Sikhism - Culture - Gurmat Veechar

y them in nurturing the efforts ofthe great Gurus.
Mata Gujri was the most venerated of the Khalsa Panth women
but, as the author writes, she is generally known only as the mother of
Guru Gobind Singh and the pious wife ofGuru Teg Bahadur Sahib, the
Ninth Nanak. The people at large are scarcely aware ofthe significance
of her contribution to Sikh ethos and thought. Mata Gujri made
sacrifices to protect her grand sons against the dreadful outrages
perpetrated by the Mughals on her family and she herself was
incarcerated along with them. She had inculcated in them the spirit of
indomitable courage and resolute will to remain steadfast in the face of
diversity. On the basis of the ennobling qualities of lofty ideals and
selfless sacrifice she, as the writer rightly underlines, is known as the
mother ofmartyrs.
S. Jagjit Singh's latest work also dissipates certain misconceptions
pertaining to the second marriage ofGuru Gobind Singh and the time
ofdeclaration ofMata Sahib Kaur's status as the mother ofthe Khalsa.
The part captioned 'Sikhism and Martyrdoms', is more than a
tribute, to the tremendous sacrifice made by the Sikhs who in thought,
word and deed lived up to the Guru's definition ofthe Khalsa. In his
attempt to put a true and complete picture, he has also included, the
supreme sacrifices made by Guru Arjan Dev Sahib and Guru Teg
Bahadur Sahib, as they were the first two great martyrs who set the
precedents and laid down the foundation of martyrdom in Sikhism.
The writer has taken care to include even those Sikh martyrs who made
the supreme sacrifice while staying in the background.
Ever since the dawn ofSikhism, Gurdwaras have been the center
of Sikh culture, community life and history. Even as each Gurdwara
has its historical sanctity by virtue of being associated with different
Guru Sahibaans whether in India or Pakistan, they also have their own
standing in the life of every Sikh as he passes through the journey of
life. The author has dealt with the history and significance ofmost of
the Gurdwaras located in various states.
A book on Sikhism and Punjab is not complete ifit does not detail
the special days and festivals those are celebrated by Sikhs with gusto.
In fact the author starts viewing a unique Phulkari (the traditional
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