"In 1810, Sir John Malcolm published the groundbreaking Sketch of the Sikhs, often believed to be the first European writing about the Sikhs. In truth, throughout the previous two centuries Europeans, both men and women from many walks of life, had witnessed and written about the development of the Sikhs. The letters, diaries, newspaper accounts and memoirs of these men and women have been painstakingly researched and compiled to shed light on a little-understood period of Sikh history. For the first time, the evolution of a major world religion based on authentic eyewitness accounts is available. The editors introduce each account with a biographical commentary and provide detailed notes designed to give the reader essential information for a greater clarity of understanding."--Jacket.