During the last few months, I have visited many schools that were built during British rule by different communities for the promotion of education. These were privately funded and managed institutions. One such institute was Khalsa College, Lyallpur, a great educational institution whose foundation was laid in 1908, quite early in the history of the city of Lyallpur, which had been established around 1890. It stands as a testament to the services rendered by the Sikh community in the field of education in this region.
The British annexed Punjab in 1849. In the following years, they initiated several canal projects to irrigate the fertile but thirsty lands of Punjab. One such project was launched in the area between the rivers Chenab and Ravi, known as the Rechna Doab. It was called the Chenab Colony, and Lyallpur was established in 1890 as the administrative headquarters of this colony. The city was named in honour of the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, Sir James Broadwood Lyall. For more information about the development of the city and colony, kindly visit “076. The Chenab Colony."
We have noted above that it was established in 1908. At the beginning, it started as a High School, but later on was upgraded to a college in 1927. After the partition, the college was moved to Jalandhar and is still known as Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar. The current institute was named the Government Municipal Graduate Faisalabad. I read an article by Khawara Randhawa on December 5, 2024, in
The Express Tribune.
The college is located in the heart of the sprawling city at:
31°25'6.90"N, 73° 6'24.27"E, on Faisalabad - Jaranwala Road, about three kilometers east of the famous
Ghanta Ghar or the Clock Tower, the most famous landmark of the city.
Khalsa College Lyallapur (Govt. Municipal Graduate College). (05.10.2025.)
Another view of the beatufiul main entrance of building. (05.10.2025.)
The college still stands in its original glory. (05.10.2025.)
Verandah in front of the main hall. (05.10.2025.)
The entrance of the main hall. (05.10.2025.)
On both sides of the main door of the hall are fixed two plaques that provide valuable information about the history of this famous school.
੧ ਓ ਵਾਹਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਰਹ
ਵਿਦ੍ਯਾ ਵਿਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰ ਉਪਕਾਰੀ
ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਹਾਈ ਸਕੂਲ ਲਾਯਲਪੁਰ ਦਾ ਬੁਨਯਾਦੀ ਪੱਥਰਜਿਸਨੂੰ
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮਾਨ (ਸੰਤ) ਭਾਈ ਅਤ੍ਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖ ਪਿਯਾਰੇ ਨੇ
ਅਪਨੇ ਸੁਭਾਗ ਹਥਾਂ ਨਾਲ
ਪੰਥ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਆਗਿਯਾ ਵਿਚ (ਅਬਿਚਲ ਨੀਵ ਧਰੀ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਿਨ ਦਿਨ ਚੜੇ ਸਵਾਈ ) ਧਰਿਨਾਂ
ਮਿਤੀ ੧੨ ਪੋਹ ਸੰਮਤ ਨਾਨਕ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੪੪੦
THE FOUNDATION STONE OF
THE KHALSA HIGH SCHOOL LYALLPORE
LAID BY
SANT BHAI ATTAR SINGH GURMUKH PIYARA
25TH DEC. 1908
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ایک ہے خالقِ حقیقی، فتح واہِ گرو جی کی ہے۔
جب علم پر غور کیا جائے تو انسان دوسروں کے لیے فائدہ مند بن جاتا ہے۔
خالصہ ہائی سکول لائلپور دا بنیادی پتھر
جس نوں
سری مان (سنت) بھائی اتر سنگھ جی گورمُکھ پیارے نے
اپنے سُبھاگ ہتھاں نال
(نے اپنے مبارک ہاتھوں سے)
پنتھ گرو دی آگیا وِچ (آبِچل نیو دھری گرو نانک دِن دِن چڑے سوائی) دھرناں
پنتھ اور گرو کے حکم کی تعمیل میں رکھی۔
(" گرو نانک کی رکھی ہوئی یہ بنیاد ہمیشہ مضبوط رہے اور دن بدن اس کی شان میں اضافہ ہو")
مِتی 12 پوہ سمت نانک شاہی 440
خالصہ ہائی سکول لائلپور
کا سنگ بنیاد رکھا سنت بھائی اتر سنگھ گورمُکھ پیارا نے
25 دسمبر 1908
God is One, and victory belongs to the Almighty Waheguru.
