What did the Khalsa need to learn before it could govern?
At our first sold-out live event in 2025, Satnam Singh joined me to discuss The Road to Empire: The Political Education of Khalsa Sikhs in the Late 1600s.
We get into the books, translations and debates at Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s court in Anandpur, and how Satnam connects that education to the building of a Khalsa state.
The full 59-minute conversation, including the audience Q&A, is now available to YouTube Members.
How much of Punjab’s history are we missing when we leave women out?
Harleen Singh joined me at our first sold-out live event in 2025 to discuss The Lost Heer: Women in Colonial Punjab. We talked about women who ruled and negotiated power, and what their letters, songs, memories and embroidery can tell us about the lives they led.
The full 40-minute conversation, including the audience Q&A, is now available to YouTube Members.
I'm working on something new: researched, scripted history videos built just for YouTube.
The podcast isn't going anywhere.
Depending on how production works out, these will land after or between upcoming conversations with Nicholas Higham, Major Daljinder Singh Virdee, Dinyar Patel, Daniel Ogden, Caroline Sharples, Baljit Singh, Babbulicious and Audrey Truschke.
Here's what's on the list so far:
- The Truth About the "Eyewitness" at Vaisakhi - The History of Vaisakhi - Banda Singh Bahadur According to One of the Most Prominent Sikh Historians - Banda Singh Bahadur According to Rajasthani Documents - Bandi Chhor or Diwali? - A British Surgeon in the Second Anglo-Sikh War - The Punjabi Princess Caught Up in the Second World War - The Curious Case of Sirdar Arjan Singh - Guru Nanak: History vs Hagiography - The Irish Soldier in the British Army
One of these is bigger than it looks. Guru Nanak: History vs Hagiography opens a whole series on the historical Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the Janamsakhis. We'll cover which traditions record what, what each leaves out and where history, memory and hagiography meet.
Which one should I make first?
Tell me in the comments, whichever wins goes to the front of the queue.
What does it take to render Jap Ji Sahib, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's most recited composition, into rhyming, poetic English?
I sat down with Satpal Singh of @NanakNaam to find out.
We talk through his new translation line by line, the choices behind it, what gets lost and what gets found when scripture crosses languages, why he chose rhyme and metre over literal word-for-word rendering, and what Jap Ji Sahib has to say to someone encountering it for the very first time.
One of the most thoughtful conversations we've had on the podcast. It drops in the next few days, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it.
Two major voices in Sikh and Punjabi studies. One stage. One night. Birmingham.
This is the evening we'd previously announced with Dr Radha Kapuria, circumstances meant a change of guest, and we're honoured that@jvalaaa now joins Professor Eleanor Nesbitt on stage.
Dr Kapuria will be with us for her own evening soon.
A live Ramblings podcast on Punjab's art, texts, memory and the stories history left untold. Audience Q&A, books, and food on the night.
Had the pleasure of sitting down with Professor Audrey Truschke to talk about one of the most debated figures in South Asian history, Aurangzeb. Whatever your opinion of the man, this is a conversation worth listening to. Gateway episode and full podcast coming soon.
RamblingsofaSikh
What did the Khalsa need to learn before it could govern?
At our first sold-out live event in 2025, Satnam Singh joined me to discuss The Road to Empire: The Political Education of Khalsa Sikhs in the Late 1600s.
We get into the books, translations and debates at Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s court in Anandpur, and how Satnam connects that education to the building of a Khalsa state.
The full 59-minute conversation, including the audience Q&A, is now available to YouTube Members.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/PQpoQ8_QAh0
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
RamblingsofaSikh
How much of Punjab’s history are we missing when we leave women out?
Harleen Singh joined me at our first sold-out live event in 2025 to discuss The Lost Heer: Women in Colonial Punjab. We talked about women who ruled and negotiated power, and what their letters, songs, memories and embroidery can tell us about the lives they led.
The full 40-minute conversation, including the audience Q&A, is now available to YouTube Members.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/Cm5AO6eu-TQ
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
RamblingsofaSikh
I'm working on something new: researched, scripted history videos built just for YouTube.
