Where it all began — the birth of a faith, a people, and an empire.

From the divine vision of Guru Nanak in 1469 to the glittering peak of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's empire in 1839, A History of the Sikhs, Volume I by Khushwant Singh is the essential starting point for anyone seeking to understand one of the world's most remarkable communities.

First published in 1963 and still unmatched in its scope and authority, this landmark work draws on Persian, Gurmukhi, and English archives to tell the full story of Sikhism's rise — written in Khushwant Singh's signature style that makes deep scholarship feel effortlessly readable.

What's Inside

• The Birth of Sikhism — Guru Nanak's founding vision and the spiritual lineage of the Ten Gurus
• Faith & Scripture — The compilation of the sacred Guru Granth Sahib and the forging of Sikh identity
• Resistance & Resilience — The social and political forces that shaped and tested the early Sikh community
• The Rise of the Sikh Empire — Maharaja Ranjit Singh's extraordinary consolidation of power across Punjab
• Archival Depth — Grounded in original research across three languages, accessible to every reader

Whether you're new to Sikh history or deepening a lifelong connection, this is the book that belongs at the beginning of your journey. Pair it with Volume II for the complete story.

Format: Paperback  |  Pages: 407  |  ISBN: 978-0195673081  |  Year: 2021