...This chapter explores the eight ‘sittings’ (chaunkis) to sing kirtan as part of daily liturgical routine at the Darbar Sahib (n Amritsar) in its historical context, concentrating on contemporary religious and secular musical traditions. The author establishes the religious context...

... of two Mughal emperors, Akbar (r. 1556–1605) and Jahangir (r. 1605–1628). It constructs a brief outline of Guru Arjan's life, including the 25 years of his ministry during which he built the Darbar Sahib and compiled the first authoritative text of the Adi Granth. The growing strength...

...The Harimandir Sahib, also known as Darbar Sahib or ‘the Divine Court’, is the central place of Sikh worship and conveys the sense of majesty that emanates from the entire temple complex. The gurdwara, erected in the middle of a sacred pool called Amritsar or ‘Lake of Immortality’, has always been...

...This chapter explores the ongoing religious life and history of the Darbar Sahib (aka Harimandir Sahib, or Golden Temple), Sikhism’s sacred centre in Amritsar. It begins with a historical overview of the Darbar Sahib from the beginnings of the town of Ramdaspur during the time of the early Sikh...