ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>SIKH JOURNALISM</TITLE> <style type="text/css"> .BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;} .C1{text-align: justify;color: #0066CC;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .CONT{text-align: right;color: #FF0000;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} </style><META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="SIKH,JOURNALISM"> <META http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></HEAD> <BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"> <FONT ALIGN="JUSTIFY" FACE="Tahoma"> <p class="C1">&#65279SIKH JOURNALISM, tracing its beginnings to the latter half of the nineteenth century was influenced in its founding and evolution primarliy by two factors : institution-building in Sikhism with a view to defending itself and restating its principles, and the Sikhs' confrontation with the aggressive &#256rya Sam&#257j over the question of whether the Sikhs were just another sect within Hinduism. It was a period when the Sikhs faced a crisis of identity occasioned by a strong sense of militancy among the numerous sects and religions and a concomitant set of pressures arising from the demands of modernization. The consequent attempts at revitalizing the community resulted in the evolution of Sikh journalism, besides several other institutions such as the Si&#7749gh Sabh&#257s, schools, orphanages, theological study groups and ultimately, in 1902, the Chief <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n, which defended Sikhism and reaffirmed Sikh beliefs. Thus the impetus for starting newspapers and magazines came from the need to circulate news and opinion within the community, and they did serve, apart from playing an important role in communication and mobilizing Sikh resources, as an instrument of warning the Sikhs of any danger and as a means of combating the claims of opponents. Although not the first to appear, the Sikh periodicals soon outnumbered those sponsored and patronized by other groups, and by 1912 approximately thirty journals and newspapers owned by and/or concerned primarily with Sikh affairs had appeared.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Most of the Sikh periodicals were written either in Punjabi or Urdu. They were weekly or monthly papers with sporadic bulletins and supplements. All of them had almost a similar format ---a page of scripture, an editorial, a signed article on a subject of importance, local news and a column of letters from the readers. Those sponsored by an institution served, generally, a social and/or religious cause whereas those financed and sponsored by an individual reflected, alongside, the immediate concern of the patron. For example, the <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Dharam Park&#257shak Shuddh&#299 Pattar</i> (1896), a monthly paper in Gurmukh&#299 script sponsored by the Lahore Shuddh&#299 Sabh&#257, focussed on conversions and missionary efforts. The <i>Dukh Niv&#257ra&#7751</i> (1906), another monthly paper in Punjabi, was sponsored by Mohan Si&#7749gh Vaid and served as a means of advocating the use of Gurmukh&#299. Similarly, Bh&#257&#299 Ta<u>kh</u>at Si&#7749gh started <i>P&#363nj&#257b&#299 Bhai&#7751</i> (1907) to propagate women's education and improvement of family life ideas so dear to his heart. Several Sikhs rulers owned or heavily subsidized some newspapers, journals, and these papers paid particular interest to news relating to the patron's state and projected his viewpoint. <i>N&#257nak Prak&#257sh Kap&#363rthal&#257</i> (1887), a monthly edited by B&#257w&#257 Arjan Si&#7749gh and financed by the Mah&#257r&#257j&#257 of Kap&#363rthal&#257, was one such paper. <i>Pa&#7789i&#257l&#257 A<u>kh</u>b&#257r</i> (1880), a weekly which ran until the early 1900's and actively supported the Council of Regency of Pa&#7789i&#257l&#257 state, is another illustration of the close link between newspapers and princely politics.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial uncertainty accounted for the rapid fall of Sikh periodicals prior to 1900. Except for a few notable papers, journals usually disappeared within two or three years. Newspapers ran on slim budgets and since the number of educated Sikhs was relatively small, they had limited circulations ranging between 100-500. Accordingly, when interest in the cause waned or when circulations dropped off, the papers suspended operations, to reappear again if circumstances permitted.