184. Khalsa High School, Rawalpindi ! (Govt. Muslim Higher Secondary School, No. 1, Saidpur Road, Rawalpindi)

The Sikh community, before partition, built many schools in this region to promote education, and their efforts deserve high appreciation and praise. A couple of them I have already visited. One such school is formerly Khalsa High School, Rawalpindi. It is a very famous school and its history too is widely known, due to the interest shown by many vloggers and social media content creators. I too was eager to visit it. 

In my previous post about Gurdwara Akalgarh, Rawalpindi, I wrote about how, in order to obtain permission to enter the school, I met Mr. Shahenshah Babur Khan, the District Education Officer. His name is regal, but his demeanour is soft and humble. He was very pleased to learn about my interest in history and heritage. He not only granted me permission to visit the school but also suggested that I visit another historic school, located a short distance from his office. He was so kind that he even offered to accompany me on this visit. It was a Friday, and we planned to go there at the earliest on Monday, September 19, 2025.

The school is located at  33°37'48.36"N,  73° 3'46.97"E, on Saidpur Road. This school was built in 1913 and at that time, it must have been on the edge of the city. Some sources claim that a school was established during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and later on, during the British rule, was given the status of a High School. An article in Dawn, published on June 16, 2019, gives the following information about the school. 

For more than 200 years, the Government Muslim Higher Secondary School on Saidpur Road has continued to impart education to students.

In 1813, during Sikh rule in Punjab before the arrival of the British, a small school was opened to provide education to the local Sikh community.

Under colonial rule, the small religious school was given high school status, and moved to a new building in 1913 spread over more than 100 kanals of land to accommodate more students. The school also opened its doors to other communities, such as Hindus and Muslims. 

Then known as Khalsa High School, the institution became one of the biggest schools in the district and taught many people in northern Punjab.

Impressive facade of the school. (19.09.2025.)

The façade is a two-storey structure. On close observation, I realised that it was not a closed structure but open at the front with three arches, which have now been sealed, with one designed as the mihrab of a mosque. This hall now serves as a mosque. The mosque, originally a verandah, has three doors leading to a huge hall at the back. Two plaques are fixed on the wall of this main hall.

An entrance to the main hall. (19.09.2025.)

ਵਿਦਯਾਵੀਚਾਰੀ  ਤਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਓਪਕਰੀ

੧ ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ

ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਹਾਈ ਸਕੂਲ 

ਗਵਾਲਮੰਡੀ ਦੀ ਇਮਾਰਤ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਪਥਰ 

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਜੂਰ ਸਰ ਮਾਈਕਲ ਫਰੈਸਿਸ 

ਓ ਡਵਾਇਰ  ਕੇ. ਸੀ. ਅੇਸ. ਅਈ.

ਲੈਫ਼ਟੀਨੰਟ ਗਵਰਨਰ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੇ ਰਖਿਆ

ਮਿਤੀ ਸਾਵਨ ਦਿਨ ੧੭ ਸੰ: ੪੪੪ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ  ਦੇਵ 

وِدیا وِچاری تاں پروپکاری

(جو شخص علم پر غور و فکر کرتا ہے، وہ دوسروں کا ہمدرد اور مددگار بن جاتا ہے۔)

1 اونکار ست گرو پرساد

(ایک ازلی و ابدی حقیقت (اک اونکار) ہے، جو سچے گرو کے فضل سے پہچانی جاتی ہے۔)

خالصہ ہائی سکول

راولپنڈی دی عمارت دا ایہہ پتھر

سری حضور سر مائیکل فرانسس

او ڈوائِر   کے۔ سی۔ ایس۔ آئی۔ 

لیفٹیننٹ گورنر پنجاب نے رکھیا

مِتی ساون دن 17 سن: 444 گرو نانک دیو (1913 ء)

One who reflects upon knowledge becomes benevolent (helpful to others)

There is One Eternal Reality (Ik Oaṅkār), realized by the true Guru’s grace (Satgur Parsād).

KHALSA HIGH SCHOOL

This building's foundation stone was laid by the Honourable Sir Michael Francis O'Dwyer K.S.C.I., Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. 

Date: Swan 17, 444 Guru Nank Dev (1913 AD)  

____________________________________________

THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE 

KHALSA HIGH SCHOOL

RAWAL  PINDI

WAS  LAID  BY

H.H.SIR MICHAEL FRANCIS

O'DWYER  *    K.C.S.I.

