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104ABSTRACTS OF SIKH STUDIES : JAN-MARCH <strong>2006</strong> / 537-38 NSREVIEWSMAIN CURRENTS OF FREEDOM STRUGGLEIN PUNJABA REVIEW BY GURMIT SINGH*Author : Prithipal Singh Kapur.Publisher : Director, Information & Public Relations Department, Govt <strong>of</strong> PunjabPages : 213+; Price : not mentionedIt is said that if you want to eliminate the identity <strong>of</strong> a people,then push them out <strong>of</strong> the pages <strong>of</strong> history. This subtle technique isbeing used in India against the <strong>Sikh</strong> people by distorting their historyand denying their contribution to the struggle against the British. Thebook under review is a good effort to put the record straight bynarrating the valuable contributions made by the <strong>Sikh</strong>s in this regard.According to the author, the freedom-loving Punjabis started thestruggle from the day Punjab was annexed by the British in 1849. Itspecially mentions the names <strong>of</strong> those who adorn the pages <strong>of</strong> historyas pioneers <strong>of</strong> this struggle. The first freedom fighter <strong>of</strong> Punjab wasMaharani Jind Kaur, the youngest consort <strong>of</strong> Maharaja Ranjit Singh,who was a woman <strong>of</strong> extraordinary courage and determination. Atthe time <strong>of</strong> annexation <strong>of</strong> the Punjab, she was the guardian <strong>of</strong> herminor son, Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last <strong>Sikh</strong> ruler. When theBritish Government in India made a suggestion to her that the Britishforces should be stationed at Lahore during the minority <strong>of</strong> MaharajaDuleep Singh, she demanded “The forces be confined to just tworegiments <strong>of</strong> infantry, one <strong>of</strong> cavalry and a battery <strong>of</strong> artillery formaintenance <strong>of</strong> Public order.” However, she was allegedly involvedin the ‘Prema conspiracy case’ which was aimed at killing <strong>of</strong> theBritish resident at Lahore and his stooge, Lal Singh, who was* Dr, # 701, Phase 2, SAS Nagar, Mohali