Sikh History Research Centre Establishment & Heads
‘Sikh History Research Centre’ was established in Khalsa College Amritsar in the year 1931, during the Presidentship and Secretaryship of Sardar Sunder Singh Majithia and Dr. Sohan Singh. S. Karam Singh Historian was appointed the first Incharge of this Centre but due to unfortunate sudden death of the first Incharge the Managing committee appointed Sardar Jagat Singh, M.A. as the Incharge of the Centre for Six Months. After that Dr. Ganda Singh was appointed as the Incharge of the Sikh History Research Centre at Khalsa College Amritsar. The mission of this institution was preservation and conservation of the rare handwritten manuscripts and other historical documents relating Sikhism. From that time till today many prominent historians and historians have been serving this Research Centre. Really, the dreams of our educational administrators are becoming true. It is a matter of great pleasure for us that many Visitors and Research Scholars from all over India and abroad visit the Sikh History Research Centre for getting information concerning centuries back, in different disciplines such as Music, History, Literature etc. The research scholars especially of Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy often visit the Centre for the information required. All the visitors note their comments in the Visitor’s Book.
Dr. Ganda Singh (1931-1949) – By the relentless and continuous efforts of Dr. Ganda Singh from 1931 to 1949, he procured many ancient & rare handwritten manuscripts and other historical documents related to Sikhism and Sikh History for the Sikh History Research Centre. As a result, this Centre has become a significant treasure house of rare and prized documents in its possession. During his period of Dr. Ganda Singh, he edit many books especially ‘Kuliyaat-i-Bhai Nand Lal Goya’ (Persian Text-1963) which is an important document on Sikh Religious philosophy, ‘Qazi Nurmohammad’s Jungnama’ (Persian Text) and he wrote many books like ‘The Life of Banda Singh Bahadur’, ‘History of the Gurdwara Shahidganj’, ‘Contemporary Sources of Sikh History 1468-1707’, ‘Ahmad Shah Durrani’, ‘A bibliography of the Punjab’. ‘History of Khalsa College Amritsar’ written by Dr. Ganda Singh on the Golden Jubilee (1949) of Khalsa College Amritsar, is a rare historical document. This book is now translated in Punjabi edition by Deep Jagdeep Singh & published by Khalsa College Amritsar in 2021.
Dr. Kirpal Singh (1949-1965) – After Dr. Ganda Singh, Dr. Kirpal Singh was authorized as the Incharge of the Centre who served the Centre near about 16 years. Being the scholar of Urdu & Persian he played a tremendous role in the development of the Centre. He wrote many books ‘Life of Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala and His Times (1954)’, ‘A Catalogue of Persian and Sanskrit Manuscripts (1962)’, ‘A Catalogue of Punjabi & Urdu Manuscripts (1963)’ which proved to be a great contribution to the Research Centre.
Prof. Parkash Singh (1965-1981) – After Dr. Kirpal Singh, Prof. Parkash Singh joined as the Incharge of the Centre. He wrote and edited many books such as ‘The Saint Warrior Guru Gobind Singh (1967)’, ‘History of Khalsa College 1947-1975’ (Typed matter), ‘Guru Nanak and His Japji (1969)’, ‘Continuing of Influence of Bhai Vir Singh (1972)’, ‘Japji (1978)’, ‘Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sankhep Jiwni’ (1976)’, ‘Chhote Ghallughare Da Itihas’ (1979)’ which proved to be a remarkable contribution to the Reference library of the Centre.
Dr. Davinder Singh Vidyarthi (1981-1990) – In year 1981 Dr. Davinder Singh Vidyarthi was appointed as the Incharge of the Centre. His Doctorate was in Hindi language. He was well versed in Punjabi language also. He edited ‘Sri Guru Nanak Abhinandan Granth’ and ‘Sat Hindi Siharfi’ which are a remarkable contribution to the Centre.
Dr. Gurdev Singh Deol (1990-1996) – Dr. Gurdev Singh Deol served as the Incharge of the Centre for near about 6 years. During his period, he wrote the following books- ‘The Punjab Problem: An Academic Approach (Edited, 1989)’, ‘Dr. Ganda Singh, Jounal of Sikh Historical and Religious Studies, Vol. I (Edited, 1991)’, ‘Sardar Sundar Singh Majithia Life, Work & Mission (1992)’. These books are very beneficial for the research scholars.
Dr. Kulwinder Singh Bajwa (1996-2007) – After his appointment as the Incharge of the Sikh History Research Centre, Dr. Kulwinder Singh Bajwa re-wrote the ‘Brief History of Khalsa College Amritsar (2003)’ making additions in the book concerning the History of Khalsa College written by Dr. Ganda Singh. Moreover, he edited two books ‘Ghatnawali Sri Tarn Taran Sahib’ and ‘Akali Dal Sacha Sauda Baar’.
Dr. Inderjit Singh Gogoani (2007-2017) – Dr. Inderjit Singh Gogoani served as the Incharge of the Sikh History Research Centre for near about 10 years. Dr. Gogoani is a known Sikh Thinker, Philosopher, Gurbani Apprehender and Sikh Historian. During his period he wrote many books such as ‘Guru Gobind Singh Jiwan Te Phalspha’, Neeti Bachan’, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Updesh’, Giani Ditt Singh Rachnawli’, ‘Sampuran Sakhshiyat De 16 Gunn’, ‘Khalsa College Governing Council Amritsar Da Itihas (1890-2015)’. For the preservation of ancient monuments he got them digitalized. Near about 324000 pages were digitalized including ancient monuments, books & newspapers.