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The first major journal which devoted itself to the Sikh cause was <i>&#256ft&#257b-i-Pañj&#257b</i>, a bi-weekly publication in Urdu begun in 1866 by D&#299w&#257n B&#363&#7789&#257 Si&#7749gh, later vice-president of the Lahore Si&#7749gh Sabh&#257, who encouraged reform efforts and Sikh creative writings. Although the regularity of publication and circulation of the paper fluctuated, it reached an audience of around 500. The <i>&#256ft&#257b-i-Pañj&#257b</i> had numerous editorial changes, with Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims at one time or another heading the staff. A Muslim editor, Faq&#299r Muhammad, gave leadership at an early stage in the paper's history (1872-1880). The editorial policy of the newspaper remained reasonably consistent. It supported cow protection, mildly criticized British administration, called on Sikhs to be loyal to the government, and usually sided with attempts to remove Hindu accretions from the Sikh faith. Much of its news came either from cuttings from English and other vernacular journals, or from a string of district correspondents. The newspaper's experience points to another feature of Sikh journalism ---the interlocking nature of publishing enterprises. In addition to printing the paper, the <i>&#256ft&#257b-i-Pañj&#257b</i> Press produced an assortment of Gurmukh&#299 books on various Sikh matters and eventually a second journal, <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Prak&#257sh</i> (1891), a weekly Gurmukh&#299 paper, with approximately 250 subscribers, which ran until 1899. The <i>&#256ft&#257b-i-Pañj&#257b</i> was followed by <i>A<u>kh</u>b&#257r Sr&#299 Darb&#257r S&#257hib</i> which was started from Amritsar in 1867 by two Sahajdh&#257r&#299 Sikhs, Munsh&#299 Har&#299 Narai&#7751 and Phir&#257i&#257 L&#257l. This fortnightly paper was perhaps the first newspaper to appear in Punjabi. Besides giving the Sikh and the national news, it carried advertisements from big commercial establishments, too. Since Gurmukh&#299 type was still not available in Amritsar, it was printed from hand-written copy.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fervour and dedication surrounding the Lahore Si&#7749gh Sabh&#257 generated a major series of newspapers closely associated with the local organization. Bh&#257&#299 Gurmukh Si&#7749gh (1849-1898), a Sikh reformist and Professor of Punjabi at the Oriental College at Lahore, founded <i>Vidy&#257 Prach&#257rak</i> and <i>Gurmukh&#299 A<u>kh</u>b&#257r</i> (1880) in order to foster Sikh education and Punjabi as a literary language. While the former collapsed soon, the latter ran till 1895 and widely influenced the Sikh intelligentsia. In 1883, Gurmukh Si&#7749gh joined with Bh&#257&#299 Jha&#7751&#7693&#257 Si&#7749gh and Bh&#257&#299 Ditt Si&#7749gh to establish the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Press and <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 A<u>kh</u>b&#257r</i> (1883), a weekly newspaper in Punjabi. With Ditt Si&#7749gh and Bh&#257&#299 Mayy&#257 Si&#7749gh as editors, the paper became the chief spokesman for the reformist elements within the community. After suffering a temporary setback resulting from a libel suit, the paper rebounded and built up a loyal following of around 1,000 regular readers. The paper ceased publication in 1905. Some of the other papers of this period were <i>Si&#7749gh Sabh&#257 Gazette</i> in Punjabi (1892), <i>Lyall Gazette, Vidy&#257rk</i> in Punjabi (1881), <i>Gurmukh&#299 Akhb&#257r</i> (1880), <i>Hamdard-i-<u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> (1899), <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Akhb&#257r</i> (1883), <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Bah&#257dar</i> in Urdu (1897), <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Sam&#257ch&#257r</i> in Punjabi (1899), <i>Pañj&#257b Darpa&#7751</i> in Punjabi (1885), <i>Si&#7749gh Sabh&#257 Gazette</i> in Punjabi (1892), and <i>Sr&#299 Gurmat Parch&#257r</i> in Punjabi (1892).</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By the turn of the century, literary efforts and news coverage had become an essential part of the public life of the Sikhs. The fiery prose and sensitive issues highlighted by Ditt Si&#7749gh, who was a noted scholar and revelled in argument, never yielding to anybody a point in polemics, directly affected a new generation of leaders such as Bh&#257&#299 V&#299r Si&#7749gh and Sundar Si&#7749gh Maj&#299&#7789h&#299&#257 who took up the mantle of reform and moved forward to strengthen Sikh institutions.