Harjinder Singh Dilgeer is considered an authority on Sikhhistory, Gurbani and philosophy. He is the only author who has written Complete History of the Sikhs and has translated Guru Granth Sahib in English and has published NEW MAHAN KOSH Encyclopedia of Sikh literature and Punjab & Sikh History . He has written in detail about the concept and the history of Akal Takht Sahib, Sikh culture, Shiromani Akali Dal, the history of Anandpur Sahib, and Kiratpur Sahib, Dictionary of Sikh Philosophy etc. The Sikh Reference Book is his magnum opus. 'The Sikh Reference Book' is an encyclopaedia consisting of more than 2400 biographies, complete chronology of Sikh history, 400 concepts of Sikh philosophy as well more than 800 Sikh shrines. He has produced a Sikh Encyclopaedia CD-ROM. His latest works are Encyclopaedia of Jalandhar, Banda Singh Bahadur, Sikh Twareekh in five volumes, Sikh History in ten volumes ; and English translations of Nitnaym and Sukhmani Sahib.. His latest work is English translation of Guru Granth Sahib, in seven volumes and NEW MAHAN KOSH, published in February 2020.
Early life
Dilgeer was born on 22 October 1965, in the family of Gurbakhsh Singh and Jagtar Kaur, at Jalandhar, Punjab, India. in a family originally from Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan, then Mehraj village. He was later based in Jalandhar and Jalalabad, and finally in Oslo. He is a citizen of Norway, and, presently lives in England.
Education
Dilgeer passed his M.A. in English, Punjabi and Philosophy and started teaching in various colleges in the Punjab and finally at the Panjab University Chandigarh. He was awarded degrees of M.Phil. LL.B. and Ph.D. by Panjab University Chandigarh. Besides he has several other degrees and diplomas as well. He is visiting teacher of the P.U. Patiala as well.
Awards
In Denmark in 1995, he was presented with the 'Shan-i-Punjab' award; in 2004 he won the 'Giani Garja Singh Award' in Ludhiana; in 2005, he was presented with the 'Kohinoor Award' and 'National Professor of Sikh Studies' award in Birmingham ; in 2006 he won the 'Bhai Gurdas' award in Amritsar; and in 2009 he was presented with the 'National Professor of Sikh History' award at Chandigarh. Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer was given award of "Heera-e-Qaum" by the Haryana SGPC, on 11 November 2017.
Works
Bewafaian, a book of romantic poems
Eskimo Smile, a novelette Kamu Ronda Rahega
Ikki Ghante, a book of stories (later published under the title of Yaaran Kahanian Te Ikk Novelette
Damdami Taksaal & other essays true history of 'damdami taksal' and truth about 'dasam granth';
Sikh Itihas vich ajj Da Din 2 volumes,.
', 7 volumes
', 2018.
Dilgeer Kosh, Punjabi, April 2018,. It is encyclopedia of Guru Granth Sahib, Punjab and Sikh History.
''NAVAN MAHAN KOSH, volume 2 of Dilgeer Kosh. Total pages of 2 volumes are 1261. There are about 35000 entries, 1250 biographies, information about more than 550 Gurdwaras and places. There are more than 950 entries of Persian and more than 730 entries of Arabic words in the first 2 volumes.