Dr. Kuldip Singh (2017-2021) – When Dr. Kuldip Singh was appointed as the Incharge of the Centre, the Centre was housed in a new grand building. The credit of this new grand building goes to the highest thoughtfulness and consideration of Honorable President S. Satyajit Singh Majithia, Honorary Secretary, S. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and Dr. Mehal Singh Principal Khalsa College. During his period of Dr. Kuldip Singh One Month Workshop for the conservation and preservation of all Historical Monuments (Sikh Religious Scriptures and Persian Literature relating Mugal period and Sikh-Raj) from 1st November 2018 to 30th November 2018) was held. In this workshop the training was given by Janab Ahmad Ali and his team of Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, Telangana. The purpose of this workshop was to give training to the staff members for preservation and maintenance of the historical documents for hundreds of years to come for the research Scholars so that they may get benefit from these rare documents and manuscripts. Moreover, Five Galleries were established in the Centre in which ancient pictures of Guru Sahiban and other religious & political personalities were beautifully established in frames for the visitor especially younger students to understand Sikh History through pictures.
Dr. Joginder Singh (2021-2022) – During his period Dr. Joginder Singh wrote articles concerning Sikh History in different newspapers such as ‘Sardul Singh Caveesher Ate Bartanvi Raj (Punjabi Tribune, 7 November 2021)’, ‘Singh Sabha Ate Khalsa Raj Di Sathapna: Singh Sabha Lehar De Usariye (Punjabi Tribune)’. The following books- ‘History of Khalsa College’ written by Dr. Ganda Singh (1949), ‘Khalsa College Da Itihas’ by Deep Jagdeep Singh (Punjabi Translation - 2021), ‘Afghanistan Da Safar’ written by Dr. Ganda Singh (1954) were reprinted and to make the contents understandable for the readers elaborated Introductions of these books have been written by Dr. Mehal Singh, Principal Khalsa College. Moreover, two hundred fifty five ancient coins were obtained from S. Parminder Singh of Ahmadgarh Town (Dist. Malerkotla). During his time Dr. Joginder Singh played a satisfactory role in streamlining the process of book binding.
Dr. Hardev Singh (2022 onwards) – Dr. Hardev Singh was appointed as Incharge of Sikh History Research Centre on 1st June 2022. His academic qualifications are, M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D. His doctorate is in Persian. Being the student of Persian his appointment in the Centre is somehow beneficial because in the Reference Library of the Centre there lies much more literature concerning Urdu & Persian. During the shift of books from the old building to the new one many of the books got haphazard. The work of cleaning, proper placing and maintaining them is going on. A book, ‘Bhai Nand Lal Ji Dian Rachnawan Ate Sikh Phalspha’ has been written by Dr. Hardev Singh and published by Khalsa College Amritsar in 2023. An elaborated introduction as flashlight on the contents of the book mentioned above is written by Dr. Mehal Singh Principal. It will be helpful to understand Gurmat philosophy not only for general readers but also for the research scholars. Taking in view the requirements some of the books are being Re-printed- ‘Kuliyaat Bhai Nand Lal Goya’ edited Dr. Ganda Singh (Persian Book-1963), ‘History of Khalsa College’ written by Dr. Ganda Singh (1949), ‘Khalsa College Da Itihas’ by Deep Jagdeep Singh (Punjabi Translation - 2021), ‘Afghanistan Da Safar’ written by Dr. Ganda Singh (1954) with the due permission of Dr. Mehal Singh, Principal of Khalsa College Amritsar. Moreover, two booklets ‘Morcha Guru Ka Bagh’ and ‘Saka Sri Panja Sahib’ published by SGPC Amritsar have been translated by Dr. Hardev Singh in Urdu for the Urdu readers. Moreover, a book, ‘Kalaam Baba Sheikh Farid Sahib Ma Tashrihaat Urdu Wa Farsi’ written by Dr. Hardev Singh and published by SGPC in 2021 has been donated to Khalsa College Library and a Photostat book ‘Tasnifat-i-Goya’ edited by Mahan Singh Giani, Khalsa Tract Society Amritsar has been donated to departmental library. ‘A Catalogue of Persian and Sanskrit’ (1962) by Dr. Kirpal Singh is edited and reprinted along with a book ‘Shaheedan-i-Nankana’ (1930) by Gurmukh Singh ‘Gurmukh’ which is in Urdu script, is reprinted and translated into Punjabi in the month of Feb. 2024.
Keeping in view the fundamental aims and objectives of the establishment of Khalsa College, the Governing Council, under the guidance of S. Satyajit Singh Majithia Honorable President, S. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina Honorary Secretary and righteous suggestions of Dr. Mehal Singh Principal has commenced a Bachelor Degree Course in Gurmat Studies, Bachelor in Gurmat Teacher Training from April. 2022 to educate and train the young sikh students in different religious activities so as to understand the Doctrines of Sikhism, Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sikh Secraments, Comparative Religious Studies, Practicalities of Gurbani Kirtan and Discourses on Gurbani and Sikh Theology. A class of 30 students without any fee, with free food and residential facilities are admitted every year. It is a matter of facilitation for the students of Gurmat Teacher Training Centre because they are being taught English and Urdu by Dr. Hardev Singh.