The city of Amritsar stands on the volatile border between India and Pakistan. It has been a focus for political and religious conflict since the partition of 1947. "Amritsar" brings together 25 first-hand accounts of life in a city at the epicentre of one of the largest and bloodiest forced migrations in history. The interviews explore experiences from the time of partition: from the suddenness of uprooting and the belief that the migration was only to be temporary to the enduring sense that the violence was politically and not culturally or religiously motivated. Issues raised include: the abduction and rehabilitation of women and children; the differing experiences of elite and subaltern classes; the memories of refugee convoys and camps; the hazards of border crossing; and the nostalgia for pre-Partition bonds between Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus.

'This fine study of the Sikhs in Britain is a splendid addition to the field. Not only does it provide an invaluable mapping of the community's origins and development which should make it a standard work of reference for years to come, but in its sophisticated interrogation of the sociological and political tensions which have marked that development it makes a uniquely informed wider contribution to the ongoing debates about the nature of "multicultural" Britain'. Professor Christopher Shackle, SOAS, University of London '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.' Professor John Rex, Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick 'This work is a major review of the history and issues affecting Sikhs in Great Britain since the Second World War. Balanced and extremely well documented...it marks an important contribution to Sikh and multicultural studies'. - Professor Norman G. Barrier, Professor of History University of Missouri 'This is an important book which details the coming to self-consciousness of the Sikh community in Britain under local, national and transnational exigencies'. Professor Uday S. Mehta, Department of Political Science, Amherst College 'This book comes at a time when new limits to multiculturalism and to free speech are being drawn and these wider debates are brilliantly interwoven with an account of the public and private lives of Sikhs. The book is politically charged, but sensitive, humane and open-minded at the same time.' Robin Cohen, ESRC Professorial Research Fellow, University of Warwick. 'This first major account of the development of the British Sikh community is very welcome. Scholarly, analytical and deeply empathetic, it is a major contribution.' Professor Judith M. Brown, University of Oxford

Recent conflicts in the Panjab and elsewhere have brought the Sikhs considerable attention from both scholars and the media. There has been particular interest in the cultural and social life of Sikh communities in the United States and Canada. Until now, however, materials on the subject have been either unavailable or found only in widely scattered sources. This book is the first to present a comprehensive guide to the existing literature. Providing access to published and unpublished material in both English and Panjabi, it brings together a broad spectrum of material that will be of use to both journalists and scholars. The bibliography offers annotated listings of books, official and semi-official reports, dissertations, journal and newspaper articles, and films and videos. Arranged by subject, it covers the history of migration, educational issues, politics, religion, and community life. A section of Panjabi language and literature contains entries for Sikh writers living in North America. A brief discussion of each author is included, together with a list of principal publications. This bibliography is an appropriate acquisition for collections in ethnic and minority studies and a valuable resource for those with a special interest in the North American Sikh community.

'This fine study of the Sikhs in Britain is a splendid addition to the field. Not only does it provide an invaluable mapping of the community's origins and development which should make it a standard work of reference for years to come, but in its sophisticated interrogation of the sociological and political tensions which have marked that development it makes a uniquely informed wider contribution to the ongoing debates about the nature of "multicultural" Britain'. Professor Christopher Shackle, SOAS, University of London '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.' Professor John Rex, Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick 'This work is a major review of the history and issues affecting Sikhs in Great Britain since the Second World War. Balanced and extremely well documented...it marks an important contribution to Sikh and multicultural studies'. - Professor Norman G. Barrier, Professor of History University of Missouri 'This is an important book which details the coming to self-consciousness of the Sikh community in Britain under local, national and transnational exigencies'. Professor Uday S. Mehta, Department of Political Science, Amherst College 'This book comes at a time when new limits to multiculturalism and to free speech are being drawn and these wider debates are brilliantly interwoven with an account of the public and private lives of Sikhs. The book is politically charged, but sensitive, humane and open-minded at the same time.' Robin Cohen, ESRC Professorial Research Fellow, University of Warwick. 'This first major account of the development of the British Sikh community is very welcome. Scholarly, analytical and deeply empathetic, it is a major contribution.' Professor Judith M. Brown, University of Oxford

The city of Amritsar stands on the volatile border between India and Pakistan. It has been a focus for political and religious conflict since the partition of 1947. "Amritsar" brings together 25 first-hand accounts of life in a city at the epicentre of one of the largest and bloodiest forced migrations in history.

The interviews explore experiences from the time of partition: from the suddenness of uprooting and the belief that the migration was only to be temporary to the enduring sense that the violence was politically and not culturally or religiously motivated. Issues raised include: the abduction and rehabilitation of women and children; the differing experiences of elite and subaltern classes; the memories of refugee convoys and camps; the hazards of border crossing; and the nostalgia for pre-Partition bonds between Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus.