A historical photograph from Victoria offers evidence of early Sikh religious life in Australia, while researchers examine the origins of the community’s sacred scripture in the country
The arrival of the Guru Granth Sahib in Australia around 1920 marks an important chapter in the history of the Indian diaspora, with historical photographs helping researchers document the religious life of early Sikh migrants.
A photograph taken at Benalla, in the Australian state of Victoria, on December 16, 1920, is considered potentially the earliest photographic evidence of the Sikh holy scripture being ceremonially installed or worshipped in the country. The image shows a gathering of Indian men at a religious event in the area known as Reef Hills.
Historical accounts connect the gathering with the Akhand Path, the continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, held following the death of a Sikh man named Harnam Singh earlier that year. The scripture had reportedly arrived from India in time for the ceremony.
The photograph was taken by W.J. Howship and is preserved in the University of Melbourne Archives. It has become an important reference for researchers studying the early Sikh presence in Australia.
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Historians Len Kenna and Crystal Jordan have helped bring such records to wider attention through their research into the history of Indians and other ethnic communities in Australia
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Their work draws on photographs, archival documents and accounts of early migrant life
The discovery also adds to discussions about when the Guru Granth Sahib first reached Australian shores. While the 1920 photograph provides significant documentary evidence, some historical accounts suggest that copies of the scripture may have arrived earlier, possibly in the late 19th century. The precise chronology remains a subject of historical investigation.
Sikh migration to Australia began well before the establishment of large, organised community institutions. Early migrants worked in various occupations, including agriculture, trade and transport, often maintaining religious and cultural practices despite geographical isolation.
The Guru Granth Sahib occupies a central place in Sikhism and is revered as the eternal Guru. Its presence enabled early Sikh settlers to sustain worship, community gatherings and religious traditions far from Punjab.
The historical record from Benalla offers a glimpse into how Sikh migrants preserved their faith and identity in Australia more than a century ago. It also highlights the importance of archival photographs in documenting the contribution and experiences of Indian communities overseas.
