Gurfateh !
It's bonus time at work so it means I can indulge my triple passions of buying books, Shastars and Vinyl records - being a sensible married man (well almost sensible) - I can't just 'splurge' buy like I used to - got bills to pay !
Anyway enough of my domestic arrangements !! - I recently got my hands on a first edition of Max Arthur Macauliffe's 'The Sikh Religion' 1909 - I previously only had an Indian 'budget' copy with very poor reproductions of the illustrations.
I've also bought a copy of John Clark Archer's 'The Sikhs' from 1946 - it also has some wonderful photographs - In line with the great Sikh tradition of 'Vand ke Chhakna' I am sharing these books with all of you.
So for your enjoyment here are some of the illustrations - I've focussed on pictures of Sikh Built Heritage.
* From 'The Sikh Religion, It's Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors' - Max Arthur Macauliffe. Oxford 1909
Darbar Sahib at the start of the 20th Century
The view from the Baba Atal Tower - you can see the 'Bungay' around the parikarma, The gothic clock tower and the Minars of the Ramgarhia Bunga complete with domes.
Note the many trees and you can also see 'Guru Ka Bagh'
Guru Arjan's shrine
The Sri Takhat Sahib Akal Bunga
Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai Sahib
Fatehgarh Sahib
detail
Mukhtsar
Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded
Bhagat Namdev's Shrine at Ghuman (10 km west of Sri Hargobindpur in Gurdaspur district) - dates from the 14th century with parts built by Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and Sada Kaur
details
* From 'The Sikhs, in relation to Hindus, Moslems, Christians and Ahmadiyyas. A Study in Comparative Religion' - John Arthur Clark Archer. Princeton 1946
Entrance to Darbar Sahib c1930s - this entrance is now the main 'Ghanta Ghar' entrance
Darbar Sahib
The Darshani Deori
The famous 'Jhanda Bunga' - now demolished.
A Nihang Baba stood infront of the Akal Takht - the arch behind him is now where the Miri Peeri Nishan Sahibs were moved to, after the original Jhanda Bunga was demolished , to widen the parikarma.
The Akal Bunga / Akal Takat Sahib
The view through the Darshani Deori
Tarn Taran Sahib
The pavilion on the roof of Tarn Taran Sahib
And to finish some ਦੁਰਲਭ - (Durlab) extremely rare and fascinating pictures of the "Arjun Deva Mela, Lahore" - perhaps recording the last ever mela before partition.
The mela - in the background you can see the Shahi Qilla, The Samadh of Ranjit Singh and Gurdwara Dehra Sahib.
The mela - looking toward the River Ravi.
Outstanding and very poignant images - I hope you enjoyed them.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh !
Ranjit Singh Chohan (Freed)
