Non-Sikh scholars approach the Adi Granth much like archaeologists brushing dust off an ancient mosaic—carefully, methodically, and with an eye for every tiny fragment of context. Historical-critical methods serve as bread and butter: examining manuscripts from different Gurmukhi editions, comparing variants, and tracing the evolution of hymns over centuries. Philologists dig into the original Punjabi, Sanskrit, and Persian loanwords, peeling back layers to understand how medieval saints crafted metaphors that still resonate today.

Many pair textual analysis with fieldwork—visiting gurdwaras in Amritsar or rural Punjab to witness kirtan melodies that bring the verses to life. Musicologists, for example, study ragas and performance traditions, highlighting how a particular tune shapes devotion and meaning. Social scientists, meanwhile, situate the Granth within broader South Asian politics and caste dynamics, especially relevant given recent debates over heritage preservation in post-pandemic India.

Key names often pop up: early 20th-century scholars like Max Macauliffe laid the groundwork by translating banis into English, though sometimes through a colonial lens. Modern heavyweights—Pashaura Singh, Harjot Oberoi, and Doris Jakobsh—blend archival digs with digital-humanities tools, creating searchable databases and interactive manuscript maps. A 2024 conference at the University of British Columbia showcased a pilot project using AI to trace poetic influences across Guru Nanak’s verses and Sufi poets, an unexpected cross-pollination that hit the nail on the head for many attendees.

Interpretations vary widely. Some academics treat the Granth as a multi-vocal anthology, underlining its ecumenical spirit; others emphasize its role in forging a distinct Sikh identity during Mughal rule. Critiques aren’t shy either: outsider readings can sometimes miss the lived, devotional pulse—what scholars call “semantic drift.” Still, by weaving historical insight, linguistic rigor, and even musical resonance, non-Sikh academics continue to unlock fresh angles on this vibrant scripture, proving that understanding grows richer when disciplines collide.