Nearly Century old Sikh History Research Centre at Khalsa College gets New Head

Noted Historian Dr. Joginder Singh Joins as Head

 Amritsar, June 7 (Punjab Post Bureau) – The newly-preserved Sikh History Research Centre (SHRC) Khalsa College, Amritsar today got a new head as noted historian Dr. Joginder Singh was appointed as Professor of Eminence at the Centre. He joined office in the presence of Khalsa College Governing Council Centre top office bearers including Vice President Swinder Singh Kathunangal and honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina.

            The Centre which dates back to the pre-partition era was established in 1930 and has been re-shaped with its rare books, documents and manuscripts digitized recently. The present in charge of SHRC Dr. Kuldip Singh has gone back to department of Punjabi Studies as the management decided to give a new fillip to the research and academics at the Centre.

            “We have pinned high hopes upon Dr. Joginder Singh who is a renowned researcher and historian. Our aim is to make the Centre one of the best in the state”, said Chhina adding that research on Punjab history and that of Sikhs is the primary aim of the Centre which was once headed by legendary Dr. Ganda Singh and Bhai Jodh Singh.

            Kathunangal also welcomed new head showering praises for his past work as former head of department of history at GNDU. Principal Dr. Mehal Singh while welcoming new head to the office said the primary aim of the Centre is to initiate research in history of Punjab and Sikhs affairs. “We will definitely gain from his experience”, hoped Dr. Mehal Singh.

            There are hundreds of rare books, manuscripts and hand-written documents belonging to the times of Sikh Gurus, Anglo-Sikh Wars and Indo-Pak Partition at the 91-year-old Sikh History Research Centre and Museum. The project of digitization is going on in a major way and old scriptures have been restored and preserved.

            The Centre also houses a beautiful Museum where more than 6274 books including rare books in English and Punjabi dating back to 16th and 17th century are placed. “There are manuscripts and documents in Urdu, Sanskrit and Persian also, apart from newspapers and magazines as old as 1904’’, said Chhina adding that the Centre has been shifted to a new building recently with ultra-modern facilities and preservation material.

            The weapons belonging to the times of Khalsa Army and other Sikh Wars later besides the old coins of Sikh era are also present. “It is a treasure house for the Sikh history and culture. Hundreds of students use the documents for their research activities. Now we have planned to preserve all the rare documents and books in the museum by using the latest digital technology”, said Gunbir Singh, joint secretary, finance.

            Dr. Joginder Singh meanwhile said he was happy to be associated with 130 years old Khalsa College and would do his best to promote research and studies at the Centre which is more of a passion than a job.