Sikhs in Britain: The Making of a Community

'This fine study of the Sikhs in Britain is a splendid addition to the field. Not only does it provide an invaluable mapping of the community's origins and development which should make it a standard work of reference for years to come, but in its sophisticated interrogation of the sociological and political tensions which have marked that development it makes a uniquely informed wider contribution to the ongoing debates about the nature of "multicultural" Britain'. Professor Christopher Shackle, SOAS, University of London 'This book is of very great importance for anyone who wishes to understand the crucial role of Sikhs in defining the possibilities of multiculturalism in Britain at a time when the very notion is under attack from many sources. It should be essential reading for policy makers as well as students.' Professor John Rex, Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick 'This work is a major review of the history and issues affecting Sikhs in Great Britain since the Second World War. Balanced and extremely well documented...it marks an important contribution to Sikh and multicultural studies'. - Professor Norman G. Barrier, Professor of History University of Missouri 'This is an important book which details the coming to self-consciousness of the Sikh community in Britain under local, national and transnational exigencies'. Professor Uday S. Mehta, Department of Political Science, Amherst College 'This book comes at a time when new limits to multiculturalism and to free speech are being drawn and these wider debates are brilliantly interwoven with an account of the public and private lives of Sikhs. The book is politically charged, but sensitive, humane and open-minded at the same time.' Robin Cohen, ESRC Professorial Research Fellow, University of Warwick. 'This first major account of the development of the British Sikh community is very welcome. Scholarly, analytical and deeply empathetic, it is a major contribution.' Professor Judith M. Brown, University of Oxford

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. The Sikhs of Punjab 2. Punjabi Society and Sikh Migration 3. Settlement, Demography and Social Profile 4. Gurdwaras and Community-building 5. Homeland Politics: Class, Identity and Party 6. British Multiculturalism and Sikhs 7. Employment and Education 8. Family, Gender and Sexuality 9. Punjabi, Bhangra and Youth Identities Conclusion

About the Author :
Gurharpal Singh is the Nadir Dinshaw Chair in Inter-Religious Relations in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham and an Editor of Sikh Formations. Darshan S. Tatla is a Research Associate in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham and the author of The Sikh Diaspora (Routledge). Gurharpal Singh is the Nadir Dinshaw Chair in Inter-Religious Relations in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham and an Editor of Sikh Formations. Darshan S. Tatla is a Research Associate in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham and the author of The Sikh Diaspora (Routledge).

Review :
A wonderful portrayal of Sikh life in Britain. This is a very welcome and timely publication. The authors have been truly innovative in collating and analysing the vast amount of data produced in relation to the Sikh community since Maharaja Duleep Singh first arrived in Britain in 1854. The presence of analysis based on hard facts...makes this a compelling and authoritative volume...This volume is certainly stimulating in its style and content, and is a very welcome addition to the academic literature regarding one of the largest and most identifiable segments of the minority ethnic populations in Britain. This book is of very great importance for anyone who wishes to understand the crucial role of Sikhs in defining the possibilities of multiculturalism in Britain at a time when the very notion is under attack from many sources. It should be essential reading for policy makers as well as students.