Jallianwala Bagh and Sikhs today

Yesterday was a very auspicious occasion - David Cameron became the first sitting British Prime Minister to visit Sri Harimandir Sahib*.

Sikhs believe that for anyone to visit and pay their respects at the site in Amritsar is a blessing - bathing in the sarovar (pool) around it washes away sins, bowing at the house of the Lord brings you closer to the Almighty.  This applies equally to all people - regardless of sex, race, creed, caste.  To symbolise this Harimandir Sahib has four entrances and is a place where any can find peace.

On this visit the PM also saw the langar (free kitchen) which feeds thousands upon thousands of people of all distinctions a simple vegetarian meal - a central element of the Sikh faith is seva (selfless service).

The PM also visited Jallianwala Bagh nearby, where in 1919 Brigadier General Reginald Dyer massacred hundreds of people who had gathered in a protect on Vaisakhi day.  Dyer thought it a major insurrection - how wrong he was.

Now you might wonder where this fits in with the historic context of this blog, which promotes Anglo-Sikh history during the Wars.  I'll try to explain, keeping it short and succinct (so apologies in advance if this is too general):

Sikhs had been loyal soldiers for the British since the annexation of the Punjab in 1849.  They stood firm and loyal during India Mutiny in 1857.  And for their dedication and bravery were trusted to be sent to every arena of British conflict - from the North West Frontier, to China, to E Africa, to Mesopotamia.   During the Great War Sikhs fought in every arena the British did - including for the first time in Europe.

But Jallianwala Bagh changed the sentiment of the Sikhs - many of whom were butchered at the site.  It came just a month before the Third Afghan War when once again Sikhs were sent to Afghanistan in large numbers.  They served, but the mood had changed.  The British were no longer seen as the guardians of their lands, the decay of Empires was setting in and the Brits were becoming excessive and strong handed.  Not to say that these instances hadn't happened before - but now a wider Indian audience became receptive to this form of injustice.  Sikhs would join the movement for a Free India in droves and be at the fore of the independence movement.

I would recommend Sikhs today read more into the events - and find for themselves how it resonates for them.  For me it's an episode which marks the decline of the Raj because the British had lost their stronghold over the Sikhs - a relationship based on mutual respect.  It was the beginning of the end of the jewel in the crown, and many of those feelings continue to inform how Britain and India do business today.

There have been many questions about whether the PM should have apologised for the incident - I'm not a fan of politicians apologising for past historic mistakes.  But showing respect is a higher form of apology.  The fact that Mr Cameron made the effort to visit Amritsar and show respect at Sri Harimandir Sahib for me is more than enough (as many Indians may feel).

Journalistic bit
I shared many of these views with journalists who'd requested an interview yesterday on the visit.  I was also inundated by Sikhs trying to get on to the television to talk about it (a bizarre day when one is both subject to and object of media bids!)  BUT I was unable to go on due to commitments.

So I wanted to finish this post with some advise as many wanted to know how to represent the Sikh view in mainstream media.  It's important to make mention here, as I feel some media outlets missed a trick by not speaking to identifiable Sikhs in the UK:

1 - I'm easily contactable so contact me direct if you require my expertise.  I have a strong social media and web presence and one of my numbers is easily reachable.  So you don't need to be shifty or shy about how you got my number.

2 - Media are always looking for new, fresh, young voices on any issue (not just Sikh stories) - as long as they can articulate ideas.  So if you're trying to pitch me your 'community leader' and I ask if they speak English don't be offended, but don't lie ... I know everyone!

3 - Don't call a Gurdwara a temple - I know what a Gurdwara is, you know what a Gurdwara is so let's call it so.  If I can't take you credibly as a 'Sikh expert' how can I expect others to?  Similarly don't water down who you are - be proud of your faith and language.

4 - Let's be friends!  You don't need a lawyer to get in touch, play with a straight bat.

5 - Engage!  There is one Sikh organisation (which doesn't represent mainstream views) but is getting booked by many outlets.  It's because they engage with media - this doesn't mean sending out badly written press releases, but making contact with and keeping links with editors - and on a myriad of topics not just Sikh ones.

* Some might colloquially term the shrine "Golden Temple", but is a western invention which has stuck, which one doesn't like using.  Sikhs don't pray in temples but Gurdwaras.

Visit to the Royal Memorial Chapel

The Royal Memorial Chapel, Sandhurst, holds tributes to British officers who fought during the Great War and Second World War.

What's so unique about the chapel's memorial is that it pays tribute to the officers who led Sikh soldiers.

Sikhs fought for Empire for more than 100 years - from after the annexation of the Punjab in 1849 up to the Second World War in 1945.

