ITIHAS

VIRSAW

The first phase of this project VIRSAW would comprise of not only the preservation of historical texts and penning down new facts but also the analysis of old and new source material, the intellectual challenges being thrown up before to the Panth, tracing the reasons behind queries being raised about our history and religion as part of a deep conspiracy and the literature being published by other religious organizations:-
V - Verification
I - Investigation
R - Research
S - Screening (of)
A - Artefacts (and)
W - Writings
As part of this phase, we will search, preserve and analyze all the texts related to Sikh history and religion. The importance of this work lies in the fact that the current Sikh youth is in a state of confusion in matters related to his HISTORICAL, cultural and traditional identity. The blame for this precarious state of affairs lies with the people who are producing literature devoid of facts; especially in the absence of a Central Sikh Historical Facts Verification Organization. Our religious organizations and leaders are not devoting the requisite amount of time, energy and resources to this task.
THE CAUSES:-
1. The main reasons for this precarious situation include the lack of knowledge about rare and authentic source material related to Sikh religion, history and culture among the Sikh masses and the youth in particular. For example, let us take a look back into the Singh Sabha movement and into the literary output of its founder Gyani Ditt Singh ji who wrote nearly 70 books and edited 2-3 newspapers during his lifetime. This corpus of literature gives us enough authentic source material to deal with intractable issues like the nefarious activities (then and now) of Arya samaj, gurudom, etc. Unfortunately, a large body of this literature is not easily available now and is dumped in dark corners of universities and academies or is rotting in some private collections.
2.  The Sikh masses are completely in the dark about the real causes even behind tragedies which are only some decades old like, the Partition of Punjab, Punjabi Suba Morcha, The genocides of June 1984 and November 1984. The main problem lies in the Panth not preserving the source material related to these tragedies.
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES LIE IN
A. Digitalizing the source material text/ audio/ video using the latest cameras and scanners and publishing it on the internet.
B.We have already launched a website (www.itihas.net) for this task. We will upload the digitized material on the site and it will be available to anyone, anywhere, anytime, free of cost. You only need to register at the site with your email ID.
C.Besides publishing the original text  online, we will give its bibliographic details, its analysis as per Gurmat philosophy and bring to fore the incorrect facts/ events that might have become a part of the text to create confusion by some later writers advertently/ inadvertently.
D.We will also endeavour to publish the first-hand experiences of people (text/ audio/ video) of people who are witness to contemporary social/ cultural/ political and religious events having an impact on the Sikh Panth.
                    As part of the project we will collect and analyze the writings published in various newspapers, magazines and tracts (irrespective of language) and divide them under suitable subject headings. Volunteers willing to collaborate with us will be give subjects as per their interest areas. We will work as per the adage:

“If you do what you like, you never really work. Your work is your interesting play.”

The subjects awarded to research assistants can be added/ deducted depending on the workload and other constraints. You can also record and publish the audio/ video recordings of eye-witnesses/ experts related to your subject area.

People participating in various online groups and social networking groups can intimate us about anything related to Sikh history/ religion which they would like to preserve digitally and share with the masses. People living in far-flung areas who do not have access to internet can hand over the information to us physically and we would reimburse you the travelling and lodging expenses incurred for the purpose. We will divide the whole matter subject wise as a a following, Subjects:-

1. Current Affairs.

2. Guru Granth Sahib jee, Guru Sahibaan and Guru History.

3. Akal Takhat Sahib and others Takhats.

4. Dasam Granth, Hukamnaame, Rehatnaame and others Manuscripts.

5. Sikh Historical Sources.

6. Voyage Documentation.

7. Sikh Philosophy.

8. Gurbaani Translations and Grammar

9. Sikh History

10. Gursikhs, Bhagats, Bhatt’s, and spiritual personalities.

11. Sikh Shrines and Institutions.

12. Exclusive articles on Sikh History and religion.

13. Internal attacks on Sikhism.

14. External Attacks on Sikhism.

15. R.S.S, Arya Samaj, Dev Samaj, Brahm Samaj and Brahm Kumaris.

16. Evolution of Khalsa.

17. Sikh Writers, Historians, lecturer And Speakers.

18. Udasi, Nirmale, Deredaars.

19. Dehadhaari Gurudom.

20. Karamkands, Rationalist, ill sense rituals.

21. Varat Sharadhs and unsense worship.

22. Sikh code of conduct (Sikh Rehat Mariyaada)

23. Gurbaani and Science.

24. General knowledge.

25. Sikhs affairs in foreign countries.

26. Akali politics(Sikh politics)

27. Central, state policies and politics related to Sikhs.

28. Jathedaars, Head priests, priest and others.

29. S.G.P.C (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee).

30. Sikhism and Christianity (Christianity).

31. Sikhism and Islam (Islam).

32. Ambedkar, Indian constitution and Sikhs.

33. Comrades, leftists and anti Sikh Organizations.

34. Sikh personalities.

35. Sikh Scripture and artifacts.

36. Sikh Paintings, cartoons, photos, images.

37. Anti Sikh paintings, cartoons, photos, images.

38. Akali movement, Gurudwara reform agitation and Punjabi Suba agitation.

39. Indian Independence and role of Sikhs.

40. Sikh Sympathizers (Non Sikhs) 

41. Anti Sikh propaganda (By Sikhs and non Sikhs) 

42. Sikhs struggle for sovereignty and Indian state’s role.

43. Sikh genocide in Delhi (November 1984).

44. June 1984 Holocaust.

45. Editorials (subject wise).

46. Sikh tribes (shikligar ,vanjaare and others)

47. Historical and established Sikh shrines in foreign countries.

48. Drugs.

49. Sikh Martyrs (1469-1708) (1708-1799) (1799-1839) (1839-1947) (1947….)

50. Sikh Martial art, (Gatka) and related information to war weapons.

51. Sikh players and athletes.

52. Sikh Generals (1469-1708) (1708-1799) (1799-1839) (1839-1947) (1947….)

53. Authentic historical writing related to Sikhism by non-Sikh writers.

54. Role of Sikhs in first and second World war.

55. Indian National army (Azad Hind Fauj)

56. Indian judiciary and Sikh rights.

57. Sikh Officers in Indian Army.

58. Sikh Officers in army or police of foreign Countries.

59. Sikh Businessmen

60. Sikh farmers.

Our email address is - drudhoke@gmail.com

CHRONOLOGY
                            There was a time when the past was divided into ages and a historical/ mythological character(s) used to define and represent it. With the passage of time, the analysis of the past is now being done as per chronology-based history, like ancient history, medieval history, etc.
Chronology-based history has now given way to the study of centuries which has transformed into year-based study of the past. Hence even historically important documents like Roznamchas (daily recordings) seem at odds in this internet age when bits-bytes nay gigabytes of information are available every second to us.
While technological advancement holds immense potential, it also poses one of the biggest challenges as this information platform is also being used to muddy our past with half-baked truth, ill-informed comments and naked lies. This is also creating confusion in the youth and sowing the seeds of discord for the coming generation.

“If the lion has no historian, the history of hunt will glorify the hunter.”

We have to not only minutely observe the everyday happenings (including those across the world) but also analyse our historical texts. If we delve a bit deeper into ancient source material, we would be shocked to learn that even years of major historical events do not match each other. We need to lay special emphasis on this aspect as:
“History devoid of years does not take long to morph into mythology.”

Or in other words, chronology or putting things in the right order is very important in history.
We need to divide our history into suitable sections and then decide/ establish the dates/ years of the events.
Remember our failure to cover our flanks will pose insurmountable challenges to future generations.