Lieut. Governor of The PUNJAB

ON 1ST AUGUST 1913

K.C.S.I.   Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India

The above plaque is very significant as it mentions the year the foundation of this school was laid. Equally important is another fact of great historical value, the identity of the person who laid the foundation. It was none other than the man under whose watch the infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar took place in 1919. He was born in 1864 in Ireland and assumed charge as the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab in May 1913. After the tragedy in Amritsar, he defended and justified the actions of Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, the military officer who ordered the shooting at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919. The Indian people never forgot or forgave him, and he was assassinated in London on March 13, 1940, by Udham Singh, an Indian revolutionary.

Sir Michael O'Dwyer (1864 - 1940)

LIST OF PRINCIPAL DONORS

Estate Sardar Sohan Singh, Sardar Mohan Singh                                               Rs. 6,000

Raghunath Mandir Committe Through Sardar Sohan Singh                              Rs. 1,600 

Sardar Sohan Singh                                                                                             Rs. 1,001

Sardar Bahadur Sardar Mohan Singh                                                                  Rs. 1,000

Ch. Ram Singh Sawhney  Land & Cash                                                              Rs. 500

R.B.S Boota Singh Timber Rs. 1,500 & Cash                                                     Rs. 500

Sardar Bahdur Malik Mohan Singh                                                                     Rs. 1,100

His Highness The Mahraja of Faridkot                                                                Rs. 1,000

Malik Chhaibar Singh in Memory of his wife Shrimati Bhagwanti                    Rs. 1,000

Sardar Bahdur Captain Damodar Singh                                                               Rs. 1,000

Sardarni Bishen Devi                                                                                            Rs. 1,000

Sardar Narain Singh                                                                                              Rs. 670

Sardar Taba Singh, Baldev Singh in memory of their brother Balbir Singh         Rs. 640

Sardar Bachel Singh                                                                                              Rs. 500

Prayer hall of the mosque. (19.09.2025.)

The left wing of the school. (19.09.2025.)

Beautiful lawn in the west wing. (19.09.2025.)

A plaque fixed on a wall in the left wing. (19.09.2025.)

The main hall, looking from the left side. (19.09.2025.)

A verandah. (19.09.2025.)

Beautifully built round, and pointed arches. (19.09.2025.)

Offices of the school. (19.09.2025.)

The right wing of the school. (19.09.2025.)

 A classroom. (19.09.2025.)

 Another view of the right wing. (19.09.2025.)

 This banyan tree is also historic, as it is said to be older than the school. (19.09.2025.)

 

 The main hall of the school. (19.09.2025.)

 Another view of the hall. (19.09.2025.)

At the beginning of the article, I mentioned my meeting with Mr Shahenshah Babur Khan, the District Education Officer. With his cooperation, the visit to this school was very interesting and informative. Besides this school, he informed me about many such historic schools in the area. Which we shall visit in future, whenever opportunity arises. His knowledge, not only about the schools, but history and historical places in general is remarkable. I am sure with his help and guidance, I shall be able to write more on similar interesting and informative subjects. 

The writer with Mr Shahenshah Babur Khan (left), the District Education Officer. (19.09.2025.)

Tariq Amir

September 25, 2025.

Islamabad

183. Gurdwara Akalgarh, Rawalpindi! (Govt. Muslim Elementary School, Gulshanabad.)

Before 1947, Sikhs formed a significant proportion of the population of Rawalpindi. According to the 1941 census, they constituted 17.32% of the population, while Hindus made up 33.72% and Muslims, being the largest community, 43.79%, out of a total population of 185,042. Naturally, all these communities had their places of worship in the city, including the Sikhs. So far, I have visited six gurdwaras in the city, which had to be abandoned at the time of Partition. You can search for them or find the link in the list on the right side of the blog, on a page dedicated to the category of Gurdwaras.

But there are many gurdwaras in the city which I wanted to visit. One of them is very close to the famous Gurdwara / Temple complex of Bagh Saradaran, a famous and magnificent landmark of the city in the pre-partition era. The locality is still known as Akalgarh but is also now called Gulshanabad. Perhaps both names are in official use. The gurdwara nowadays serves as the Government Muslim Elementary School, Gulshanabad, Rawalpindi. The old gurdwara is located at:  33°37'7.66"N,  73° 3'11.28"E. 

