Explores one of the most crucial factors leading to the non-Islamic paradigm in the political and social fabric of Punjab-the emergence of a Sikh 'space' from the time of advent of the gurus This book examines the state formation process in Punjab and the qualitative change in the hegemony of elites from Muslims to non-Muslims in the first half of the 19th century. It goes on to argue that the social fabric of elites was split into two distinct categories after the emergence of the Sikh faith.