Founded 500 years ago in India, the Sikh faith defied the caste system and the authority of Hindu priests; forbade magic, idolatry, and pilgrimages; and promoted the equality of men and women -- beliefs that incurred the wrath of both Hindus and Muslims. The conflict has raged into our own time: in 1984 the Golden Temple -- the holy shrine of the Sikhs -- was destroyed by the Indian army. In retaliation, Sikh bodyguards assassinated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Now, Patwant Singh tells the story of the Sikhs: how a movement based on tenets of compassion and brotherhood transformed itself, of necessity, into a community that values military prowess and spirituality equally. He examines how, through the centuries, the Sikh soldier became an exemplar of discipline and courage, while at the same time the Sikhs were becoming known for their commitment to education, their business acumen, and their enterprising spirit. And he pleads for both a reduction in Sikh militancy and an increased acceptance by the Indian government of this vital and energetic people.