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Sikhs were now moving into a highly dynamic phase of institution-building, in which education, militant defence of their faith and extensive publication received prominence. Experience gained by the editors and proprietors and increase in the audience which incidentally also meant increase in income as a result of the efforts made in the past for the spread of education were two other variables which influenced press activism. Besides, several fresh developments occurred almost simultaneously. Amritsar joined Lahore as a nexus for Sikh institutions and publication. Bh&#257&#299 V&#299r Si&#7749gh influenced many of the events which underlay the evolution of the Amritsar enterprises. Apart from providing leadership to the Chief <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n, he set up, in 1892, the Waz&#299r-i-Hind Press which became the primary source for Punjabi literature during the coming decades. The Press took up the publication of innumerable books and tracts on Sikhism many of which were written and edited by Bh&#257&#299 V&#299r Si&#7749gh who, in 1894, helped found the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Tract Society in order to produce small, cheap volumes on theology and social topics. Statistics from the Society's 1902 report indicate that it had published almost 200 titles and distributed half a million copies. The final building block in Bh&#257&#299 V&#299r Si&#7749gh's effort to revitalize Sikhism involved the creation of an Amritsar-based newspaper. His <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Sam&#257ch&#257r</i> (1899), which has survived to this day, soon became a rallying point for pan-Punjab Sikh activities. Its editorials and detailed news reports played a major role in spreadingi Sikh programmes on a unified, regular basis. Another important Sikh newspaper was <i>Panth</i>, a fortnightly in Punjabi, issued from Gujr&#257&#7749w&#257l&#257 by L&#257l Si&#7749gh. Two more newspapers of note were the <i>B&#257r</i> (1907), a Punjabi weekly published from Lyallpur and edited by Kirp&#257l Si&#7749gh, which gave news on agrarian problems, besides lobbying for patronage of rural Sikhs, and the <i>Ramga&#7771h&#299&#257 Patr&#299k&#257</i>, a Punjabi weekly published from Lahore, which contained caste news and general commentary on social reform and local issues.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;English language journals also became quite popular in Sikh circles. The <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> (1899), a weekly newspaper in English, founded by Bhagat Lakshman Si&#7749gh, demonstrated within its brief span of a little more than two years the Sikhs' determination to reach not only the Western-educated members of the community but also other Punjabis and Englishmen who did not read Punjabi. In 1903, a group of Sikhs headed by Bh&#257&#299 Jodh Si&#7749gh established another English weekly, <i>The <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Advocate</i> (1903). Acknowledged as one of the most important English medium newspapers, it gained a circulation of over 1,000 and served as a spokesman for the Chief <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n, leading discussions on current Sikh issues. Another English weekly, published by Bh&#257&#299 Sohan Si&#7749gh from Gujr&#257&#7749w&#257l&#257, was <i>The Sikhs and Sikhism</i> (1903).</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The major concerns of the period, beginning with 1860's when Sikh journalism had its humble beginning and ending with the turn of the century, were rebuilding Sikh identity and further developing Sikh style of life and organization. During this period Sikh journalism moved from experimentation, uncertainty and the survival of only a handful of newspapers to a new plateau characterized by sustained publication and an accepted role in the Sikh life. This process produced an effective news and propaganda network for the Sikh community.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One final trend appeared in the early 1900's which foreshadowed a major redirection in Sikh journalistic efforts. Until than, Sikh commentators had generally been loyal to the British. Newspapers sometimes criticized specific official actions, but always in a subdued tone. Constitutional reform and the spectre of separate electorates based on sectarian affiliation raised questions of how to organize and gain political influence. Immediate issues such as control of Sikh institutions (most importantly the internal operation of the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 College and supervision of <i>gurdw&#257r&#257s</i>) brought them into conflict with a government hitherto considered benevolent. The natural consequence was political commentary and a crescendo of hostile writing on British administration. Leaving aside the shrill call to revolution of <u>Gh</u>adr writers in America, the shift in emphasis and tone of Sikh journalism did not occur suddenly. The time tested network of tract societies and newspapers stood ready, and when the dual explosion of Jalli&#257&#7749v&#257l&#257 B&#257<u>gh</u> and Gur&#363 k&#257 B&#257<u>gh</u> thrust Sikhs into a new era of political experience, Sikh journalism came to the forefront making a decisive shift from self-criticism and socio-religious discussion to active political participation .