They were loyal, brave and maintained their Sikh faith and traditions in battle.

I had the opportunity recently to visit the chapel and see the memorial to those who fought and died.

Hopefully, this short film for "Sikhs At War" will give you an idea of the significance of their sacrifice - and the importance of the act of Remembering those who served.

Volunteers required

The "Sikhs At War" project is looking for volunteers who can offer any assistance in the following ways.

- video graphic production
- graphic designer for print publications

- music production

- marketing experts

If you're interested, drop the team a message via: press@dothyphen.co.uk

2013...

Happy New Year, everyone!

I know it's a little late ...

We've been busy promoting my new book.

But blogging will re-commence soon, with the launch of our new film AND details of our next historic project.

Watch this space...

Response to abuse

We're getting some quite nasty emails and messages on our websites and Youtube pages, about Sikhs, the turban and Guardsman Bhullar.

Apart from the shockingly bad grammar, and overuse of profanity there does, nonetheless, seem to be a whiff of a semi-valid point which hints to a lack of understanding Sikh turban identity.

So I thought I'd share with you my new book - a resource - to aid everyone's reading of the Sikh faith.  Please click image below.

Knowledge is a weapon but it's best use is as a powerful tool, please read up - and perhaps future messages on our pages might contain succinct arguments if not proper English!

Turban vs Bearskin

The recent news coverage of Jatenderpal Singh Bhullar joining the Scots Guards and going on parade has been largely positive. I've reflected on this in previous posts.

Above: Jatenderpal shaking hands with Major Rick Fletcher (Slough ACIO) after taking the oath of allegiance.

He is parading alongside Guardsmen in their traditional bearskins.  Below I will narrate why the significance of both lend the turban and bearskin to being complimentary to each other.

With media asking me for interviews and background to Sikhs in the British Army, I wanted to take this blog post to add some colour to why Jatenderpal wearing his turban is not only important but a celebration of +150 years of British and Sikh interaction in the military.

First, Jatenderpal is NOT the first Sikh to go on guard duty outside the Palace with a turban. That honour goes to Signaler Simranjit Singh (Royal Signals) and Lance Corporal Sarvjit Singh (Army Air Corps) who both undertook the duty in 2009 (below). Both have gone on to undertake operation tours in Afghanistan.

Nor is he the first to join the Household Division - Trooper Ranny Singh, was the first to join the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry.

BUT Jatenderpal is the first to pass selection and join a Foot Guards unit and go on duty with his turban and beard (symbols of his faith) intact.

No doubt other Sikhs without turbans and beards have joined the Household units, but as uncut hair is crucial for Sikh identity Jatenderpal is making history in maintaining this in the uniform of a Guardsman.  More on this below.

Secondly, he is making history as a Guardsman but is also continuing a strong lineage of Sikhs who fought for Great Britain.  Historically, Sikh interaction with the British military goes back a long long time:

In 1845 the Sikhs fought Britain during the Sutlej campaign (First Anglo-Sikh War)

In 1847 the Sikhs fought Britain during the Punjab campaign (Second Anglo-Sikh War).  That year, the kingdom of the Sikhs was annexed by the British.

In 1857, Sikhs stood loyal to Britain during the mutiny. If they had not done so India could have fallen out of British hands

During the World Wars Sikhs fought valiantly for Britain in all areas of conflict (more here).

All this is the background to what I call the "special respect" the British had for Sikhs.

Unfortunately, this strong connection and history is lost, sadly over around 50 Sikhs serve in the British Army today.

Above: Sikhs historically served Britain, here some of them are meeting Winston Churchill in Yalta during WW2

Moving on to the turban vs bearskin issue (the title of this post), both are strong rich traditions which should be wholly supported as the highest symbol of respect, discipline and honour.

The bearskin is a tall fur cap worn by Foot Guards, it is an honour they won following their brave heroics at the Battle of Waterloo where they ousted Napoleon's forces.

Today it is worn for ceremonial purposes but is a constant reminder of the valour of those who brought honour upon their regiments.

It is also a symbol of the rich traditions and heritage of the British and the respective Guards units that wear them, providing a poignant backdrop of historic endeavours in an age where we often forget about the service and sacrifices of those who helped make Britain great.
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The turban defines a Sikh, above: Trooper Ranny Singh meeting other Sikhs at a Turbanology event

The turban, quiet simply, defines a Sikh.  It is the physical form given to disciples since the creation of the faith by Guru Nanak Dev ji in 1469.  The Sikh Gurus all wore turbans and it denoted their high spirituality.

