About the Book

The history of Sikhs in Britain provides important clues into the evolution of Britain as a multicultural society and the challenges it faces today. The authors examine the complex Anglo-Sikh relationship that led to the initial Sikh settlement and the processes of community-building around Sikh institutions such as gurdwaras. They explore the nature of British Sikh society as reflected in the performance of Sikhs in the labour markets, the changing characteristics of the Sikh family and issues of cultural transmission to the young. They provide an original and insightful account of a community transformed from the site of radical immigrant class politics to a leader of the Sikh diaspora in its search for a separate Sikh state.

Commendations

'This book is of very great importance for anyone who wishes to understand the crucial role of Sikhs in defining the possibilities of multiculturalism in Britain at a time when the very notion is under attack from many sources. It should be essential reading for policy makers as well as students.' - John Rex, Professor Emeritus, University of Warwick.

'This is a very welcome and timely publication. The authors have been truly innovative in collating and analysing the vast amount of data produced in relation to the Sikh community since Maharaja Duleep Singh first arrived in Britain in 1854. The presence of analysis based on hard facts...makes this a compelling and authoritative volume...This volume is certainly stimulating in its style and content, and is a very welcome addition to the academic literature regarding one of the largest and most identifiable segments of the minority ethnic populations in Britain.' - Jasjit Singh, University of Leeds, Political Studies Review

'A wonderful portrayal' - Association for the Study of African Caribbean and Asian Culture and History in Britain

Contents

Introduction
1. The Sikhs of Punjab
2. Punjabi Society and Sikh Migration
3. Settlement, Demography and Social Profile
4. Gurdwaras and Community-building
5. Homeland Politics: Class, Identity and Party
6. British Multiculturalism and Sikhs
7. Employment and Education
8. Family, Gender and Sexuality
9. Punjabi, Bhangra and Youth Identities
Conclusion

About the Authors

Gurharpal Singh is the Nadir Dinshaw Chair in Inter-Religious Relations in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham and an Editor of Sikh Formations.

Darshan S. Tatla is a Research Associate in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham and the author of The Sikh Diaspora (Routledge).