I visited this gurdwara a few days ago, on September 16, 2025. I was happy to find it easily and was expecting smooth sailing further. I took a few pictures of the front of the school and was pleased to see that a plaque was still prominently displayed on the main gate. But more about it later. I knocked at the door and a watchman appeared. I told him my purpose of visit. He returned after a couple of minutes and told me that, without official permission, I could not take pictures inside; however, I could meet the headmaster sahib.

The headmaster, Asghar Ali sahib, welcomed me graciously, appreciated my interest in our heritage and also expressed his great interest in history and old buildings. But showed his inability to give me permission to take pictures. However, he advised to me to visit the office of the District Education Office and take permission. This dejected me a little; I was expecting a long and cumbersome interview and even longer red tape. But I proved wrong, and after reaching the office, within a minute, I found myself in front of a remarkable gentleman, Mr Shahenshah Babur Khan, the District Education Officer. I shall write about him in detail in my next post. In short, I left the office with permission to visit the school.

Gurdwara Akalgarh. (16.09.2025.)

Government Muslim Elementary School, Gulshanabad.

A wider view from the street. (16.09.2025.)

ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰਾ ਅਕਾਲ ਗੜ੍ਹ

੧ ਓ

ਇਸ ਦ੍ਰਸ਼ਨੀ ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ੇ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਾਈ

ਸਿਰੀਮਤੀ  ਰਾਮਪਿਆਰੀ ਸੁਪਤਨੀ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਕਾਬਲੀ

ਜਨਰਲ ਅਜੰਟ ਰਾਵਲਪਿੰਡੀ

ਵਿਸਾਖ ੧ ਸੰ: ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ੨੩੭ ਨ: ਸੰ: ੪੬੬ ਬਿਕਰਮੀ ੧੯੯੨

گوردواہ اکال گڑھ

1 اونکار

اس درشنی دروازے دی سیوا کرائی

سریمتی رام پیاری سپُتنی دیوان نانک سنگھ کابلی

جنرل ایجنٹ راولپنڈی

وِساکھ 1 سن: خالصہ 237    ناناک شاہی سن: 466    بِکرمی 1992 (1935ء)

Gurdwara Akalgarh

1 Onkar

The service of this ceremonial gate was arranged by Mrs. Rampiari, wife of Diwan Nanak Singh Kabli, General Agent, Rawalpindi.

Wisakh 1,  Khalsa: 237,  Nanak Shahi: 466,  Bikrami: 1992 (1935 AD)

سیوا کرائی شریمتی رام پیاری سپُتنی دیوان نانک سنگھ کابلی جنرل ایجنٹ راولپنڈی

مورخہ ویساکھ خالصہ 237، نانک شاہی 466 بکرمی 1992

ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੈ ਸ਼੍ਰੀਮਤੀ ਰਾਮ ਪਿਆਰੀ  ਸੁਪਤਨੀ  ਦੀਵਾਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਕਾਬਲੀ ਜਨਰਲ ਅਗੇੰਟ ਰਾਵਲਪਿੰਡੀ

ਮੋਰਖ਼ਾ ਵਿਸਾਖ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ੨੩੭ ਨਾਨਕ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੪੬੬ ਬਿਕਰਮੀ ੧੯੯੨

Service was offered by Shrimati Rampiari w/o Diwan Nanak Singh Kabli General Agent Rawalpindi

Dated Khalsa: 237   Nanak Shahi:  466   Bikrami: 1992 (1935 AD)

A closer view of the main gate. (16.09.2025.)

It is a small gurdwara consisting of a main prayer hall and an adjacent verandah. The gurdwara building has undergone many changes during the last few decades. I was informed that the school in this building was established in 1971. And since many new rooms have been constructed in the courtyard of the school. A small house adjacent to the gurdwara was once party of the gurdwara. But now a family is living in it.  

Entrance to the main prayer hall. (16.09.2025.)

In the above picture, you can see an arched door. Actually, these were five open arches of a verandah. Two have been closed to make the office of the Headmaster and the remaining two are hidden behind the new construction. 

Behind the arched way, you can see the main prayer hall. 

The newly constructed rooms on the right (after entering the main gate). (16.09.2025.)

Looking in the direction of the main gate. (16.09.2025.)

I found only two plaques in the gurdwara, the first one on the main gate and the second outside the entrance to the main prayer hall. 