In wearing a turban a Sikh shows he is independent, distinguishable and a follower of the way of life prescribed by the Sikh Gurus.  This applies equally to women as well as men.

But the key to understanding the turban of the Sikhs is actually the uncut hair is houses - one of the 5 Ks.  In keeping unshorn hair and beards, Sikhs accept the will of God and the humility of maintaining uncut hair gives them discipline and purpose.

The turban is the best way to cover, protect and encase the long hair - and becomes a crown which all Sikhs wear to show they are an independent race.

For an initiated Sikh, wearing a cap or hat is out of the question as it degrades the turban.  Similarly the turban should be tied afresh daily and respected by all by not touching it or mocking it.

So the bearskin represents tradition, duty, honour, history and remembrance.

So the turban stands for identity, spirituality, independence, discipline and selflessness.

Is there any difference between them?  Or do they actually compliment one another because of what they symbolise especially in a modern age.

I hope this short piece will shed some light on why Guardsman Bhullar is wearing his turban and not a bearskin - the key is to respect that he is able to serve in his regiment with his Sikh identity intact.

I truly hope his example inspires many more Brits to work hard and towards the goal of serving their faith and country.

There is more on the significance of Sikh identity in my new book here.

The First Sikh Scots Guard

The Daily Mail have an article entitled "The Sikh soldier who will be the first to guard Buckingham Palace without a bearskin as he'll be wearing a turban instead".

It's about Jatenderpal Singh Bhullar, a remarkable young man who swapped bricklaying for a career in the British Army.

It's indeed a fantastic success story, one we've followed all the way and featured in our recent film "Slough to Soldier" (below).

When we got to know Jatenderpal for the filming - he told us he wanted to be in the Paras.

He wanted to push himself - and venture into a career path that not many Indians had gone down let alone a Sikh with a full beard!

We urged him on, why shouldn't someone set a goal for themselves and work hard to achieve it?!

It's an inspiration, one which I was certainly touched by and his ambition and drive for success is certainly something which more young people need to have.  

Jatenderpal didn't get into the Paras though because of his run time which was a few seconds below the requirement, but he did into the Scots Guards.  In doing so he became the first Sikh with uncut hair/beard to get into Guards regiment!

I spoke to him after he passed out to congratulate him on this remarkable achievement, and urged him to carry on doing what he was doing because he was not only breaking new ground but representing his faith and community.  

He sent me a picture of himself in his Scots uniform, and it made me proud to think a Sikh such as he had broken new ground - and would go on to do well in that regiment.

I knew he'd make a great soldier and felt pleased about his progress from when we first met and filmed him.

So it's unfortunate to hear he might have some difficulty in his ambition.

BUT I for one have full faith in Jatenderpal's strive to succeed as a soldier - and will be supporting him in every way possible.  

I hope people from the community-at-large will do the same.

Please comment positively on this post so we can convey our best wishes to the first Sikh Guard - may he inspired many others to follow suit!

New Short Film "Sikhs At Sandhurst" Coming Soon...

My first visit to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst was during a research trip in 2011.

It struck me immediately that the rich history of this place - which has produced fine officers for centuries - places Sikhs in a glowing frame.

Quite literally - images of Sikhs in their glorious uniforms line the corridors.  Crests of the various Indian regiments decorate the Indian Memorial room.  A Sikh (and other Indians) appears in a stained-glass window to mark their sacrifices in Afghanistan in 1919.

We ventured back to Sandhurst in 2012 to film with officers and soldiers for the recent "Slough to Soldier" short film series for the British Army, and during that we gathered enough material to edit a new short narrating the connection.

"Sikhs At Sandhurst" tells the tale of the Punjabi Prince who's attendance at the Academy required a special dispensation from the Queen herself.  We look at the records of Prince Victor Duleep Singh with the Sandhurst Collection Curator - and follow the journey of Sikhs who went to Sandhurst and serve their country.

 I'm looking forward to sharing the short film with you soon - it will be uploaded to our main site www.sikhsatwar.info and embedded here. 

National Memorial Arboretum

Had a fantastic time visiting the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Timely reflection upon all those who have served and sacrificed for Great Britain.

I came across a Jewish memorial at the site - made me think whether the Sikh community should invest in leaving a lasting legacy as well - in memory of all those Sikhs who sacrificed during the World Wars.

Remembrance 2012

We should all by now know the importance of supporting our troops who fight for Great Britain.

I wanted to share this "Khanda Poppy" that British Sikhs have created in an effort to show their solidarity and remember those from their community that also served during the Great War and WW2.

Visit them here: http://www.khandapoppy.org/

Lest we forget...