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Papers by Vishal Sangu

Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religions, Sep 12, 2023

Masters Dissertation, 2022

This dissertation traces the interactions and influence of colonialism on Sikh identity. The spec... more This dissertation traces the interactions and influence of colonialism on Sikh identity. The specific focus will be between 1870-1920, when Sikh identity was reforming under the Singh Sabha movements. This dissertation argued the “World Religion” understanding of “Sikhism” is a de-political, private, and colonial construct. Focusing on decolonisation of thought and advocating the understanding of Sikhi as a religious-political (Miri/Piri), decolonial, lived identity. This is done through tracing colonial scholarship, Sikh scholarship, and theories and understandings in Religious Studies. This dissertation will trace how colonialism affects Sikh identity through primary research focusing on the effects of texts, translations, ideas, language, and understandings from the colonial era and the issues that has for the Sikh diaspora. This dissertation argues the translation of Sikh scriptures by Ernest Trumpp (1877) was catastrophic for understanding Sikh identity. It argues the needed reaction to the defamatory comments made by Ernest Trumpp has led to the modern formation of “Sikhism” in line with the Protestant model of religion. This idea of “Sikhism” is detrimental to Sikh identity as it separates the boundaries between religion and the secular. This project seeks to use a vernacular approach to the study of religion to advocate for decolonisation of Religious Studies through qualitative methods of research, investigating the effects of colonial language and texts of Sikh scriptures has on the Sikh diaspora. This project advocates for a process of decolonisation through presenting the affects the colonial period has on Sikh religion.

Section of Masters Dissertation, 2022

This essay traces the effects of colonial terminology on the scholarship of Sikhi, how the negati... more This essay traces the effects of colonial terminology on the scholarship of Sikhi, how the negative Colonial "World Religions" term impacts the theology and vernacular aspect of Sikh religion. Ultimately, to the detriment of Sikh identity.

It is difficult to disentangle religion from politics in the troubled history of intercommunal re... more It is difficult to disentangle religion from politics in the troubled history of intercommunal relationships in Punjab. This entanglement is most apparent in the Sikh call for statehood and identity. This dissertation seeks to identify the processes by which religion became ethnonationalism in the Sikh context. It argues that the call for self-determination and statehood, sometimes expressed by the idea of ‘Khalistan’ is rooted in religion but expressed as a political aspiration shaped by the context of the rise of Hindu nationalism through Hindutva politics. Punjab has a long history of rule by external powers, most notably the Mughal Empire and the British Raj. The Sikh community experienced both flourishing and oppression at different points in these Empires, but this dissertation argues that the last act of the British Empire; namely, Partition; was catastrophic for the identity of the Sikh community. It argues that the rise of Hindu nationalism post-Partition, though an understandable reaction to Colonialism, has had significant negative consequences for the Sikh community; a minority in India, which now finds itself in many ways disenfranchised in what is left of its homeland. These and associated events have combined to generate the shift from the apolitical religious practice of the past to identity politics and ethnonationalism for contemporary Punjabi Sikhs.

The ambiguity over the canonicity of the book of Tobit within Jewish and Christian circles leads ... more The ambiguity over the canonicity of the book of Tobit within Jewish and Christian circles leads to a threefold understanding of the genre of Tobit; folktale/fairy-tale, legend and novella. Folktale is a more adequate description of the book to Tobit due to the idea of the book as
fiction, the hero motif and marriage. However, this is contested through the religious obligations of the character Tobit embodying themes of exile and a return to Israel. These views and other views will be compared throughout this essay. Concluding with the thoughts
of the final genre of Tobit as fairy-tale or novella.

The self in Asian Philosophies , 2019

In order to explain and explore the ideas of the self within ascetic Asian traditions in comparis... more In order to explain and explore the ideas of the self within ascetic Asian traditions in comparison to Sikhi first it may be understood what the self means in these different traditions. Starting with world-denying Vedics, to world-affirming Sikhs.

In order to discuss the importance of dharma in Mahābhārata it is imperative to define the concep... more In order to discuss the importance of dharma in Mahābhārata it is imperative to define the concept of dharma in Mahābhārata. The concept of dharma in Mahābhārata is righteousness. In Mahābhārata it conveys the story of the Pāṇḍavas whom are righteous and seek the
rewards of righteousness and are even empowered through Krishna whilst they fighting against the unrighteous Kaurava’s

To critically assess Jon Sobrino’s ‘The poor and salvation’ it is important to consider the conte... more To critically assess Jon Sobrino’s ‘The poor and salvation’ it is important to consider the contemporary context on the text, which is Latin America, Sobrino’s theology was seen to be have Marxist thoughts due to the importance given to freedom from material poverty.

it’s important to firstly assess whether or not the Qur’an or other Islamic texts or traditions d... more it’s important to firstly assess whether or not the Qur’an
or other Islamic texts or traditions discriminate against women, giving a detailed analysis in reference to one text, and then I shall be moving on to assess how females interpret the Qur’an despite the fact the teachings may be patriarchal and then I will be exploring how female scholars counter the patriarchal readings, for example exploring whether or not women are trying to change the interpretation of the texts.

Print and Online Media Comment by Vishal Sangu

BASR Bulletin, No. 139, pp. 12-14.

