Life and Times of Hardit Singh Malik: A Theological–Historiographical Analysis
Devinder Pal Singh
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Abstract:
This article examines the life and legacy of Sardar Hardit Singh Malik from both historical and theological viewpoints. Malik was a trailblazing Sikh aviator, diplomat, and statesman during World War I. He lived by Sikh values such as seva (selfless service), miri-piri (balancing the spiritual and worldly), and chardi kala (resilient optimism). Using biographical sources and archival records, the study looks at how his Sikh identity influenced his work with imperial institutions, warfare, and diplomacy. The article pays special attention to his determination to continue wearing his turban despite institutional opposition viewing it as an act of cultural preservation and spiritual strength.
It points out that colonial histories often ignore non-European contributions and notes that there are now efforts to recognize Malik’s legacy. It also explains that Malik’s life cannot be reduced to just colonizer or colonized, but instead reflects a complex mix of loyalty, agency, identity, and global Sikh modernity.
Keywords:
Historiography, World War I, Colonial Military History, Religious Identity, Miri-Piri, Chardi Kala, Royal Flying Corps, Postcolonial Studies
Citation: Devinder Pal Singh (2026). Life and Times of Hardit Singh Malik: A Theological–Historiographical Analysis. Horizon J. Hum. Soc. Sci. Res. 8 (1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2026.v8.n1.id1368.p31
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