Dalip Singh Saund

author

Dalip Singh Saund

1899–1973

A Sikh immigrant from Punjab who became the first Asian American, first Indian American, and first Sikh elected to the U.S. Congress, his life traced an extraordinary path from farm labor and higher education to national politics. His story stands out for its mix of persistence, public service, and barrier-breaking firsts.

1 Audiobook

My mother India

My mother India

by Dalip Singh Saund

About the author

Born in Punjab in 1899, he came to the United States to continue his education and earned advanced degrees at the University of California, Berkeley. Before entering politics, he worked in California's Imperial Valley and became active in civic life, building a reputation as a thoughtful community leader.

In 1956, he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives from California, becoming the first Asian American, first Indian American, and first Sikh to serve in Congress. He was reelected twice and was known for his interest in international affairs as well as the concerns of his district.

His career is also remembered in the larger story of immigration and citizenship in America. After years in which Asian immigrants faced severe legal barriers, he became one of the most visible examples of how those barriers could be challenged, and his public life remains a landmark in American political history.