By Rajender Singh Gabbi
Published by Aristoc Offset, Glen Waverley, Victoria, 3150 Australia, 1998
ISBN : 0-646-36194-5
Pages : 222; Price : $ 29.50 (Australian)


The foreword of the book is written by the famous authority on world religions, Professor Noel Q King, University of California at Santa Cruz, USA. He has greatly commended the author for delving deep into the Australian archives, newspapers, magazines, official circulars and laws, and personal letters to get his material. The author is a member of the Indian Institute of Engineers and was a lecturer in the Indo-Swiss Training Centre at Chandigarh for a number of years and has been residing in Australia since 1978.

The book is a summary of the author's research work, a study of more than two and a half years and shows his good knowledge of Sikhism. The book is divided into four main parts :

_ The Sikh Religion and the Sikhs
_ The History of Australia
_ Immigration and Settlement Policy of Australia
_ Sikhs in Australia

Illustrations in black and white and colour given throughout the book make it interesting and more informative.

The chapter on Sikh religion deals with the basic tenets like the Mul Mantra, Oneness of God and humanity, purpose of human life, concept of kirt karna, naam japna and vand chhakna, and other tenets of Sikhism, sangat, pangat, sewa and simran. The lives of the ten Gurus, their teachings, amrit, the Vaisakhi of 1699, the Golden Temple and the Akal Takht are dealt with in detail. The author has very aptly stated that the Gurus laid down the spiritual code of conduct for the Sikhs in Guru Granth Sahib and "Guru Granth does not narrate the life story of the Gurus but is dedicated to the glory of God."

Sikh history from Guru Nanak's time right up to the present-day is given, covering all the major events including the Sikhs' persecution and sacrifice in the 18th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule and its tragic ending, the Akali Movement and the massacre and destruction of the Akal Takht by the Indian Government in 1984. He has touched upon the apostasy among the Sikh youth and has appealed that "Guru's grace lies in the obedience of Guru's message or tenet and as such a Sikh is not to argue Guru's command or wisdom."

The chapter ends with the views of world scholars and philosophers regarding Sikh religion and Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Among the scholars quoted are Mrs Pearl S Buck, Prof H L Bradshaw, Archer, and Duncan Greenlees amongst others.

The History of Australia

We are informed by the author that Australia's west coast was discovered by a Dutch explorer Hartog in 1616. But he did not give any importance to it since he did not find any inhabitants there. In August 1768, Captain Cook was sent by the British to explore this land. On 20th April 1770, Captain Cook landed at a spot now known as Botany Bay on the East Coast and named it New South Wales and returned to England in 1771. The British rule over the American colonies ended in 1781, and they decided to send their convicts from their overcrowded prisons to the newly found land to colonise it in 1787. Accordingly, Captain Arthur Phillip reached Botany Bay in January 1788 with 700 convicts (total number reached 140000 by 1848) and 300 other police and administrative staff. On 26th January 1788, he hoisted the Union Jack at Port Jackson and declared it as a colony of Britain. He was appointed the first governor of Australia. Britain did not have to fight to get this land. The Aborigines tried to defend the land with wooden sticks but were no match against the British rifles. The aborigines at that time did not grow any crops and subsisted on fruits, animal meat and fish.

Australia got its name in 1814 at the suggestion of Mr Flinders. In 1823, a legislative council was set up to advise the governor for the regulation of social life and law and order in the land.

The author has discussed the history of Australia from 1788 to the present-day under various periods as under :

1788-1800
1800-1830
1830-1850
1850-1900
1900 to present-day.

The following information may be of interest :

_ In 1831, open land was sold at the rate of 5 shillings per acre.
_ In 1835 there were 77,496 free settlers and 2,000,000 sheep.
_ It is claimed that in 1838 there were 1203 Asians, and out of these nearly 250 were Indians.
_ Australia is divided into eight states, starting with New South Wales in 1786 and Australian Capital Territory in 1927. Canberra is its capital.
_ Size of Australia is 2 ½ times that of India.
_ In 1900, its population was 3.1 million which works out to 2.7 square kilometres of land for each person living in Australia.
_ On 1st January 1901, a Federal Government was established and was called the Commonwealth of Australia.
_ Until 1940, Indians, especially the Sikhs, were discriminated against in every respect and suffered social harassment.
_ Compulsory military training for all young men was enforced to increase the numbers in military forces. Australia took part in both the World Wars as a part of Allied Forces.
_ The population of Australia increased from 1024 in 1788 to 3,824,913 in 1901 and to 18,829,142 in 1996.
_ Between 1947 and 1968, 3 million migrants were allowed to come into Australia mostly from the European countries to increase its population.
_ The immigration of Indians and Asians peaked during the period of 1984 to 1991 and was then effectively reduced. According to the 1991 census there were 20,928 Hindus and 7,795 Sikhs in Australia.