</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A new breed of newspapers arose in response to the needs and demands of the community. Between 1922 and 1933, at least 20 radical Sikh periodicals waged verbal war against the British government and opponents within the community. Many were prosecuted, banned, or driven out of circulation by heavy security demand. Others managed to survive, primarily because of their widespread popularity and also because of management's ability to keep one step ahead of the censor and the judicial system. The <i>Ak&#257l&#299</i>, started in 1920, and its various associated newspapers, symbolized this phase of militant journalism.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A handful of Sikh activists founded a series of newspapers in late 1922 and early 1923. The Urdu <i>Ak&#257l&#299</i>, with circulation ranging from 2,000 to 10,000, received financial aid from the Shiroma&#7751&#299 Gurdw&#257r&#257 Parbandhak Committee and published a crescendo of denunciations against both the British and anti-Sikh forces. Several of its 1924 numbers were banned and, in the following decade, its various editors and registered proprietors underwent as many as twelve trials for publishing sedition or creating public disturbance. Master T&#257r&#257 Si&#7749gh, a prominent Ak&#257l&#299, was acknowledged as a major force behind the paper. He also was associated with a Gurmukh&#299 version of the <i>Ak&#257l&#299</i> and its sister concern, <i>Ak&#257l&#299 te Pardes&#299</i>. Almost no year passed without at least one fresh prosecution of the <i>Ak&#257l&#299 te Pardes&#299</i> staff and, although security demands frequently led to its temporary suspension, the paper kept emerging with new registered proprietors and the same militant message. Sikhs demanded control of their institutions and political future. The <i>Ak&#257l&#299</i> and similar papers such as <i>Panth Sev&#257k</i>, political spokesman for Sikhs, opposed the Chief Kh&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n's moderation. The anti-Ak&#257l&#299 forces developed their own chain of journals, such as the <i>San&#257tan Sikh</i>, (a Gurmukh&#299 weekly from Amritsar), and the <i>Sikh Sudh&#257r</i>, an Urdu journal from Amritsar that supported organizations opposed to the Ak&#257l&#299 Dal. The relatively short lives of such papers, however, mirrored the inability of publications to continue indefinitely without substantial support from the Sikh public.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Although radical politics and polemics dominated Sikh journalism during the 1920's, two other trends were also apparent. First, the earlier tendency for factions and organizations among Sikhs to publish periodicals continued and even intensified. Nira&#7749k&#257r&#299s, N&#257mdh&#257r&#299s, and organizations deemed heretical, such as the Pa&#7749ch <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n of Bhasau&#7771, had their organs of propaganda. The latter, for example, sponsored the <i>Pañch <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Sam&#257ch&#257r</i> and its successors, while the Central M&#257lv&#257 <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n published the weekly <i>Krip&#257n Bah&#257dur</i>. Secondly, the diversity and numerous activities among Sikhs led to the appearance of specialized newspapers. The <i>Gurdw&#257r&#257 Gazette</i>, sponsored by the Shiroma&#7751&#299 Gurdw&#257r&#257 Parbandhak Committee, focussed on news, elections, and administrative arrangements within Sikh shrines, while several papers, such as the <i>Gurmat</i>, a weekly Gurmukh&#299 newspaper owned by the Gurmat Tract Society, Lahore, tended to print essentially scriptural and religious articles. Sikh Br&#257hma&#7751s, Khatr&#299s and other social networks had newspapers, with the most voluminous assortment emanating from the R&#257mga&#7771h&#299&#257 community. Between 1922 and 1942, at least ten different R&#257mga&#7771h&#299&#257 newspapers and periodicals appeard, sometimes with general news and political commentary, but more often serving as a channel of communication among R&#257mga&#7771h&#299&#257 families. A more secular and cosmopolitan approach to journalism could be found in two new publications, <i>Mauj&#299</i> and <i>Phulw&#257&#7771&#299. Mauj&#299</i> (1931), a Gurmukh&#299 weekly published first in Amritsar and later in Lahore, featured satire, humour, commentary, and critical essays modelled after those in the English <i>Punch. Phulw&#257&#7771&#299</i> (1931), a monthly specializing in social, literary and political commentary, evolved from a narrow and essentially political focus to a broad-based journal prominent among educated Sikhs who appreciated its range of concerns. Edited by H&#299r&#257 Si&#7749gh Dard, <i>Phulw&#257&#7771&#299</i> set new standards of Punjabi prose and served as a major sounding board for Sikh intellectuals. Some of the most important essays by Sikh historians and theologians were first printed in <i>Phulw&#257&#7771&#299</i>.