੧ ਓ

ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰਾ ਸਿਖ ਸੇਵਕ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਗੜ੍ਹ ਰਾਵਲਪਿੰਡੀ

ਇਸ ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰੇ ਦਾ

ਬੁਨਿਆਦੀ ਪਥਰ 

ਕਤਕ ਪੂਰਨਮਾਸੀ ਸ: ਨਾਨਕ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ੪੬੬

ਮੁਤਾਬਕ

੨੯ ਨਵੰਬਰ ਸ: ੧੯੩੪  ਤੇ ਮਘਰ ਦਿਨੇ ੯ 

ਸ: ੧੯੯੧ ਬੁਧਵਾਰ

ਨੂੰ

ਸ੍ਰੀਮਾਨ ਸ੍ਰਦਾਰ ਕਾਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਆੜਤੀ

ਮਾਲਕ ਫ਼ਰਮ ਕਾਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਮੋਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਗੰਜ ਮੰਡੀ

ਰਾਵਲਪਿੰਡੀ ਨੇ ਰਖਿਆ

           

1 اونکار

گوردوارہ سکھ سیوک کمیٹی اکالگڑھ راولپنڈی
اس گوردوارے دا
بنیادی پتھر
کتک پورنمٰاسی سن نانک شاہی 466
مطابق
29 نومبر سن 1934 تے مَگھر دنے 9

سن ۱۹۹۱ بُدھوار
نوں
سریمان سردار کاهن سنگھ جی آڑھتی
مالک فرم کاهن سنگھ موہن سنگھ، گنج منڈی
راولپنڈی نے رکھیا

Gurdwara Sikh Sewak Committee, Akalgarh, Rawalpindi

The foundation stone of this gurdwara

was laid on the full moon day of Katak, Nanak Shahi 466,

corresponding to

29 November 1934, Maghar 9, Samvat 1991, Wednesday,

by Sardar Kahan Singh Ji, commission agent,

owner of the firm Kahan Singh Mohan Singh, Ganj Mandi, Rawalpindi.

The main prayer hall. (16.09.2025.)

Beautiful tiles of the hall, still intact after 90 years. (16.09.2025.)

A room, it was probably a part of the main hall and partitioned later on.  (16.09.2025.)

As I mentioned above, the locality is still widely known as Akalgarh. I saw a street sign close to the main gate of the school that referred to the area as Akalgarh. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of this signboard. On my request, Mr. Ashgar Ali, the Headmaster, later sent it to me via WhatsApp.

گلی نمبر 14

گلشن آباد / اکال گڑھ

Lane Number 14

Gulshanabad / Akalgarh

 گلی نمبر 14 گلشن آباد / اکال گڑھ         Lane No. 14, Gulshanabad / Akalkarh

This gurdwara’s historic value may not be great, but nevertheless, it is a landmark of an era that ended in 1947. It was good to see that the school administration has carefully preserved the plaques, thereby keeping alive the memory of those who contributed towards its construction.

Tariq Amir

September 24, 2025.

Islamabad

182. Bedi Palace (Bedi Mahal), Kallar Syedan, Rawalpindi!

In the beautiful region of Potohar in northern Punjab, there exists a small town amidst lush green fields and low hills. It is called Kallar Syedan. Before independence, it was likely referred to simply as Kallar. Its claim to fame, and to a place in history, lies in a magnificent haveli which, even after more than a century and a half, still stands tall. I had long wished to visit it, and finally, on a warm and sunny day, April 30, 2023, my friend Mr. Iftikhar Ahmad Bhatti and I reached there. It is located at 33°25'0.49"N, 73°22'50.98"E.

Sikhs entered this region of Punjab in 1765, when the sardar of the Bhangi Misl, Gujjar Singh, defeated the Gakhar chief Muqarrab Khan at Gujrat. Subsequently, Sikh influence rapidly increased and was later consolidated under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. During this period, a large number of Sikhs settled in this region due to its pleasant climate, fertile valleys, and strategic position. There were also many conversions from Hinduism to Sikhism. The family of Baba Khem Singh Bedi, who constructed this haveli, settled here in 1848.

The Bedis are direct descendants of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, and are therefore revered by the Sikh community. Baba Khem Singh was a spiritual leader of his community, being the 14th direct descendant of Baba Guru Nanak.

A view of the Bedi Mahal, at Kallar Syedan. (30.04.2023.)

