This first comprehensive study of Master Tara Singh in two parts reveals many new facts, ideas, and perspectives. His politics based on Sikh identity lends unity to his confrontation with the colonial state and the Congress leadership. Partition of the British Punjab and formation of the Punjabi Suba were essentially the results of Master Tara Singh's vision of Sikh interests and determined efforts to protect these. He stood for a large measure of pluralism in freeIndia.

J.S. Grewal was until recently Professor of Eminence at Punjabi University, Patiala, India, and is presently Life Fellow of the University. Earlier he was Professor and Vice Chancellor at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India, and Director and (later) Chairman, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla.

• List of Illustrations


• Foreword by Jaspal Singh


• Preface
  


• Introduction: Historiographical Legacy and Our Approach
  


• Part One COLONIAL RULE, STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM, AND SIKH POLITICS
  


• 1. The Colonial Context (1849-1919)


• 2. Colonial Rule and the Sikhs (1849-1919)


• 3. Early Life and Career of Master Tara Singh (1885-1919)


• 4. Master Tara Singh in the Akali Movement (1920-3)


• 5. From the Jaito Morcha to the Gurdwara Legislation (1923-5)


• 6. Master Tara Singh's Rise into Pre-eminence (1926-9)


• 7. Master Tara Singh Emerges as the Foremost Sikh Leader (1930-6)


• 8. Facing New Challenges (1937-40)


• 9. In Search of Political Autonomy (1940-2)


• 10. New Political Orientations (1942-5)


• 11. At the Simla Conference and in the General Elections (1945-6)


• 12. 'Betrayal of the Sikhs' (1946-7)


• 13. 'Divide and Quit' (February-May 1947)


• 14. Seventy-Five Days to Partition (1 June-15 August 1947)
  


• Part Two INDIAN NATIONALISM, LINGUISTIC STATES, AND AKALI POLITICS


• 15. The New Context (1947-50)


• 16. Making of the New Constitution (1946-50)


• 17. Emergence of the Demand for Territorial Reorganization of East Punjab (1947-50)


• 18. Crystallization of the Demand for 'Punjabi Suba' (1950-2)


• 19. The Akali-Congress Confrontation (1952-5)


• 20. The Akali-Congress Compromise (1955-6)


• 21. Failure of the Compromise (1957-8)


• 22. The Gulf Widens (1958-60)


• 23. The Second Battle (1960-2)


• 24. Master Tara Singh Loses Ground (1962-4)


• 25. At Last a Unilingual Punjab State (1964-6)


• 26. The Last Year


• Conclusion: Sikh Identity and Pluralism
  


• Appendix 1: Master Tara Singh's Interest in Gurba?i


• Appendix 2: Baba Tega Singh


• Appendix 3: Prem Lagan


• Appendix 4: Seventeen Demands of Central Sikh League


• Appendix 5: Akali Party's Election Manifesto


• Appendix 6: The Sikh All-Parties Committee to Sir S. Cripps


• Appendix 7: The All-India Akali Conference (14-15 October 1944)


• Appendix 8: Memorandum Submitted by Master Tara Singh


• Appendix 9: Sardar Hukam Singh's Last Speech in the Constituent Assembly


• Appendix 10: Regional Formula


• Master Tara Singh in Photographs


• Glossary


• Bibliography


• Index


• About the Author