The podcast isn't going anywhere.
Depending on how production works out, these will land after or between upcoming conversations with Nicholas Higham, Major Daljinder Singh Virdee, Dinyar Patel, Daniel Ogden, Caroline Sharples, Baljit Singh, Babbulicious and Audrey Truschke.
Here's what's on the list so far:
- The Truth About the "Eyewitness" at Vaisakhi
- The History of Vaisakhi
- Banda Singh Bahadur According to One of the Most Prominent Sikh Historians
- Banda Singh Bahadur According to Rajasthani Documents
- Bandi Chhor or Diwali?
- A British Surgeon in the Second Anglo-Sikh War
- The Punjabi Princess Caught Up in the Second World War
- The Curious Case of Sirdar Arjan Singh
- Guru Nanak: History vs Hagiography
- The Irish Soldier in the British Army
One of these is bigger than it looks. Guru Nanak: History vs Hagiography opens a whole series on the historical Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the Janamsakhis. We'll cover which traditions record what, what each leaves out and where history, memory and hagiography meet.
Which one should I make first?
Tell me in the comments, whichever wins goes to the front of the queue.
2 months ago | [YT] | 20
View 4 replies
RamblingsofaSikh
What does it take to render Jap Ji Sahib, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's most recited composition, into rhyming, poetic English?
I sat down with Satpal Singh of @NanakNaam to find out.
We talk through his new translation line by line, the choices behind it, what gets lost and what gets found when scripture crosses languages, why he chose rhyme and metre over literal word-for-word rendering, and what Jap Ji Sahib has to say to someone encountering it for the very first time.
One of the most thoughtful conversations we've had on the podcast. It drops in the next few days, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it.
3 months ago | [YT] | 38
View 4 replies
RamblingsofaSikh
Two major voices in Sikh and Punjabi studies. One stage. One night. Birmingham.
We're honoured that @jvalaaa joins Professor Eleanor Nesbitt on stage.
A live Ramblings podcast on Punjab's art, texts, memory and the stories history left untold. Audience Q&A, books, and food on the night.
Wednesday 8 October - 1 Colmore Square, Birmingham. Doors 5:30pm, event 6–9pm.
Early bird tickets have completely sold out, we've only got 60 tickets remain.
Get yours here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manuscript-to-memoir-ticket…
3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 20
View 0 replies
RamblingsofaSikh
Two major voices in Sikh and Punjabi studies. One stage. One night. Birmingham.
This is the evening we'd previously announced with Dr Radha Kapuria, circumstances meant a change of guest, and we're honoured that@jvalaaa now joins Professor Eleanor Nesbitt on stage.
Dr Kapuria will be with us for her own evening soon.
A live Ramblings podcast on Punjab's art, texts, memory and the stories history left untold. Audience Q&A, books, and food on the night.
Wednesday 8 October — 1 Colmore Square, Birmingham. Doors 5:30pm, event 6–9pm.
34% of early-bird tickets already gone. Link in description.
Get your tickets here - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manuscript-to-memoir-ticket…
5 months ago | [YT] | 43
View 0 replies
RamblingsofaSikh
Sat down today with Sarbpreet Singh, one of the finest storytellers of Sikh history. If you know his work, you know why this one matters.
5 months ago | [YT] | 91
View 3 replies
RamblingsofaSikh
Which thumbnail should we go with for the Dr Dominiek Dendooven episode? Vote below.
5 months ago | [YT] | 5
View 1 reply
RamblingsofaSikh
Had the pleasure of sitting down with Professor Audrey Truschke to talk about one of the most debated figures in South Asian history, Aurangzeb. Whatever your opinion of the man, this is a conversation worth listening to. Gateway episode and full podcast coming soon.
6 months ago | [YT] | 25
View 1 reply
RamblingsofaSikh
Which thumbnail should we go with for the Mohan Singh episode? Vote below.
6 months ago | [YT] | 7
View 1 reply
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