Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Collaboration, Digitisation, Heritage, and the Legacy of Colonial Collections

This article examines the contested legacy of colonial collections, focusing on the digitisation and dialogical curation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib held at the John Rylands Library. It explores the ethical, legal, and cultural implications of preserving and digitising sacred artefacts acquired through colonial exploitation. Using the example of collaboration between The University of Manchester and the Sikh community, the article highlights how digital technologies can both democratise access and perpetuate epistemological violence. By tracing the history, provenance, and recent community consultations, the article underscores the importance of dialogical curation in addressing the legacies of colonialism.