Banner Image: Indian infantry carrying Maxim Guns under fire, Great War, 1918, Historical Images Archive.

From the Mughal and British Empires, to the Anglo Sikh Wars, Great Wars, the UN, and beyond, the Sikhs have a long, rich, and colourful military history. Unfortunately, their contributions have largely been not only forgotten but intentionally kept out of narratives both past and present.  Hear the roar of the Lions of Punjab through a powerful presentation about the military legacy of the Sikh soldier. Bole So Nihal…Sat Sri Akaal!

Duty, Honour & Izzat – The Sikh Military Tradition is presented by Pardeep Singh Nagra. The lecture premiered both in-person at the Civic Museum, and online via our Facebook livestream. The recorded conversation is available on Facebook, YouTube, and our Museum Everywhere Portal. 

Guelph Museums’ Military Lecture series is presented in partnership with the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada.

Watch the Recording 

About Pardeep Singh Nagra:

Pardeep Singh Nagra enjoys collecting antique cars and riding motorcycles.  He voluntary serves as director of the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada where he has hosted the three most recent Canadian Ministers of Defense. He is an award-winning, avid historian and artefact collector, including over 2000 Sikh toy soldiers. Pardeep has presented and spoken around the world highlighting the honour, valour and legacy of the Sikh military tradition including at The Military Museums of Calgary and the Pentagon. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and is committed to reconciliation.

His love of sports had led to many interesting athletic accomplishments, including being a high school tennis champion, elite ball hockey player, qualifying for the Boston Marathon, and being a national level boxer for which a Hollywood movie (Tiger) was produced based on his journey.  His work and service has been recognized and valued as he is the recipient of the YMCA Canada Peace Medal, University of Toronto Arbor Award, Region of Peel Chair’s Award for Community Service, Auxiliary Constable of the Year with Peel Regional Police, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.