ABOUT US

ਬਾਬਾਣੀਆ ਕਹਾਣੀਆ ਪੁਤ ਸਪੁਤ ਕਰੇਨਿ ॥

The legendary stories of the ancestors, transform good children into extraordinary children.

Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, Sri Guru Granth Sahib – Ang 951

Although there are many Sikh history books available today, very few give an honest, unedited, unbiased and complete translation of puraatan Sikh history.

WHAT IS PURAATAN SIKH HISTORY?

There are many priceless eye witness and traditional accounts of our history that exist from the times of the Gurus (1469-1708), through the period of the original Khalsa (1700s), to the early period of the British Raj (1800s) when it was deemed necessary to preserve our history before it was changed or forgotten.

Due to egotistical differences in opinions, practices, beliefs and code of conduct; many confusing and manipulated versions of our history have emerged today.

In the early 1900s it was the British educated and employed Sikhs, who had access to wealth and modern resources i.e. the printing press. Their innovative groups dominated the propagation of edited Sikh history, which reflected to their personal agenda.

As a result, a huge tract of Khalsa culture, bravery, heroics, strategy, politics, events and personalities; has either been forgotten or massively diluted.

In the early 1900s it was the British educated and employed Sikhs, who had access to wealth and modern resources i.e. the printing press. Their innovative groups dominated the propagation of edited Sikh history, which accorded to their personal agenda.

As a result, a huge tract of Khalsa culture, bravery, heroics, strategy, politics, events and personalities; has either been forgotten or massively diluted.

WHERE IS OUR HISTORY HIDING?

To date, after 150 years of English speaking Sikh Academia, less than 10% of our original ithihaas (history) has been correctly translated. This is inexcusable. Some give the excuse that there are various biases and influences in our original history, and conclude therefore that the academics of the day are performing a great service by only sharing with the Sikh world, that which ‘this small circle of people’ think is the truth. And even that which is shared, in most cases, is ‘manipulated’.

We are blessed in this era, to still have access to many of our historical granths. Some of these are Puraatan Janam Sakhian, Gur-Sobha, Gurbilas 6, Gurbilas 10, Mahima Parkaash, Sikhan di Bhagatmala, Pracheen Panth Prakaash, Tvareek Guru Khalsa and the magnum opus: Surya Prataap.

In 400 years of historical writing, the Sikh sangat was respected and given the freedom to decipher fact from fiction. This trend should never have stopped. It is the birthright of every single Sikh to have full access to ‘their’ inherited original Sikh history, which was actively propagated in pre-colonial times and therefore created a community of true Intellects, Saints and Warriors.

We are blessed in this era, to still have access to many of our historical granths. Some of these are Puraatan Janam Sakhian, Gur-Sobha, Gurbilas 6, Gurbilas 10, Mahima Parkaash, Sikhan di Bhagatmala, Pracheen Panth Prakaash, Tvareek Guru Khalsa and the magnum opus: Surya Prataap.

In 400 years of historical writing, the Sikh sangat was respected and given the freedom to decipher fact from fiction. This trend should never have stopped. It is the birthright of every single Sikh to have full access to ‘their’ inherited original Sikh history, which was actively propagated in pre-colonial times and therefore created a community of true Intellects, Saints and Warriors.

HOW CAN I TELL WHAT IS FACT FROM FICTION?

Many use this as an excuse to NOT do their own khoj (research), yet the word ‘Sikh’ means student, learner and questioner. We have become a community of people who like to be spoon fed, yet retain the choice of ‘whose’ spoon we would like to be fed by. Guru has instructed Sikhs to develop ‘bibek budhi’ meaning ‘discerning intellect’. We should exercise this principle with humility and without fear. How? By ensuring our exploration and decisions are based on gurmat (not personal bias or fear of social exclusion). How can we ensure that? We follow one simple rule – Gurbani vs Puraatan Ithihaas vs Puraatan Rehit.

GURBAANI

PURAATAN ITHIHAAS

PURAATAN REHIT

We reconcile all 3 within each other and against each other i.e. validate understanding of gurbaani by ensuring it does not contradict other gurbaani. Same for ithihaas and rehits. We then reconcile all 3 against each other.

We have found this formula to work brilliantly (and this is what old school parchaaraks did). Guru’s truth exists in all 3 formats. Ithihaas is a physical manifestation of the written gurbaani, the karni of the parni (turning words into actions). To understand gurbaani we must be able to see how it manifests – i.e. via sakhian (historical stories).

WHY IS TURIYA TELLING US THIS?

Lastly, we believe in ‘empowering’ the Guru Khalsa Sangat. The Guruship was passed to the Guru Granth and the Khalsa Panth. The practicing Sangat is what we recognise as the Panth. Not the ocean of celebrity Sant/Gyaani/Parchaarak personalities and Jathai which are vying for control of the Sangat’s minds. We truly believe that when the ‘Sangat’ is empowered with the gyaan of baani and true ithihaas, it will change the fortunes of the Khalsa Panth.

START YOUR JOURNEY INTO AUTHENTIC HISTORY

We pray you will all support and take advantage of our small seva. No one in Turiya is paid. All seva is voluntary.

Every single penny from sales, goes towards the massive task of getting our huge bank of ithihaas translated by qualified linguists who are also ‘independent’ practicing Sikhs. Majority of the publishing costs are borne by us sevadaars from our own dasvandh and from a few kind supporters of Turiya who get in touch with us.

Begin your journey of discovering your AUTHENTIC Sikh history right here…