Contents: I. The five symbols of Sikhism: 1. The semiological method of study. 2. Symbols, sects and initiations. 3. The Sikh initiation and its five symbols. 4. Sikhism and Hinduism. II. The elementary structure of medievalism: 1. The Hindu culture of medieval India. 2. The Muslim culture of medieval India. III. Sikhism and Islam: philosophy of religion: 1. The problem of Sikhism and Islam. 2. Theology of the first Guru. 3. The life of the first Guru, 1469-1539. 4. The tenth Guru. 5. An Indian Muslim view today. IV. Sikhism and Islam: history and society: 1. The relational oppositions. 2. Martyrdom versus kingdom: the fifth Guru. 3. After Anandpur, AD 1699. 4. An historian's view, c. 1500-1947. 5. Pluralism and civil society. V. Martyrdom, non-violence and revolution: 1. Non-violence and Gandhism. 2. Martyrdom and revolution. VI. Texts and rites of the daily divine service: 1. Guru-granth: 2. Guru-khalsa. 3. The catechism of Bhai Nand Lal. 4. Resurrection of the congregation: Ardas. References cited. Index.

"Religion, civil society and the state form the three dimensions of this semiological study of Sikhism.

"Uberoi first explains the underlying structure of medievalism in both Hindu and Muslim cultures, and then undertakes and examination of the period of collaboration between Sikhism and Gandhism (1920-25) after the revolution of Islam in Iran. The figure of the martyr is seen to be an integral part of Sikhism, Gandhism and Shia Islam.

"The book then argues for a recognition, among students of human culture, of the figure of the martyr--whose victory is over the 'self'--rather than the figure of the hero--whose victory is over the 'other'--or the victim, as the universal foundation of civil society." (jacket)

[J.P.S. Uberoi has authored The Other Mind of Europe : Goethe as a Scientist.]