Max Arthur McAuliffe and the Study of Sikhism: An Analysis

Abstract

Max Arthur McAuliffe, a historian of early Sikhism and an English translator of the Sikh scriptures, is one of the well-known western scholars who studied Sikhism. McAuliffe's translation of Guru Granth Sahib in six volumes records the interpretation of the sacred texts as orally communicated by gianis from generation to generation. It thus preserves a valuable tradition and has become a key to the understanding of Sikh thought. It consists of the lives of the Gurus, their followers and contemporaries, as well as extensive translations from Sri Guru Granth Sahib spaced throughout the narrative. Without remark, McAuliffe does not just present a translation of the sacred. Rather, the voice of the author is present throughout the translation, introducing, describing and guiding the reader in general through a comprehensive introduction to Sikhism. McAuliffe is authoritative in his descriptions and his words are of tremendous benefit to a reader whose first reading to Sikhism is this translation. This research discussed when and how western scholars started studying Sikhism? It also described the contribution of Max Auther McAuliffe’s in Sikhism with special reference of his monument work of “The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors”. This research found response of Sikhs to their work and how did the western academia commented on it.