Chief Khalsa Diwan

In this blog post, we are dealing with the Topic “Formation of Khalsa Diwas & Chief Khalsa Diwan”. Amritsar Singh Sabha and Lahore Singh Sabha made a joint board called the General Sabha. This replaced by the Khalsa Diwan that set up in Amritsar in 1883.

Chief Khalsa Diwan

This Khalsa Diwan became centre for all Singh Sabhas. But due to some problems Khalsa Diwan established at Lahore in 1886. Necessity arose to set up a central organization to unite all Singh Sabhas and their members.

Consequently, on 12^th Aprit, 1900, a large gathering of Sikhs called at Amritsar and they decided to establish a Khalsa Diwan Supreme. They also formed a Committee to draft constitution of Khalsa Diwan Supreme.

In 1902, (on Aug.19), the Sikhs made/decided to set up the main council of Sikh Panth (community) called the Chief Khalsa Diwan; and the committee for this Chief Khalsa Diwan formed and called Chief Khalsa Diwan Prabandhak Committee.

The 1^st meeting of CKD held on 30^th Oct., 1902 to which 29 Singh Sabhas affiliated. Since that day the Chief Khalsa Diwan became the representative of the Sikh community.

Other Important works resulted by the efforts of Singh Sabha Movement.

1. Western education

Western style education for intellectual progress, opening of more schools for children & colleges with religion based. Their very traditional system of education was changed. Their traditional education purpose was for reading Guru Granth especially Japuji of Guru Nanak.

2. Secular school & education

Schools inclining religious neutrality opened by the British; The English schools for higher education, but lower level of education was in Urdu. Christian mission schools also opened without much objection.

3. Religious societies

The Education, under other religious societies in India Muslims, Arya Samajists & Singh Sabha opened schools. Singh Sabha schools encouraged Sikhism and Punjabi language.

4. Government College

New Government College opened at Lahore in 1865 G.W.Leitner, the College Principal, founded Anjuman-I-Punjab which became the useful means for compiling a number of treatises and translations in Urdu, Hindi, & Punjabi.

It also started oriental school that became instrumental in the establishment of Punjab University College in 1870. European science and Eastern classical languages were studied.

It through the effort of Anjuman-i-Punjab & Punjab University College leaders that Gurumukhi script admitted into university curriculum.

5. Establishment of Khalsa College

The Leaders and members of Singh Sabha favoured establishment of Khalsa College. Maharajas of Patiala, Nabha and Kapurthala made contribution.

In 1892 March 5, the foundation stone of the Khalsa College laid in Amritsar by Sir James Lyall. Many members of Singh Sabha attended.

6. Formation of Khalsa Vidyarthy Sabha (Sikh Students’ Club).

Inspired by Singh Sabhas Sikh youth members assembled and formed Khalsa Vidyarthy Sabha. They met every Saturday.

7. Formation of Sikh Education Conference.

In 1908, Sikh Education Conference founded with the following objectives –

1. Firstly, to spread western education among the Sikhs.
2. Secondly, to promote the study of Sikh literature.
3. Thirdly, to improve Sikh educational institutions.
4. Fourth, to open new educational institutions.
5. Fiftly, to further the cause of female education among the Sikhs.
6. Sixtly, to promote technical and agricultural education.

More schools for boys and girls were opened. Printing presses were set up-magazines, newspapers, books, were printed. Translation of Guru Granth into English was done in 1909.