Punjab : from the perspective of a Punjabi Hindu

Punjab from the perspective of a Punjabi Hindu is written by prominent journalist Vinayak Dutt. I wanted to read this book and was able to lay my hand on the book recently, though it was published in 2023. I thought it was a very interesting book. And the author starts the book very well. The first chapter of the book that got my attention was on the Lahore Darbar, where the contribution of very prominent Hindu generals and luminaries in Durbar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh is amply brought out. Most notable among them were Diwan Dinanath, Diwan Mohkam Chand, Diwan Moti Ram and his sons Misar Diwan Chand,  Misr Beli Ram,  Diwan Savan Mal,  Deewana Mul Raj, Pandit Mahan Singh,  Diwan Gangaram, Diwan Ayodhya Prasad, and Dogra Hindus. Misr Beli Ram was the treasurer and did his job with extreme honesty and integrity. He would not let anyone inspect or have a glance at Toshakhana without the explicit orders of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He famously denied the gifting of the Kohinoor diamond to Jagannath Puri, declaring that the diamond was not the property of the Maharaja but that of the state. 

In the next chapter, on the Building of Modern Punjab, the role of prominent Hindu personalities is very well brought out. Notable among them are Sir Ganga Ram,  Lala Ruchi Ram Sahni,  Pandit Sharda Ram Falouri,  Sir Chhotu Ram,  Sir Manohar Lal,  Lala Hari Krishna Lal,  Sir Gokul Chand Narng,  Bhai Parmanand, Sukhdev Thapar, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Madan Lal Dhingra. Coming to the role of Punjabi Hindus in Punjabi Cinema and Literature, Raj Babbar, Balraj Sahni,  Mehar Mittal, Nandlal Nurpuri,  Lala Dhani Ram Chatrik,  Balwant Gargi, Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Satish Gujaral,  Ram Swaroop Ankhi, and  Sant Ram Udasi are only covered. However, there are many more who made significant contributions to the Punjabi culture. 

Subsequent chapters in the book are mere commentary on the Punjab politics up to the AAP Government days. The author could have given the perspective of Punjabi Hindus during the Punjabi Suba Movement and during the days of Operation Blue Star in 1984, and the period of insurgency after that. The role of newspapers and media run by Hindu media groups like Hind Samachar Group and others could have been brought out. He could have covered the role of prominent Hindu Politicians, Industrialists, farmers, Academicians, and many other Hindu personalities in various other walks of life. 

However, the book is good for a person interested in the History and Politics of Punjab.