This project was publicly launched with a seminar in June 2009, the first of a series that is set to span the entire project duration. Over 100 people visited the Wills Memorial Building in Bristol to hear learned speakers such as Richard Reddie and Madge Dresser highlight the achievements of Banda Singh and the Khalsa Republic in contrast to the abolition of slavery in the UK.

In November of the same year, the Harmsworth Room, part of the historic Cabinet War Rooms in central London was the venue for the second seminar. A full-capacity audience of fifty people stepped back in time and into the remarkable venue to hear speakers Manjit Singh Gill QC, Palbinder Singh and Arminder Singh consider the Sikh concepts of Truth, Equality & Justice in the socio-political and legal Khalsa Republic of the early 18th century.

On Friday 21 May, 2010, Baroness Caroline Cox of Queensbury entertained the Sikh Education Council and esteemed guests to dinner in the House of Lords to celebrate 300 years since the victory at Sirhind. Over 90 invited guests attended the evening’s proceedings including scholars of Sikh studies; researchers and curators from public institutions; Punjabi associates and authors; and, volunteers and supporters of the SEC charity. Short speeches were given reflecting on the 300th anniversary by Richard Noake of York St John University, Manjit Singh Gill QC of No.5 chambers, Chairperson of the SEC Dr Pargat Singh, and the gracious host, Baroness Caroline Cox.