Book review: Sikh Nationalism: From a Dominant Minority to an Ethno-Religious Diaspora by Gurharpal Singh & Giorgio Shani

Abstract

The question of identity and nationalism occupies a historically significant position in India. While Hindu nationalism has been widely studied, especially within the context of the 19th- and 20th-century colonial period, there remains a dearth of detailed historical scholarship on Sikh nationalism. In Sikh Nationalism: From a Dominant Minority to an Ethno-Religious Diaspora, Gurharpal Singh and Giorgio Shani provide an extensive historical analysis of the development of Sikh identity and nationalism. The central argument of the book challenges simplistic tropes that rely solely on religion as a marker of Sikh identity. Although religion remains one of the significant aspects, the authors advocate an integrated approach to understanding Sikh identity, emphasizing the roles of minority religious identity, diaspora, and nationalism in shaping the modern Sikh identity.