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104
ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : APRIL-JUNE 2005 / 537 NS
to the studies.
ASSAMESE STUDIES
Punjab and Assam are the two Indian states, besides Jammu and
Kashmir, which are ‘storm centres’. Buranji literature preserves Assam
identity but contains few references about Punjab and Sikh history.
Assamese literature mentions Guru Nanak’s visit to Kamrup along
with Mardana. The story of Nur Shah through her magic spell
converting Mardana into sheep and Guru bringing him back to human
form is mentioned. Banikanta Kakati, Lakshminath Bezbarua,
Harichandra Bhattacharya, Shashikanta Gogoi, Dhaniram Datta, Phula
Singh Chhetri (an Assamese Sikh) are among the Assamese authors
covered in the survey. The last author ‘provided a distinct regional
flavour to Assamese Sikh studies. Jayanti, a literary magazine, evaluates
Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a ‘Nationalist hero’ whereas an anonymous
writer holds him responsible for the ‘fall of empire’. Arunodoi published
from Sibsagar by American Baptist Mission, has a special link with
Sikh studies. Gurdwara reforms movement by the Akalis, resignation
of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh, ruler of Nabha, and a few Sikhs ready
to die to protect the integrity of Assam, find mention. There is a
rumour that a Sikh Battalion courted death fighting for the Ahom
king to defend the freedom of Assam. Bezbarua had high regard for
Guru Nanak, but was critical of Ranjit Singh! Assamese Sikhs keep
kesh and wear turban with some modification. Sikhs have married
Assamese girls, and are absorbed in that milieu. While returning from
Assam as a Captain in 1960, my Taxi driver Inder Singh told me in
chaste Punjabi that he had married an Assamese girl, and had settled
there for more than two decades.
ORIYA SIKHS
The author starts with history. Guru Nanak in his eastern Udasi
came to Puri, and composed his famous shabad, Gagan mai thal in
Dhanasri raag. He passed through Cuttack, where Dantan Sahib
Gurdwara is situated. There is also a locality called Guru Nanak Dihi.
Guru Nanak lives in Oriya folk tradition also. In the seventeenth
century, Sikhs came to Patna as traders, and later the city became a
pilgrimage center as birth place of Guru Gobind Singh. Harimandir
here is one of the five takhts. ‘Na Anka’, the famine, decimated one