The book begins with Guru Nanak and his ideas including achievements as understood by historians. Chapter one concedes that the great Guru stood for the lower sections of the society. In his attitude towards God and humanity he was Catholic and his Gurbani has enriched the Punjabi language and literature through Sakhis and sangat institution. The Military political success of the Singhs or Khalsa by the 18th century gave a new dimension to Sikh organization and ideology. Persian language and declining Mughal polity led to the emergence of militant Sikh ideas and literature having local and communal shades. The feudal Sikh Sardars or nobles turned out to politically ambitious and isolated from the masses. Their spiritual and cultural degeneration was noticed by the founders of Nirankar and Namdhari Movements by 1940s. The book refers to the decline and revival also. The annexation of Punjab by the British in 1849 enabled the Christian Missions to enter Punjab openly because the Missionary endeavours were patronized by the administration  under John Lawrence and Montegomery. a The Punjab School of Administration and the uprising of 1857 produced in Punjab an educational and intellectual atmosphere that deepened the difference among the communities as well as between the Britishers and Indians. The region of Punjab was treated by the British after 1868 as if it was a labour market to get recruited the imperial army. (jacket)