Master Tara Singh in Indian History : Colonialism, Nationalism, and the Politics of Sikh Identity

This first comprehensive study of Master Tara Singh in two parts reveals many new facts, ideas, and perspectives. His politics based on Sikh identity lends unity to his confrontation with the colonial state and the Congress leadership. Partition of the British Punjab and formation of the Punjabi Suba were essentially the results of Master Tara Singh''s vision of Sikh interests and determined efforts to protect these. He stood for a large measure of pluralism in free India.

This is the first comprehensive study of the life and work of Master Tara Singh (1885-1967), Akali leader, freedom fighter, and arguably the foremost leader of the Sikhs. Master Tara Singh''s vision of the ''Indian National State'' was fundamentally different from that of Jawaharlal Nehru and the Indian National Congress. The partition of British Punjab and the formation of Punjabi Suba are the lasting legacies of his determined efforts to protect Sikh interests. Employing new and a broad variety of sources in English and Punjabi, J.S. Grewal weaves a comprehensive biography of Master Tara Singh. Divided into two parts, the first deals with Master Tara Singh''s anti-British activity in colonial India, while the second traces the political and religious trajectories of the movements led by him in pursuit of a unilingual Punjab state. Lending unity to the two parts is Master Tara Singh''s politics based on Sikh identity as a source of confrontation with the colonial state and the Congress government. Revealing new facts, ideas, and perspectives on Master Tara Singh, this book throws fresh light on the freedom struggle, the Akali movement, the politics of partition, and the working of the Congress governments in the states and at the Centre during a tumultuous and transformative period of Indian history.