How to Politicize a People: A Case Study of the Sikh Community

By Satnam Singh, author of The Road to Empire: The Political Education of Khalsa Sikhs in the Late 1600s

The rise of the Sikh community from relative obscurity to political imperial prominence is a fascinating yet often overlooked story in the West. For students of political science, the Sikh experience offers valuable insights into the gradual politicization of a people, driven by intellectual leadership. This leadership inspired the wider community of traders and agriculturalists to pursue larger visions of scholarship, conquest, and political sovereignty which ultimately led to a string of rebellions against the governing authorities and the formation of a Sikh Empire in the late 1700s. At the height of their power, Sikh kings and emperors ruled over millions of people in some of South Asia’s richest provinces.

Dynamics of political transformation

In The Road to Empire, I explore a pivotal moment in South Asian history when the Khalsa Sikhs, under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh (1661-1708), began to lay the philosophical and political foundations for what would become the Sikh Empire. My book offers a fresh perspective on the Sikh kingdoms, tracing their origins through a rich intellectual and cultural history centered around the vibrant court of Anandpur. 

In my study, Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru of the Sikh tradition, emerges not only as a spiritual leader but also as a visionary intellectual, a patron of the arts, and a key architect of Sikh political thought. Through a focused examination of his role in commissioning, studying, authoring, and translating works on statesmanship, sovereignty, and governance, I explore the profound impact of his leadership on both the Sikh community and the broader political landscape of the time.

The book also highlights Anandpur itself, a cultural and intellectual hub where over a hundred Sanskrit- and Persian-literate scholars worked alongside the Guru, immersing the Sikhs in classical political traditions from India, Persia, and beyond. These scholars contributed to a tapestry of ideas that would shape the Khalsa's ambitions for political autonomy and sovereignty.

Sikh Sovereignty and Present-Day Global Affairs

In recent years, the question of Sikh sovereignty has resurfaced as a significant topic of discussion in both academic circles and global media. This renewed interest underscores the enduring relevance of Sikh history and its implications for contemporary geopolitical debates. Scholars are increasingly examining Sikh imperial history and legacy, focusing on its philosophical foundations, military strategies, and lasting impact on the region’s political landscape. Notably, the Wallace Collection in London recently hosted an exhibition that highlighted rare artifacts that detailed the rise and glory of the Sikh Empire, offering a fascinating glimpse into this pivotal chapter of history.

At the same time, the topic of Sikh sovereignty continues to influence international diplomacy. Current tensions between India, the USA, Australia, and Canada, for example, have escalated over Sikh nationalism, with accusations that Western nations are providing sanctuary to individuals advocating for an independent Sikh state in South Asia. This ongoing debate serves as a reminder of the continued relevance of Sikh political aspirations, both historically and in the context of present-day global affairs.

Sikh Elite Culture and Political Identity
While Sikhs in the West are often acknowledged for their martial history, particularly their service in the British Army during the World Wars, and for their humanitarian efforts in disaster zones, this book focuses on a different facet of Sikh history: Sikh elite culture.

A key moment in this history occurred under Guru Gobind Singh’s leadership, when he surrounded himself with intellectual and cultural elites, and thereby familiarized his own followers with such elitist cultures. The Guru established an impressive grand library that housed volumes in Sanskrit, Persian, Punjabi, and Braj, and patronized scholars from diverse religious backgrounds, including former Mughal and Rajasthani intellectuals. These scholars, working within the royal court at Anandpur, engaged in the study and debate of ancient Persianate and Sanskrit political thought. Their discussions explored how to adapt these classical teachings to the emerging Sikh context, particularly in relation to governance and sovereignty. How could Sikhs use existing knowledge to benefit themselves in the future? 

One notable area of debate I examine was the degree to which the Sikh ruling elite should adopt Persianate culture, especially regarding the use of the Persian script, which was the standard for governance across much of the Indo-Persian world at the time. While opinions may have varied, the authors of the Anandpuri Prem Sumarag (The Great Path of Love) took a clear position: all official documents, including secret state papers and financial records, should be written in Gurmukhi, the script of the Sikh tradition. The text declares:

ਬਿਦਿਆ ਕਾ ਪਰਗਾਸ ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ ਕਾ ਅਰੁ ਅੰਕਪਲੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ ਕਾ ਕਰੈ। ਰੋਜ਼ਨਾਮਾ ਖਾਤਾ ਸਭ ਕਾਗਜ਼ ਕਿਆ ਪਰਗਨਿਆਂ 
ਕੇ ਕਿਆ ਹਜ਼ੂਰ ਕਾ ਸਭ ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ ਬਿਦਿਆ ਕਾ ਕਰੇ।
All government documents and sciences should be written in the Gurmukhi script, including those documents that are coded and to be kept secret. Financial documents, running accounts, and all other types of documents in the provinces and at the central royal court must be written in Gurmukhi.

This decision marked a clear departure from the broader use of Persian in governance, signaling the growing autonomy of the Sikh community and its desire to cultivate a distinct political identity in the Indo-Islamic world.

However, by the eighteenth century, the Khalsa forces that established their own Sikh states adopted a different approach, exemplifying the internal debates within the community. In an effort to align their kingdoms with the broader Persianate world of the Mughal Empire, they continued to use Persian for official purposes. This decision helped the Sikh states integrate into the larger political and cultural fabric of the time, embedding the Sikh community within the broader global history of statecraft.

A Complex Journey to Sovereignty

Through this lens, we can see how Sikh rulers and intellectuals navigated complex cultural and political currents, gradually shaping the trajectory of Sikh sovereignty in unique and adaptive ways. The Road to Empire offers unique insights into the politicization of a previously marginalized people, who eventually rose to imperial power in the Indo-Islamic world. 

In exploring the story of Sikh political education and elite culture, this book uncovers a critical chapter in the history of South Asian political thought, one that challenges conventional narratives and provides a deeper understanding of the Sikh community’s quest for self-determination.

About the Author

Satnam Singh 

is a senior consultant to Danish authorities and has worked professionally for more than a decade to prevent political extremism and honor-related violence against women. Learn more at www.satnam-singh.com.