When knowledge is properly reflected upon, it leads to doing good for others.
The foundation stone of Khalsa High School, Lyallpur,
which was laid
by Respected (Saint) Bhai Atar Singh Ji, the beloved Gurmukh,
with his own blessed hands,
in obedience to the command of the Panth and the Guru,
(“An unshakable foundation was laid — may the glory of Guru Nanak increase day by day”),
on the 12th of Poh, in the Nanakshahi year 440.
ਧਰਤ ਸੁਹਾਵੜੀ ਸੰਗ ਸੁਵਨੜੀ ਇਹ
ਵਿਰਲੇ ਕੋਈ ਪਾਈਅਹਿ ਜਿਨਾ ਪਯਾਰੇ ਨੇਹ
ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਹਾਈ ਸਕੂਲ ਲਾਯਲਪੁਰ ਦੀ ਇਹ ਭੂਮ ਰੰਗਾਲੀ
ਸ੍ਰਦਾਰ ਜਵੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਕ ਨੰਬਰ ੨੧੩ ਨੇ ਅਪਨੇ ਧੰਨਯ ਭਾਗ ਜਾਣਕ ਕੇ
(ਖੇਤ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਬੀਜਹਿ ਦਾਨ) ਗੁਰ ਵਾਕ ਅਨਸਾਰ ਪੰਥ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਵਿਚ ਸਮਰਪਨ ਕੀਤੀ
THIS PIECE OF LAND FOR
THE KHALSA HIGH SCHOOL LYALLPUR
IS THE GIFT OF SARDAR JAWAND SINGH
OF CHAK NO. 213
Verandah in front of the hall. (05.10.2025.) Inside view of the hall. (05.10.2025.)
A section on the back side. (05.10.2025.)
A row of rooms on the back side. (05.10.2025.)
A small garden. (05.10.2025.)
A tree planted by Sant Attar Singh. (05.10.2025.)A beautiful view of a section of the school. (05.10.2025.)The other side of the hall, opening towards the garden. (05.10.2025.)
A building used as the staff room. (05.10.2025.)
Looking towards the college from the library. (05.10.2025.)
A view of the college from a pedestrian bridge on the road. (05.10.2025.)
An adjacent road. (05.10.2025.)
In all such buildings, whether gurdwaras or schools, the main attraction for me are the plaques fixed on the walls. They provide the most authentic information about the history of the buildings and the people who built them. I was expecting to find many plaques in such a large and historic building, but their number was far below my expectations. What was even more surprising was that, except for one, none of them bore any dates, something quite unusual. Therefore, we cannot determine with certainty the different phases of construction.
੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
ਇ ਕਮਰਾ
ਸ੍ਰ: ਭੰਗਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਸਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਸ੍ਰ: ਖੜਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਰਈਸ
ਚਕ ਨੰ: ੨੧੩
ਰਖ ਬ੍ਰਾੰਚ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਧੰਨ ਘਾਗ ਜਾਣਕੇ
ਬਣਵਾਯਾ
1 اونکار ست گورپرساد
ایہ کمرا
سردار بھنگا سنگھ جی سپتر سردار کھڑک سنگھ جی رئیس
چک نمبر 213
رکھ برانچ نے آپڑیں دھن بھاگا جانڑ کے
بنڑوایا
One Universal Creator God. Realized by the grace of the True Guru.
Sardar Bhanga Singh Ji s/o of Sardar Khadak Singh Ji,
a notable resident of Chak No. 213,
had this room constructed, considering it his good fortune.
੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
ਇ ਕਮਰਾ
ਸ੍ਰ: ਜਗਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਸਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਸ੍ਰ: ਹੁਕਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ
ਚਕ ਨੰ: ੨੧੩
ਰਖ ਬ੍ਰਾੰਚ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਧੰਨ ਘਾਗ ਜਾਣਕੇ
ਬਣਵਾਯਾ
1 اونکار ست گورپرساد
ایہ کمرا
سردار جگندر سنگھ جی سپُتر سردار حُکم سنگھ جی
چک نمبر 213
رکھ برانچ نے آپڑیں دھن بھاگا جانڑ کے
بنڑوایا
One Universal Creator God. Realized by the grace of the True Guru.
Sardar Joginder Singh ji s/o Sardar Hukam Singh ji of
Chak No. 213, had this room constructed, considering his good fortune.
੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
ਇ ਕਮਰਾ
ਸ੍ਰ: ਈਸ਼ਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਰਈਸ ਸਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਸ੍ਰ: ਪ੍ਰਤਾਪ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ
ਚਕ ਨੰ: ੨੧੩
ਰਖ ਬ੍ਰਾੰਚ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਧੰਨ ਘਾਗ ਜਾਣਕੇ
ਬਣਵਾਯਾ
1 اونکار ست گورپرساد
ایہ کمرا
سردار ایشر سنگھ جی رئیس سپُتر سردار پرتاپ سنگھ جی
چک نمبر 213
رکھ برانچ نے آپڑیں دھن بھاگا جانڑ کے
بنڑوایا
One Universal Creator God. Realized by the grace of the True Guru.
Sardar Eshar Singh ji, a notable figure s/o Sardar Partap Singh ji of
Chak No. 213, had this room constructed, considering his good fortune.
੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
ਇ ਕਮਰਾ
ਸ੍ਰ: ਸੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਸਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਸ੍ਰ: ਅਤਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ
ਚਕ ਨੰ: ੨੦੭
ਰਖ ਬ੍ਰਾੰਚ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਧੰਨ ਘਾਗ ਜਾਣਕੇ
ਬਣਵਾਯਾ
1 اونکار ست گورپرساد
ایہ کمرا
سردار سنت سنگھ جی سپُتر سردار اتر سنگھ جی
چک نمبر 207
رکھ برانچ نے آپڑیں دھن بھاگا جانڑ کے
بنڑوایا
One Universal Creator God. Realized by the grace of the True Guru.
Sardar Sant Singh ji s/o Sardar Atar Singh ji of Chak No. 207,
had this room constructed, considering it his good fortune.
੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
ਇ ਕਮਰਾ
ਗੁਰਪੁਰ ਨਵਾਸੀ ਸ੍ਰ: ਲੇਹਣਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰ: ਸ਼ਾਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ
ਵਾਸੀ ਨਾਰੰਗਵਾਲ (ਲੁਧਿਆਨਾ) ਦੀ ਯਾਦਗਾਰ ਲਈ
ਸ੍ਰ: ਹਰਨਾਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰ: ਹਰਿ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ
ਚਕ ਨੰ: ੪੧ ਝੰਗ ਬ੍ਰਾੰਚ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਬਣਵਾਯਾ
1 اونکار ست گورپرساد
ایہ کمرا
گور پورواسی سردار لہڑاں سنگھ جی تے سردار شام سنگھ جی
واسی نارنگ وال (لدھیانہ) دی یادگار لئی
سردار ہرنام سنگھ جی تے سردار ہری سنگھ جی
چک نمبر 41 جھنگ برانچ والیاں نے بنڑوایا
One Universal Creator God. Realized by the grace of the True Guru.
This room was built by Sardar Harnam Singh Ji and Sardar Hari Singh Ji of Chak No. 41, Jhang Branch, in memory of Sardar Lehna Singh Ji and Sardar Shyam Singh Ji, residents of
Narangwal (Ludhiana).
੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
ਇ ਕਮਰਾ
ਭਾਈ ਉਤਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ
ਰਈਸ, ਮਿਲ ਓਨਰ
ਨਣਕਾਣਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨੇ
ਆਪਣੇ ਧੰਨ ਭਾਗ ਜਾਣਕੇ ਬਣਵਾਯਾ
1 اونکار ست گورپرساد
ایہ کمرا
بھائی اُتم سنگھ جی
رئیس، مِل اونر
ننڑکاڑا صاحب نے
آپڑیں دھن بھاگ جانڑ کے بنڑوایا
One Universal Creator God. Realized by the grace of the True Guru.
Bhai Uttam Singh Ji, a respected landlord and mill owner from Nankana Sahib, had this room built, considering it his good fortune.
੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
ਇ ਕਮਰਾ
ਗੁਰਪੁਰ ਨਵਾਸੀ ਭਾਈ ਟੈਹਲਾ ਮਲ
ਹਾਜੂਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਗੁਗੇਰਿਆਂ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੀ ਯਾਦਗਾਰ ਲਈ
ਚੌਧਰੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦਿਤਾ ਮਲ, ਸੁੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ
ਜਵਾਹਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਬਣਵਾਯਾ
1 اونکار ست گورپرساد
ایہ کمرا
گورپر نواسی بھائی ٹہلا مل
ہجور سنگھ جی گوگیریاں والے دی یادگار لئی
چودھری صاحب دِتا مل، سُندر سنگھ
جواہر سنگھ جی نے بنڑوایا
One Universal Creator God. Realized by the grace of the True Guru.
Chaudhry Sahib Ditta Mal & Sundar Singh, had this room constructed in memory of
late Bhai Tehla Mal & Hajoor Singh of Gugerian.
From the above plaques, we learn the names of a few individuals who contributed to the establishment of this institution. However, since the dates are missing, it is not possible to determine when these donations were made or when the respective rooms were constructed. It may reasonably be assumed that the construction began in 1908 and was completed within the next few years.
On the fist plaque we have seen that the foundation stone, of this school, was laid by Sant Sardar Attar Singh ji. If I am not wrong the same persona laid the foundation stone of another college, the Khalsa College, Gujranwala. The picture is given below, which I took in 2017.
੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ
ਅਬਿਚਲ ਨੀਵ ਧਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਤ ਨਿਤ ਚੜੇ ਸਵਾਈ
ਸਿਦਿਆ ਵਿਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰ ਉਪਕਾਰੀ
ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਕਾਲਜ
ਦੀ ਬੁਨਿਆਦੀ ਪਥਰ ਰਖ੍ਯਾ
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮਾਨ ਗੁਰਮੁਖ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਸੰਤ ਅਤਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਮਹਾਰਾਜ
੧੮ ਚੇਤ੍ਰ ਸੰਮਤ ਨਾਨਕ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੪੪੯
AN EVERLASTING FOUNDATION STONE HAS BEEN LAID BY
GURU NANAK
& EACH DAY SHALL SEE IT PROSPER MORE AND MORE.
EDUCATION LINKED WITH DIVINE WISDOM
MAKETH ONE THE SERVANT OF MANKIND
THE FOUNDATION STONE OF
GURU NANAK KHALSA COLLEGE
WAS LAID BY
REVERED SAINT ATTAR SINGH JI MAHARAJ
30TH MARCH 1918
Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji was born in 1867 in the village of Cheema, then part of the State of Patiala, now in District Sangrur. He was a saintly figure, deeply revered by the Sikh community. I shall try to share more details about him in another article. He died in 1927.
A visit to this college provided valuable insight into the spread of education and the development of educational institutions in this part of Punjab. It especially highlights the efforts of the Sikh community in this field. It is heartening to see that, even after more than a century, the school continues to spread the light of knowledge. It stands as a living monument to the commitment and efforts of those who believed in spreading the light of education.
This story of this school has an happy ending, as the original name also has survived and to this date the original college and its traditions are alive in Jalandhar. After partition the college management migrated to Jalandhar and continued their journey under the same banner and name of Lyallpur Khalsa College. Jalandhar.
Tariq Amir
October 25, 2025.
Islamabad
