{"product_id":"the-sikhs-9780375407284","title":"The Sikhs","description":"\u003cp\u003eFive hundred years ago  Guru Nanak founded the Sikh faith in India. The Sikhs defied the caste system; rejected the authority of Hindu priests; forbade magic and idolatry; and promoted the equality of men and women -- beliefs that incurred the wrath of both Hindus and Muslims. In the centuries that followed  three of Nanaks nine successors met violent ends  and his people continued to battle hostile regimes. The conflict has raged into our own time: in 1984 the Golden Temple of Amritsar -- the holy shrine of the Sikhs--was destroyed by the Indian Army. In retaliation  Sikh bodyguards assassinated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.  Now  Patwant Singh gives us the compelling story of the Sikhs -- their origins  traditions and beliefs  and more recent history. He shows how a movement based on tenets of compassion and humaneness transformed itself  of necessity  into a community that values bravery and military prowess as well as spirituality. We learn how Gobind Singh  the tenth and last Guru  welded the Sikhs into a brotherhood  with each man bearing the surname Singh  or \"Lion \" and abiding by a distinctive code of dress and conduct. He tells of Banda the Braves daring conquests  which sowed the seeds of a Sikh state  and how the enlightened ruler Ranjit Singh fulfilled this promise by founding a Sikh empire.  The author examines how  through the centuries  the Sikh soldier became an exemplar of discipline and courage and explains how Sikhs -- now numbering nearly 20 million worldwide -- have come to be known for their commitment to education  their business acumen  and their enterprising spirit.  Finally  Singh concludes that it would be a grave error to alienate an energetic and vital community like the Sikhs if modern India is to realize its full potential. He urges Indias leaders to learn from the past and to \"honour the social contract with Indians of every background and persuasion.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45647858761781,"sku":"ByrdShop_0375407286","price":28.01,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780375407284.jpg?v=1781698348","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-sikhs-9780375407284","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}