Along Came A Warrior: Banda's Dharamyudh and the Sikh Theory of Just War

Just War theory is a Christian doctrine, of interest to historians, military leaders, theologians, ethicists, and policy makers. The term Dharamyudh is often considered its Indian equivalent though the two are not always analogous. Along Came a Warrior: Banda's Dharamyudh and the Sikh Theory of Just War is a uniquely different book that reinterprets historical memory and landmarks from religious, political, and military perspectives. It defines the Sikh idea of a just war or Dharamyudh by placing it in a comparative context with the ideas held by other ruling elites of the time such as the Mughals, the Rajputs, the Hill Rajas, and the Marathas.

The narrative discusses in detail the critical role played by concepts such as Dharam and honor, as well as the imagined memory of the Sikh Gurus, the understanding of Miri-Piri, and of Guru Gobind Singh's Zafamama, in motivating the early Sikh warriors towards their remarkable quest for Martyrdom and Mukti.