The Materiality of the Past: History and Representation in Sikh Tradition
"Through deft study of sites and objects revered within Sikh tradition, Anne Murphy explores the historical production of the representation of the past within Sikh tradition and how such representations were transformed from the eighteenth century to the early twentieth in Punjab. Murphy moves beyond the 'Sikh identity' debate toward a more substantive and historically-oriented accounting of the central sensibilities and commitments in the tradition. An excellent addition to the growing corpus of works in the colonial history of South Asia."--Arvind-Pal S. Mandair, Associate Professor and S.C.S.B Endowed Professor of Sikh Studies, University of Michigan"What does it mean to be a Sikh? In this rich historical exploration of Sikh identity, Anne Murphy traces the shifting roles of Sikh texts, objects, and holy sites through three centuries. This book will be valuable not just to South Asianists, but to anyone interested in issues of material religion or historical memory."--Richard H. Davis, Professor of Religion, Bard College