The 2021 BASR conference was entitled "From Religious Studies to the Study of Religion/s: Discipl... more The 2021 BASR conference was entitled "From Religious Studies to the Study of Religion/s: Disciplinary Futures for the 21st Century', and marked the 175th anniversary year of the foundation of New College, and the 50th anniversary of Religious Studies at Edinburgh

Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religions, Sep 12, 2023

Masters Dissertation, 2022

This dissertation traces the interactions and influence of colonialism on Sikh identity. The spec... more This dissertation traces the interactions and influence of colonialism on Sikh identity. The specific focus will be between 1870-1920, when Sikh identity was reforming under the Singh Sabha movements. This dissertation argued the “World Religion” understanding of “Sikhism” is a de-political, private, and colonial construct. Focusing on decolonisation of thought and advocating the understanding of Sikhi as a religious-political (Miri/Piri), decolonial, lived identity. This is done through tracing colonial scholarship, Sikh scholarship, and theories and understandings in Religious Studies. This dissertation will trace how colonialism affects Sikh identity through primary research focusing on the effects of texts, translations, ideas, language, and understandings from the colonial era and the issues that has for the Sikh diaspora. This dissertation argues the translation of Sikh scriptures by Ernest Trumpp (1877) was catastrophic for understanding Sikh identity. It argues the needed reaction to the defamatory comments made by Ernest Trumpp has led to the modern formation of “Sikhism” in line with the Protestant model of religion. This idea of “Sikhism” is detrimental to Sikh identity as it separates the boundaries between religion and the secular. This project seeks to use a vernacular approach to the study of religion to advocate for decolonisation of Religious Studies through qualitative methods of research, investigating the effects of colonial language and texts of Sikh scriptures has on the Sikh diaspora. This project advocates for a process of decolonisation through presenting the affects the colonial period has on Sikh religion.

Section of Masters Dissertation, 2022

This essay traces the effects of colonial terminology on the scholarship of Sikhi, how the negati... more This essay traces the effects of colonial terminology on the scholarship of Sikhi, how the negative Colonial "World Religions" term impacts the theology and vernacular aspect of Sikh religion. Ultimately, to the detriment of Sikh identity.

It is difficult to disentangle religion from politics in the troubled history of intercommunal re... more It is difficult to disentangle religion from politics in the troubled history of intercommunal relationships in Punjab. This entanglement is most apparent in the Sikh call for statehood and identity. This dissertation seeks to identify the processes by which religion became ethnonationalism in the Sikh context. It argues that the call for self-determination and statehood, sometimes expressed by the idea of ‘Khalistan’ is rooted in religion but expressed as a political aspiration shaped by the context of the rise of Hindu nationalism through Hindutva politics. Punjab has a long history of rule by external powers, most notably the Mughal Empire and the British Raj. The Sikh community experienced both flourishing and oppression at different points in these Empires, but this dissertation argues that the last act of the British Empire; namely, Partition; was catastrophic for the identity of the Sikh community. It argues that the rise of Hindu nationalism post-Partition, though an understandable reaction to Colonialism, has had significant negative consequences for the Sikh community; a minority in India, which now finds itself in many ways disenfranchised in what is left of its homeland. These and associated events have combined to generate the shift from the apolitical religious practice of the past to identity politics and ethnonationalism for contemporary Punjabi Sikhs.

The ambiguity over the canonicity of the book of Tobit within Jewish and Christian circles leads ... more The ambiguity over the canonicity of the book of Tobit within Jewish and Christian circles leads to a threefold understanding of the genre of Tobit; folktale/fairy-tale, legend and novella. Folktale is a more adequate description of the book to Tobit due to the idea of the book as
fiction, the hero motif and marriage. However, this is contested through the religious obligations of the character Tobit embodying themes of exile and a return to Israel. These views and other views will be compared throughout this essay. Concluding with the thoughts
of the final genre of Tobit as fairy-tale or novella.

The self in Asian Philosophies , 2019

In order to explain and explore the ideas of the self within ascetic Asian traditions in comparis... more In order to explain and explore the ideas of the self within ascetic Asian traditions in comparison to Sikhi first it may be understood what the self means in these different traditions. Starting with world-denying Vedics, to world-affirming Sikhs.

In order to discuss the importance of dharma in Mahābhārata it is imperative to define the concep... more In order to discuss the importance of dharma in Mahābhārata it is imperative to define the concept of dharma in Mahābhārata. The concept of dharma in Mahābhārata is righteousness. In Mahābhārata it conveys the story of the Pāṇḍavas whom are righteous and seek the
rewards of righteousness and are even empowered through Krishna whilst they fighting against the unrighteous Kaurava’s

To critically assess Jon Sobrino’s ‘The poor and salvation’ it is important to consider the conte... more To critically assess Jon Sobrino’s ‘The poor and salvation’ it is important to consider the contemporary context on the text, which is Latin America, Sobrino’s theology was seen to be have Marxist thoughts due to the importance given to freedom from material poverty.

it’s important to firstly assess whether or not the Qur’an or other Islamic texts or traditions d... more it’s important to firstly assess whether or not the Qur’an
or other Islamic texts or traditions discriminate against women, giving a detailed analysis in reference to one text, and then I shall be moving on to assess how females interpret the Qur’an despite the fact the teachings may be patriarchal and then I will be exploring how female scholars counter the patriarchal readings, for example exploring whether or not women are trying to change the interpretation of the texts.

BASR Bulletin, No. 139, pp. 12-14.

The 2021 BASR conference was entitled "From Religious Studies to the Study of Religion/s: Discipl... more The 2021 BASR conference was entitled "From Religious Studies to the Study of Religion/s: Disciplinary Futures for the 21st Century', and marked the 175th anniversary year of the foundation of New College, and the 50th anniversary of Religious Studies at Edinburgh