Another view of the haveli. (30.04.2023.)

The main entrance. (30.04.2023.)

A front view. (30.04.2023.)

بیدی محل

قدیم تاریخی خوبصورت عمارت فنِ تعمیر کا عظیم شاہکار ہے۔ یہ دو کنال آٹھ مرلہ پر مشتمل تین منزلہ عمارت ہے۔ اس کی تعمیر سکھوں کے مشہور مذہبی و روحانی پیشوا کھیم سنگھ بیدی نے 1860 میں کرائی۔ جس کا تعلق گرو نانک کے خاندان سے تھا۔ انگریزوں سے وفا کے صلہ میں اس کو انگریزوں نے اعزازی مجسٹریٹ کا درجہ بھی دے رکھا تھا۔ کھیم سنگھ بیدی کی وفات کے بعد اس کا بیٹا گروبخش سنگھ بیدی محل کا وارث بنا۔ بیدی محل کا ذکر ہندوستان کے مشہور ناول نگار دیوان سنگھ مفتون کی مشہور کتاب "ناقابلَ فراموش" میں بھی ملتا ہے۔ بیدی محل کی تعمیر میں استعمال ہونے والا پتھر کلر سیداں سے تھوہا خالصہ روڈ پر واقع "بھائی نی بن" سے لایا گیا تھا۔ محل کی تعمیر اٹک کے بہترین کاریگروں سے کرائی گئی تھی۔ پلستر میں چونا، سرخی اورپٹ سن کے ریشے استعمال کیے گئے تھے۔ محل کی بیرونی دیواریں تین فٹ سے بھی زیادہ چوڑی ہیں۔ جبکہ کے اندرونی دیواریں ڈیڑھ فٹ چوڑٰی ہیں۔ بیدی محل میں دو تہہ خانے بھی ہیں۔ بیدی محل میں داخلے کے لیے واحد راستہ ایک بڑا دروازہ ہے۔ جو کہ پانچ فٹ چوڑا اور ساڑھے سات فٹ اونچھا ہے۔ محل کے اندر دو گیلریاں ہیں، پہلی گیلری میں بائیں طرف بڑا خوبصورت ہال ہے، جبکہ کہ دائیں طرف نیچے اوپر دو گارڈ روم ہیں۔ اندرونی گیلری میں داخلے کے لیے مزید ایک بڑے دروزے سے گزرنا پڑتا ہے۔ محل کے اندر بڑی گیلری کے چاروں اطراف بڑے اور ساتھ چھوٹے کمرے ہیں۔ کمروں کے آگے خوبصورت برآمدے ہیں۔ محل میں روشنی اور ہوا کے لیے چاروں اطراف واقع کمروں میں خوبصورت روشندان ہیں۔ برآمدوں کی دیواروں پر سکھوں کی مشہور شخصیات کی مختلف رنگوں سے خوبصورت تصاویر بنی ہیں، جو کہ فن مصوری کی عمدہ مثال ہیں۔ چھت دیار اور شیشم کی لکڑی سے تیار شدہ ہیں۔ دوسری اور تیسری منزل پر جانے کے لیے محل کے اندر چاروں اطراف سیڑھیاں ہیں۔ مختلف کمروں میں سکھوں کے مشہور مذہبی مقامات کی دیدہ زیب تصاویر بنی ہوئی ہیں۔ محل کے اوپر تیسری منزل کے چاروں کونوں میں گارڈ روم ہیں۔ محل کے داخلی دروازے کے باہر سامنے ایک قبر کی شکل کی چارپائی بنی ہوئی ہے۔ اس عظیم شاہکار کے پتھر پر گورمکھی زبان میں لکھا ہے، جس کا اردو ترجمہ یہ ہے۔ "رام سنگھ بھاٹیا نے باباجی کی یاد میں ٹہل کرائی"۔ اس چارپائی کے ساتھ ہی لوہے کا تیس فٹ بلند پول ہے۔ جس کے اوپر سکھوں کا مشہور مذہبی نشان "کرپان" بنا ہے۔ قیام پاکستان کے بعد محل میں گورنمنٹ سکول قائم کردیا گیا۔ 1989 میں محل کو خطرناک عمارت قرار دے دیا گیا۔ سکول کی نئی بلڈنگ کے قیام 1997 تک، بیدی محل میں گورنمنٹ ہائی سکول کلر سیداں قائم رہا۔ اب بھی بیدی محل سکول کی ملکیت ہے۔ 