Immigration and Settlement Policy of Australia

The author informs us that prior to the formation of the Federal Government of Australia in 1901, settlement and immigration were controlled by the colonies according to their needs, and from time to time suitable legislations were passed in this regard. The Federal Government declared the White Australian Policy (WAP) immediately after it was formed and thus Asians or coloured races were considered aliens and every effort was made to stop their settlement and immigration into Australia. After 1830, Asians were socially discouraged from settling here. Whereas, Europeans were brought in under an Assisted Passage Scheme. In 1921, the Federal Government completely took control of immigration from its states and since then it is under its control.

Some colonies passed legislation to restrict the entry of Asians. They could enter into QLD but not NSW. Similarly, Chinese could migrate to SA and WA after 1860, whereas they were not allowed to enter into Victoria, and NSW. To control the entry of cheap Asian labour, colonies passed the `Imported Labour Registry Act 1897', which made it compulsory to register any labour brought in privately under contract into the colonies.

When the White Australian Policy (WAP) was adopted in 1901, most of the Islanders were deported forcefully and immigration of Asians was stopped. During the second World War when the Japanese bombed Darwin, the Australian bureaucrats realised that the population of the country was far too small to defend its vast borders. Also, Australia had to take some responsibility to make room for the settlement of war affected Europeans. Thus, between 1946 and 1968, nearly 3 million new migrants came to Australia and immigration of Asians was relaxed.

Under the Colombo Plan, students from underdeveloped countries were also allowed to study in Australia after 1950. A multicultural society was accepted after 1972, and immigration to Australia became based on the criteria of the person instead of colour, nationality, caste, creed or gender, etc. It was called NUMAS (Numerical Multifactor Assessment System) but a quota bar was still in force. More than 80% of the present Hindu / Sikh population in Australia has migrated between 1974 and 1994.

Since 1995 the new Liberal government has put a stop to any immigration except under family reunion or highly acceptable or required persons in Australia. 85% of the total migrants from India after 1985 are highly skilled, educated and professional, and are mostly young between 25-35 years of age.

Sikhs in Australia

The author states that it was difficult to separate Sikhs out of Indians until recent times as any Sikh coming from India was called Hindu. Further, Sikhs were mistaken for Arabs or Muslims because of their look and costume. The possibility of any Sikh settler prior to 1830 is remote. Most of the pioneer Sikhs went to Australia before the declaration of White Policy in 1901. A few Sikhs went there in the 1860s as helpers or camel-men, and were employed for clearing the bushland and for growing grass for sheep. They mainly belonged to the districts of Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. Today there are about 700 Sikh farmers who have their own lands and live with their families. Nearly 80% of the Sikh population today is living in big cities in every walk of life. They are doctors, scientists, architects, accountants, engineers, professors and lecturers, sales managers, and in government service. The Sikhs living in the countryside are also settled well. There is no discrimination against Asians since 1973. However, prestigious positions are held by the Europeans. There is no social tension between whites and non-whites.

There are gurdwaras in big cities and in the countryside even where Sikhs are living in small numbers. It is believed that Baba Ram Singh, who lived up to the age of 106, brought the first copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to Australia in the early 1920s. The city of Woolgoolga on the eastern coast of Australia has the largest Sikh community (2346) in the country and has a grand gurdwara (opened in 1993) which is visible from all the approaches to it. Woolgoolga is famous for banana cultivation.

The author has given life sketches of the pioneer Sikhs and many other important persons who are living or have lived in Australia. Amongst them are Baba Ram Singh and Otim (Uttam) Singh who entered Australia in 1890 and established "The People Stores" in 1907. Another person is Bhagwan Singh, an ex-soldier of `29th Madras Infantry' who lived up to the age of 105-110 years. The author has dedicated the book to "The Pioneer Sikhs in Australia who did not lose their heart under discriminating and unbearable conditions and gave the footings to the present Sikh community in Australia."

In the concluding paras the author has stated that Australia is free from social infighting and unrest. "It is a country of opportunities and anyone who has self-confidence and determination to do better can be successful. Tourists can find here peace of mind and a wonderful relaxing and charming environment."

The Sikhs are not careful in preserving their history, art or even environment. Recently in Punjab many of their ancient and historical places have been brought down for the sake of modernity and marble phobia. This book is a work of great labour and untiring effort to dig out the old Australian records to present a complete picture of the Sikhs' entry into Australia. They have thus proved their worth as enterprising and hard working people.

This book will prove to be of great value for the visitors and for those intending to settle in Australia besides its historical and research importance. Sardar Rajinder Singh Gabbi has achieved a mighty task in compiling this pioneer work and deserves the Sikh Nation's appreciation.