The Story Of The Sikhs

With his faithful companion, Mardana the minstrel in tow, Nanak sets out on a series of journeys that will last for decades and will bring him to wondrous places as he develops bold new ideas and creates the institutions which will ensure their propagation and survival. Nanak fearlessly confronts superstition and ritualism as he travels to the storied places of worship of his time.

Nanak travels to the far reaches of the Eastern Himalayas, where he is hailed as Nanak Rimpoche, an emanation of the Buddhist sage Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim. After his return to his homeland, he dons the garb of a Muslim pilgrim and sets out on the ancient Indo-Egyptian trade route to journey to Mecca. This will be his last great journey and on his return he will establish the town of Kartarpur.

Guru Nanak settles down in Kartarpur, initiating a period of institutional development that will last for almost two centuries. The task of giving shape to a new world religion has begun. As the time approaches for Guru Nanak to depart, he anoints one of his beloved followers, Angad as the next Guru, ensuring that the fledgling faith he has created will survive and thrive.

Guru Angad nurtures the faith that his late master entrusted him with, giving the gift of music to his followers and creating a new script for the preservation of the sacred writings of the Sikhs. In the tradition of Guru Nanak, he chooses Amardas, his humblest and most faithful disciple to succeed him as the next Guru, bypassing his own sons.

Guru Amardas receives the Mughal Emperor Akbar who humbly seeks his blessings. Finding his son-in-law, Ramdas to be loyal, humble and worthy, Guru Amardas decides to anoint him as the next Guru. Pleased with the devotion of his daughter, Bibi Bhani, Guru Amardas makes a prophecy which will have far reaching consequences for the faith.

Guru Ramdas establishes Ramdaspur, which will go on to become Amritsar, the greatest center of the Sikh faith. Guru Ramdas is plagued by the ill-will that his oldest son, Prithi Chand harbors towards Arjan, his youngest. Because of his faithfulness and devotion, Arjan is exalted to succeed his father as Guru, much to his older brother’s chagrin.

Guru Arjan establishes the Har Mandar Sahib, popularly known as The Golden Temple, which will become the most prominent place of worship for the Sikh faith and a symbol of its endurance. The Guru’s wife, Mata Ganga, distraught at being childless is sent to seek the blessing of Bhai Buddha, a venerable old Sikh, who has served the faith from the time of Guru Nanak.

Guru Arjan, in his crowning achievement, creates the Guru Granth Sahib, the egalitarian scripture of the Sikhs, with contributions from the Sikh Gurus as well as enlightened souls from other faiths. Prithi Chand tries to convince the Emperor Akbar that Guru Arjan’s new scripture is blasphemous and disrespectful of Islam and Hinduism.

From the tragic martyrdom of Guru Arjan rises a great institution that will forever define the character of Sikhs and Sikhism. The poignant story of Guru Arjan and his beloved disciple the Sufi saint Miyan Mir.

Our very distinctive title music is an excerpt from a shabad or hymn, sung by the Bhai Avtar Singh, one of the most distinguished Sikh Ragis or minstrels of modern times. In this bonus episode of The Story of the Sikhs Sarbpreet Singh reminisces about the legend who touched so many hearts through his beautiful music and the extraordinary warmth of his personality.

During the holy month of Ramadan a group of Muslims embody the values of the Sikh faith with a breathtaking act of solidarity and compassion.

The Guru's Huqm or word, provides comfort on a difficult day.

A musical feast that examines the  singing of Raga Basant and other melodies of the spring in the Sikh Sacred Music tradition.

A sneak preview of Season 2

A reflection on the Christchurch mosque attacks 

The Camel Merchant of Philadelphia is  writer/narrator Sarbpreet Singh's new book about the court of Maharajah Ranjit Singh. This episode is about the book and his recent tour of India.

The Guru returns to Amritsar after his exile in Gwalior and his family grows and flourishes. One of his young sons, Atal Rai, learns a difficult lesson about deference to the will of the divine.