خصوصی تعاون: ہیڈ ماسٹرو سٹاف گورنمنٹ ہائی سکول کلر سیداں (بتاریخ 1.1.2023)

Bedi Mahal

Bedi Mahal is an ancient and beautiful building, a great masterpiece of architecture. It is a three-storey structure built on two kanals and eight marlas of land. It was constructed in 1860 by Khem Singh Bedi, the famous religious and spiritual leader of the Sikhs, who was a direct descendant of Guru Nanak. In recognition of his loyalty to the British, he was also granted the honorary rank of Magistrate. After the death of Khem Singh Bedi, his son Gurbakhsh Singh Bedi inherited the palace. Bedi Mahal is also mentioned in the famous book Naqabil-e-Faramosh by the renowned Indian novelist Dewan Singh Maftoon. The stone used in its construction was brought from "Bhai Nee Ban," located on the Kallar Syedan–Thoha Khalsa road. The palace was built by the best craftsmen of Attock. The plaster contained lime, red brick dust, and hemp fibers. The outer walls of the palace are more than three feet thick, while the inner walls are about one and a half feet thick. The palace also has two basements.

There is only one entrance to the palace, a large gate that is five feet wide and seven and a half feet high. Inside the palace, there are two galleries. In the first gallery, there is a large, beautiful hall on the left, while on the right, there are two guard rooms, one above the other. To enter the inner gallery, one has to pass through another large doorway. Around the central gallery, there are large rooms with adjoining smaller ones, and in front of them are beautiful verandas. For light and ventilation, the rooms on all four sides have finely crafted ventilators.On the walls of the verandas are beautiful multicolored paintings of prominent Sikh personalities, an excellent example of fine art. The ceilings are made of deodar and sheesham wood. Staircases on all four sides lead to the second and third floors. Some of the rooms feature exquisite paintings of famous Sikh religious sites. On the third floor, there are guard rooms at all four corners.

Outside the main entrance, there is a stone platform shaped like a grave. On this stone, an inscription in Gurmukhi reads: “Rama Singh Bhatia had this constructed in memory of Babaji.” Next to this platform stands a thirty-foot-tall iron pole, atop which is the famous Sikh religious symbol, the Kirpan. After the creation of Pakistan, a government school was established in the palace. In 1989, the building was declared dangerous. Until the construction of the new school building in 1997, the Government High School Kallar Syedan functioned in Bedi Mahal. Even today, Bedi Mahal remains under the ownership of the school.

Special contribution: Headmaster and staff, Government High School Kallar Syedan (dated 1.1.2023)

The main entrance. (30.04.2023.)

Iftikhar Ahmad Bhatti. (30.04.2023.)

The writer. (30.04.2023.)

Probably a samadhi. (30.04.2023.)

੧ ਓ

ਭਾਈ ਰਾਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਭਾਟਿਆ ਕਾਗੇਵਾਲੇ ਨੇ  ਪਲੰਗ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਟੈਹਿਲ ਕਰਾਈ ................

........................... ਵਿਸਾਖ ਸੰਮਤ ੧੯...

اک اونکار

بھائی رام سنگھ جی بھاٹیا کاگے والے نے پلنگ صاحب دی ٹہل کرائی ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔

۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ وساکھ سمت 19۔۔۔۔

Bhai Ram Singh ji Bhatia, renedred this service for the bedstead  ............

...............Wisakh Samvat 19....

Pole of the Nishan sahib. (30.04.2023.)

Perhaps some rooms for guests. (30.04.2023.)

On our first visit, we could not enter the building of the haveli. It was a Sunday, and the keys to the building were locked in the Principal’s office. This incomplete visit disappointed me. However, I was determined to come again. The opportunity came after a long time, on September 4, 2025. This time I dragged my son along with me, who, though not an enthusiast of such things, occasionally enjoys such visits.

This time, I had already made some arrangements through my cousin, Abul Hassan, in Gujar Khan, and the school administration had given us an appointment at 1:00 p.m. So we could visit the school right after the off-time. We reached there a little before our appointed time and had no difficulty entering the main building.

Ibrahim Tariq. (04.09.2025.)

The writer, near Kallar Syedan. (04.09.2025.)

The Beid Mahal, (04.09.2025.)