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once the turmoil surrounding the period of reforms subsided in approximately 1920, Sikh journalism entered a relatively calm phase of growth. Although the total number of journals remained relatively stationary, in the range of 40 to 50 annually, the editors and titles of periodicals changed frequently. Many newspapers appeared briefly, developed a subscription list around 300 to 600, stumbled financially, and then either disappeared or merged with another journal. Important papers such as the <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Sam&#257ch&#257r, Fateh, Mauj&#299, Phulw&#257&#7771&#299</i>, and the <i><u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Sewak</i> (a controversial daily from Amritsar with the redoubtable editor and politician Gi&#257ni Sher Si&#7749gh at its back) provided continuity, as did specialized ventures such as <i>Nirgu&#7751&#299&#257r&#257, Gurdw&#257r&#257 Gazette</i>, and an assortment of college or educational magazines. Most Sikh papers tended to be in Gurmukh&#299, but Urdu held its own as a major literary language for the community. In 1942, some of the Sikh newspapers and journals in Urdu were <i>Aj&#299t, <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 V&#299r, Ga&#7771gajj, Punjab Gazette</i> and <i>R&#257jp&#363t Qaum&#299 Prak&#257sh</i>. The longest lived and most influential Sikh newspaper in Urdu has been the <i>Sher-i-Pañj&#257b</i> which after 1947 moved to Delhi and is still in existence. While Lahore and Amritsar served as publication centres for Sikhs as well as for other Punjabis, Sikh journalists and presses were dispersed throughout central Punjab in district towns such as F&#299rozpur, Amb&#257l&#257, Ludhi&#257&#7751&#257 and Jalandhar. The content of such a broad network of journals varied with the sponsoring group (or proprietor) and circumstances. For example, major concerns included ongoing political problems (such as defence of Sikh interests in the armed forces, the census, and elections), social issues, and special incidents such as the firing at S&#299sgañj and controversy over the Shah&#299dgañj Gurdw&#257r&#257. Earlier preoccupation with Hindu opponents tended to be replaced with overt conflict with the Muslim majority in Punjab. In additon, because of the large rural and agrarian composition of the Sikh population, peasant issues received attention either in editorials or in the form of particular journals (for example, <i>Kirt&#299</i>, a Gurmukh&#299 and Urdu paper affiliated with the Punjab Communist Party). Propagation of Punjabi and enrichment of Punjabi literature also constituted common themes.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indian independence and consequent partition of the country in 1947 resulted in the dislocation of a segment of Sikh journals and opened yet another era of challenge and change. Sikh newspapermen adjusted to the altered conditions and led both in rehabilitation efforts and the mounting demand for creation of a predominantly Sikh state. The journalists and publications of the community thus had come full circle. Sikh journalism initially had arisen in response to the problems of defining Sikhism and protecting Sikh rights and institutions. After 1947, the same concerns once again came to the forefront in an independent India. The success of Punjabi S&#363b&#257, the further legitimization of Punjabi as an official and literary language, and the strengthened foundation of the Sikh religion owe much to the vigorous leadership and energy of a vigilant press.</p> </font> <p class="BIB"> BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> S&#363b&#257 Si&#7749gh, <i>Pañj&#257b&#299 Pattark&#257r&#299 d&#257 Itih&#257s</i>. Chandigarh, 1974<BR> <li class="C1"> Harbans Singh, <i>Aspects of Punjabi Literature</i>. F&#299rozpur, 1961<BR> <li class="C1"> Barrier, N. Gerald, <i>The Sikhs and Their Literature</i>. Delhi, 1970<BR> <li class="C1">-and Paul Wallace, <i>'The Punjab Press, 1880-1905</i>. East Lansing, 1971<BR> </ol><p class="CONT">N. G. Barrier<br></p><BR> </font><img src="counter.aspx" width="1px" height="1px" alt=""></HTML></BODY>