brick laid by our Gurus and how politics and religion is completely interconnected. Ranveer outlines how the whole Sikh system is composed of absolute substance because our leaders are grounded in Gurmat Philosphy. Each chapter ends with the notes which is the best way to read a comprehensive book like this.

Before getting started I recommend you already have a basic knowledge on Gurmat and Sikh History. You also should have read intellectual takes on history. This is a true labour of love and a Seva to outlining the political foundation behind Guruship. Grateful for Ranveer’s lens’s and focus. After what happened to Sikhs in India it’s no surprise our history was eradicated. So you’ll find with most scholarly books like this the notes and citations are so important, a lot of flipping back and fourth and re-reading!

What joy.