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well, ofour religion.<br />
The book though not a voluminous one, has been split up into six<br />
small parts to facilitate its reading.<br />
Part one deals with 'Our Festivals, Special Days'. Some festivals<br />
and certain other days, the Khalsa Panth specially celebrates and<br />
observes in a particular way have been mentioned and their importance<br />
has been brought to the fore. The Second part is just informative.<br />
Information on various points and issues of <strong>Sikhism</strong> has been given<br />
with some explanations, clarifications or interpretation In part Three,<br />
the lives of; the roles played by and contribution direct or indirect<br />
made by our Guru family ladies - mothers, wives and daughters have<br />
been discussed. Starting right from Mata Tripta, to Mata Sahib Devan,<br />
in all nineteen lives, have been dealt with. The subject matter of Part<br />
Four is 'Martyrdom in <strong>Sikhism</strong>'. Besides a general note on the subject,<br />
martyrdoms of some very prominent personalities starting from The<br />
Crown ofMartyrs - Shaheedan de Sirtaj - Guru Arjan Dev followed by<br />
'The Sheet of India'- Hind di Chaader, Guru Teg Bahadur have been<br />
discussed. Then in part V, most of the Historical Gurdwaras and<br />
Gurudhams have been listed with some details about their historical<br />
importance and significance. Part VI contains brief information about<br />
some~pical terms used in the study and practice of<strong>Sikhism</strong>.<br />
The concluding pages carry two appendices. Appendix I is the<br />
Bibliography and Appendix II is all-important Index that shall prove to<br />
be ofmuch help in locating any particular issue or subject in the text.<br />
Before I say a few thanks giving words for some well wishers,<br />
guides, friends and scholars, I bow in reverence and in gratitude to<br />
my 'Isht Guru; Sri Guru Granth Sahib, 'The Shabad Guru', as I<br />
think whatever has been said and written in this book is all with<br />
His grace, blessings and persuasions. lowe everything to my Guru,<br />
my God as nothing is mine with me and whatever has been said<br />
and put forward in this book is as directed by Him only.<br />
I am thankful to S. Makhan Singh, Chairman, Guru Arjan<br />
Dev Institute OfTechnology, Pitam Pura, New Delhi, for writing a<br />
beautiful Foreword. It is needless to mention that it was he who on<br />
seeing the manuscript of my first book gave me a detailed note, 'An<br />
Appreciation', that encouraged me a lot in carrying forward my<br />
writing pursuits. (Although S. Makhan Singh is such an eminent<br />
personality, that does not need any introduction, yet for the<br />
An Introduction / xv
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