Early Sikh Scriptural Tradition: Myth and Reality by Balwant Singh Dhillon

This groundbreaking study explores the textual history of the Sikh scripture before the compilation of the Adi Granth. Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon examines the transmission of Gurbani in the pre-Adi Granth period, shedding light on the scribal traditions nurtured by the Sikh Gurus, as well as the competing efforts by sectarian groups like the Udasis, Bhallas, and Minas.

The book urges a rigorous, critical approach when assessing historical Gurbani manuscripts—questioning their authenticity, antiquity, and authority before accepting them as valid sources. It also critiques the uncritical application of Biblical textual criticism methods to Sikh scripture, arguing for a more contextually grounded framework.

A significant contribution to Sikh scriptural studies, this book offers clarity on some of the most debated issues in the formation of the Sikh canon.

Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon is a leading scholar of Sikh studies at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. With doctorates and postgraduate degrees in History and Religious Studies, he has authored several works on Sikh history, scripture, and identity, and published over thirty research articles in prestigious journals worldwide.

• Sikh Scripture

ENG- English

• Hardcover