‘We teach Iqbal but not Sahibzada Ajit Singh: V-C on DU’s 1st Sikh history course
India’s largest central university, the University of Delhi, will from the upcoming academic session, offer a dedicated course on Sikh history for the first time ever.
Called, “Sikh Martyrdom in Indian History (1500-1765)”, the undergraduate course will cover a wide range of events spanning Sikh history – from the military history of the warrior race, its resistance to Mughal rule, sacrifices of Sikh Gurus and their children and the role of Gurus.
Speaking exclusively to The Tribune about the course today, Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh lamented that while Indian varsities had no qualms teaching Iqbal, the poet who spent a better part of life opposing India and propagating the idea of Pakistan, they were not teaching the sacrifices of Sikh gurus, their children and of other Sikh warriors.
“People rarely know anything about the historical personalities after whom landmarks like SAS Nagar (Mohali) in Punjab or Banda Singh Bahadur Setu in New Delhi are named. The sons of Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed their lives, Banda Bahadur, the chief of Khalsa Army endured untold sufferings fighting for righteous causes. The fact that we did not teach these stories of valour all these years is a problem. At the DU, we are correcting this wrong," Singh said.
The V-C added that correct recording of Sikh history would automatically mean correct recording and perspective of the history of Hindus.
“Sikh aur Hindu ek hi baat hai (Sikhs and Hindus are one). We share our culture and are not apart. We are as they are. The Sikh Gurus are our Gurus," he said, adding that the traditions, sacrifices of Sikh Gurus and their children would be taught in the new general elective course to be available to undergraduate students across all semesters.
The DU plans to hire independent experts of Sikh history to teach the course in the first few years until internal capacities are developed.
Singh said the objective behind the course was to celebrate national heroes and inspire current generations in the tenets of sacrifice and service.
“Iqbal who wrote ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha’ continues to be taught even though he spent his entire life opposing India. He was MA Jinnah’s adviser. We are glorifying those who opposed India and not teaching those who saved us, our culture, our traditions," said Yogesh Singh.
Among chapters in the course are — “Evolution of Sikhism", Hegemonic Mughal State. Concept of Martyrdom, Guru Arjan Dev Life and Martyrdom; Guru Tegh Bahadur Life and Martyrdom; Life of Guru Gobind Singh: Sant Sipahi; Rise of Banda Singh Bahadur; Bhai Mani Singh, Baba Deep Singh, Bhai Bota Singh.
The course was designed by a committee led by Prof Ravinder Kumar, HoD Punjabi, DU.
Delhi