Education and Modernity in Colonial Punjab: Khalsa College, the Sikh Tradition and the Webs of Knowledge, 1880-1947

This book explores the localisation of modernity in late colonial India, focusing on Khalsa College, Amritsar, a pioneering educational institution founded by the Sikhs in 1892. It shows how Sikh educationalists and activists used communal, imperial, national, and transnational discourses and knowledge to educate the modern Sikh, navigating between local and global claims, opportunities, and contingencies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 279 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate process of localizing modernity in the late colonial era of India, serving as a compelling case study. Focusing on the hitherto unexplored colonial history of Khalsa College, Amritsar, a pioneering and immensely influential educational institution established in the British Indian province of Punjab in 1892 by the religious minority community of the Sikhs, the study offers a profound exploration of various themes. These include politics, religion, rural development, militarism, and physical education, all of which are intricately intertwined with the college's narrative. Through meticulous analysis, the book reveals how Sikh educationalists and activists skillfully employed and localized communal, imperial, national, and transnational discourses and knowledge. Their modernist visions and schemes transcended both imperialist and mainstream nationalist frameworks and networks, paving the way for a unique and transformative educational experience.

In its relentless pursuit of educating the modern Sikh, the college navigated a delicate balance between very local and global claims, opportunities, and contingencies. This reflects the ambivalent simultaneity of universalism and particularism that characterizes modernity, a phenomenon that encompasses the simultaneous embrace of diverse cultures and the recognition of unique local contexts.

Khalsa College, Amritsar, stands as a testament to the power of education to shape societies and foster social change. Through its commitment to promoting scientific, practical, disciplined, and physically fit individuals, the college played a pivotal role in shaping the collective consciousness of the Sikh community and contributing to the broader development of India during the late colonial period.

This book is a valuable addition to the field of colonial studies, offering a fresh perspective on the complex interplay between modernity, religion, and cultural identity. It sheds light on the ways in which individuals and communities navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world, and provides valuable insights into the enduring legacies of colonialism in contemporary society.

Weight: 391g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030535162
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020