Sikhism And Secularism by Inderjeet Singh Chawla [Paperback]

What if secularism was not a modern Western invention? What if, centuries before the Enlightenment, a living, breathing model of it had already taken root in India? And what can that legacy teach us in today’s fractured world? In the shadow of the Golden Temple—where four doors welcome every faith and the langar feeds all without distinction—this deeply researched and authoritative book traces the genesis of Sikhism as a radical, humane philosophy. From Guru Nanak’s revolutionary vision to the evolving Guru tradition, it shows how spiritual authority was shaped into a living, ethical system. It also explores how this very faith resisted Mughal tyranny and later challenged the rigidities of colonial census-making, preserving a fiercely independent identity. Both a compelling historical narrative and a ready reference tome on Sikhism, this work reveals how its principles of Miri-Piri, equality, and moral courage forged a powerful model of pluralism. It argues that the most enduring answers to modern conflict may lie within traditions that place humanity above all else