  The main entrance. (04.09.2025.)

 A beautiful wooden door. (04.09.2025.)

Behind the main entrance. A big hall on the left and an entrance to the house on the right. (04.09.2025.)

After entering the main gate of the building, you find yourself in a small courtyard. On the left is a huge hall which was probably used to receive and entertain the guests. A door on the right opens into the inner courtyard of the house. A guard room also exists in this section. The four-sided verandah is beautifully decorated with frescoes and murals. Pictures of Sikh notables and Hindu deities are beautifully painted.

Entrance to the inner courtyard. (04.09.2025.)

The main hall. (04.09.2025.)

The hall from the inside. (04.09.2025.)

A fireplace in the hall. (04.09.2025.)

Looking towards the leftt. (04.09.2025.)

A kind of gallery on the back of the hall. (04.09.2025.)

The main door of the house. (04.09.2025.)

Another view of the main door of the house. (04.09.2025.)

A closer view of the house. (04.09.2025.)

The inner courtyard, beautifully decorated with frescoes. (04.09.2025.)

Rooms opening in the verandah. (04.09.2025.)

A beautiful wooden railing overlooks the inner courtyard. (04.09.2025.)

Verandah. (04.09.2025.)

Another side of the verandah. (04.09.2025.)

A staircase leads to the first floor. (04.09.2025.)

A room on the first floor. (04.09.2025.)

High quality wood has been extensively used in doors, windows, and decorative works. (04.09.2025.)

Windows opening on the courtyard in front of the big hall. (04.09.2025.)

Another big room. (04.09.2025.) 

Looking down into a room on the ground floor. (04.09.2025.)

A beautifully decorated room. (04.09.2025.)

A beautiful painting, depicting Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. (04.09.2025.)

Decorative frescoes on the first floor. (04.09.2025.)

Some rooms are beautifully decorated with rich paintings. (04.09.2025.)

A good example of craftsmanship. (04.09.2025.)

 2nd floor. (04.09.2025.)

 Stairs to the 3rd floor. (04.09.2025.)

 There are small rooms on the corners of the 3rd floor. (04.09.2025.)

Looking down the inner courtyard. (04.09.2025.)

 A room on the 3rd floor. (04.09.2025.)

 A general view of the haveli. (04.09.2025.)

 The haveli is still the highest structure in the town. (04.09.2025.)

 The Government High School, Kallar Syedan. (04.09.2025.)

 A small decorative cupola. (04.09.2025.)

 A small room in one of the corners. (04.09.2025.)

Some rooms and the verandah have been extensively decorated with frescoes and murals. Richly colored paintings adorn several of the rooms. A few examples are given below to give you an idea of the decorations. It is remarkable to note that these paintings are almost 165 years old.

ਗਣੇਸ਼ ਦੇਵ. (Ganesh Dev) 

ਅਛਟ ਭੁਜੀਮਾਤਾ (Eight Arms Mother)

ਭੈਰੁਜੀ (Bheru Ji)

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਭਗਵਾਨ (

ਲਛਮਨ 

ਹਨੂਮਾਨ 

ਸੀਤਾ 

ਭਰਥ ਜੀ

ਸਤਰਘੰਣ 

ਨਾਰਦ 

ਊਦੋ

While wandering around the haveli, I noticed this famous Urdu couplet by Syed Sadiq Hussain Kazmi. It is a very inspirational verse, often used to raise morale and spirit, and quite popular among students in their declamation contests. Yet, in those gloomy surroundings and the depressing mood, it seemed ironic in the context of the haveli and its condition, perhaps even a little humorous. Anyway, let’s hope for something better.

تندی باد مخالف سے نہ گھبرا اے عقاب

 یہ تو چلتی ہے تجھے اونچا اڑانے کے لیے

Thanks to ChatGPT, the translation (two versions) is given as follows:

Do not be afraid of the fierce headwind, O eagle;

It blows only to make you fly higher.

Brave the fierce opposing wind, O eagle in the sky,

It only lifts your wings so you may soar more high

Now something about the builder of this splendid haveli, Baba Sir Khem Singh Bedi, and what could be a better source than Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. His family had their roots in Una, Hoshiarpur district. Later, a branch moved to Jalandhar. They also held many jagirs in the Gugera district later Montgomery. Baba Khem Singh Bedi was born in 1832 and gained prominence during the Rebellion of 1857. The subsequent story I shall share with you as written in the above-mentioned book:

During the rebellion of 1848-49 Sampuran Singh and Khem Singh remained faithful to the Darbar, while Bikram Singh joined the rebels.

