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Review
The Khalsa Raj Banda, Battles & Body Politic
Compiled by: Davinder Pal Singh & Harinder Singh
Publisher: Panjab Digital Library, Chandigarh
Price: Rs 300, $15, . not mentioned
S Davinder Pal Singh - a crusader - has made untiring efforts to establish Panjab Digital Library and started digitalizing rare documents and the work done by him through Panjab Digital Library perhaps has not been taken up by other any Indian to perserve the heritage. In search of these rare documents he has traversed place to place and even rummaged heaps of the waste papers lying with the scrap dealers.
The Sikh Reference Library which was destroyed during the Operation Bluestar is a tremendous loss for the Sikh community. As a safeguard against loss in future, it is necessary that the important documents, books, magazines, newspapers should be saved through the available technology.
It is a bitter truth that Sikh community has created glorified history and heritage but they could not write and preserve this great inheritance nor have made any attempt to secure it for future generations. Sikh heritage and history in the shape of hand-written manuscripts, wall-paintings, Sikh coins, Granths, forts, historical Gurdwaras scattered all over Punjab and North India, may disappear gradually. The book under review is an effort to highlight the historical places related to the great Sikh General - Baba Banda Singh Bahadur - with brief descriptions in English and Punjabi.
The author not only covers many facets of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur's life but records historical places related to him also. These rare and historical photographs given in the book make it more memorable. Important incidents that occurred in the life of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur have been beautifully painted and briefly described in both the languages create a deep impression on the reader's mind. Some real-site photographs taken in the 3rd decade of 20th century dealing with Baba Banda Singh Bahadur including Naqshbandi Dargh at Sirhind which was not destroyed by the Khalsa Army after their victory at Sirhind under the command of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur form a part of this book evidencing the Sikh ethics and the respect for other religions. None so far has cared for the dwindling relics like bunkers and hideouts reduced to dust in the forts of Lohgarh, Sitaragarh etc. The author has saved the images in this book for posterity.
The book is very well printed on art paper without numbering and I recommend it to be placed in every Drawing Room instead of the coffee table book.
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