At annexation the brothers were found in possession of jagirs in the Jullundur Doab, valued at Rs. 12,725, and of others, valued at Rs. 15,000, in the present Montgomery district, then Pakpattan. The latter included two separate grants, viz., twenty-seven villages in Taluga Basirpur, valued at Rs. 10,000, and fourteen villages in Taluga Hujra, valued at Rs. 5,000. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had given the great-grandfather of the brothers, jagirs in the Hujra ilaqa to the extent of Rs. 30,000, which his son and grandson enjoyed; but Maharaja Nao Nihal Singh resumed all Hujra, and the Darbar after the Sutlej War regranted only a jagir of Rs. 5,000. This was resumed, and the Basirpur jagir only allowed to the brothers in equal portions for their lives, one-half to descend to their heirs male in perpetuity.

In 1857 Khem Singh, when quite a young man, rendered good service to Government in the Montgomery district. He escorted treasure; he assisted in raising men, horse and foot; he took charge of the Jail during the withdrawal of the guards for the disarming of the company of Native Infantry stationed at Gugera; he accompanied the district authorities in almost all their expeditions against the insurgent tribes, and was always forward when there was fighting on hand. For these services he received at the time a khilat of Rs. 3,000, but he was subsequently further rewarded.

Bawa Khem Singh became, as he grew up, by far the most noted and powerful spiritual guide among the Sikhs, and acquired wide authority throughout the whole of the Punjab west of the river Ravi from Multan to Peshawar. He invariably exerted his influence in promoting the ends of government. In the matter of female education he was quite a pioneer, and afforded most valuable support to the movement both by reason of his priestly character, which enabled him to overcome many prejudices, and by his personal exertions in establishing schools. The successful introduction of vaccination in the western Punjab and Peshawar was largely due to his energy. In 1878-79 he assisted in recruiting fifteen hundred Sikhs for the Punjab Frontier Force. And he further set an excellent example in breaking up the waste tracts of the Montgomery district, and in inducing cultivators to settle down in what was then a somewhat inhospitable and desolate part of the province. His estate of fourteen thousand acres in that district, acquired principally by purchase or under ordinary lease converted into a proprietary title, forms a standing illustration to the people of the successful application of private capital and individula energy in the face of unfavourable natural conditions. 

In 1879 Bawa Khem Singh was selected for the honour of Companionship in the Order of the Indian Empire. In 1822, in consideration of the services above mentioned, a sum of Rs 2,500 out of the life jagir held by him in Jullundur district was released in perpetuity, and half of the land revenue of the Basirpur ilaqa, amounting to Rs 1,800, which was to have lapsed on his death, was declared heritable for two generations. The jagirs of Bawa Khem Singh stood as follows:- 

(1) Perpetuity:-                                                                                                    Rs        

One fourth revenue of Basirpur ilaqa, Montgomery district                              1,800
Jagir in Jullundur district                                                                                    2,500

(2) For two lives, one fourth revenue of Basirpur                                             1,800

(3) For life:-

Fluctuating revenue (due to canal irrigation) of half Basirpur ilaqa                  2,000
Jagir in Jullundr                                                                                                  2,675
Muafi in Hoshiarpur                                                                                           150
Muafi in Rawalpindi                                                                                           32

                                                                                       Total                             10,957

In 1887 the Government sanctioned an additional culturable lease of nearly eight thousand acres of land in the Montgomery district in his favour. He was appointed a Magistrate of Montgomery in 1877, and an Honorary Munsif in the year following. He was for a term an additional member of the Legislative Council of the Supreme Government; and was created a Knight Commander of the Indian Empire in 1898. Bawa Khem Singh most loyally offered his services on several occasions when the political necessities of the time led him to believe they might be of value to Government. He died in 1904.

Now, back to our topic, the haveli or palace of Khem Singh Bedi. You have seen its poor condition in the pictures. It is not that authorities are not aware of its existence or condition. Occasionally, high officials do come from Lahore on a day's excursion with their guests and friends, show their concern, discuss seriously what should be done, and above all, under whose jurisdiction it comes, and then leave. This pattern is likely to continue in the future. 

Tariq Amir

September 23, 2025.

Islamabad