Khalsa College Charitable Society, Amritsar is practically the history of renaissance among the Sikhs. The onslaught of the western culture that followed in the wake of the British annexation of Punjab, weaned the people away from their own traditions, culture and heritage. The ‘Singh Sabha Movement, launched in 1873, was primarily a response that arose out of the urgencies to counter the erosion of our cultural fabric. Imbued with a sense of nationalism and owing a deep-rooted allegiance to the cultural heritage of our land, the Singh Sabha took upon itself the gigantic task of enkindling a spirit of commitment in the minds of the youth by creating an awareness of our glorious history through their own value system and cultural assumptions and leading a vigorous crusade against social evils and religious malpractices, thus creating healthy and wholesome values.
The efforts of the leaders of the Movement bore fruit when it aroused a new consciousness among the Punjabi Youth about their identity and generated an urge among them for the attainment of modern knowledge to meet with the exigencies of the fast-changing times. Realizing that the dissemination of modern knowledge was possible only through education provided on scientific lines, the Singh Sabha underlined the need for establishing educational institutions for the community in Punjab. It also stressed the need for women education and the study of Punjabi language and literature. The founding of the Khalsa College Amritsar was the outcome of the persistent efforts of the Singh Sabha Movement in this direction
With this laudable venture in mind, the Khalsa College Establishment Committee was formed in 1890. The foundation stone of the College was laid by the then Lt. Governor of Punjab, Sir James Broadwood Loyal on 5th March, 1890. On 3rd April, 1892 Dr. William H. Rattigan took over as President of the Governing Council, and S.Attar Singh became its Vice-President. On 18th December, 1892, Bhai Jawahar Singh was elected as the first Honorary Secretary of the Governing Council. Since its inception for more than a century and a quarter, Khalsa College Charitable Society, Amritsar has endeavoured to keep the flame of enlightenment high. All the Sikh princes, including the Maharajas of Patiala, Nabha, Faridkot and Jind were closely associated with Khalsa College and counted among its chief patrons. The aim of the founding fathers like S. Attar Singh Raees Bahadur, S. Harbhajan Singh Attari, Bhai Jawahar Singh, Sir Sunder Singh Majithia, Bhai Vir Singh to name a few worked tirelessly to raise the status of Khalsa College to that of a first-class educational institution in the country on the pattern of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.
A galaxy of distinguished citizens, eminent educationists and noted celebrities like Sir Sundar Singh Majithia, S. Tarlochan Singh, Padam Vibhushan Bhai Veer Singh, S. Harbans Singh Attari, Col. Sir Buta Singh, S. Ujjal Singh, Major Harinder Singh, Dr. Sohan Singh, S. Gurmukh Singh Chawla, S. Sant Singh worked with rare distinction, humility, dedication and missionary spirit to raise Khalsa College to the present status of a premier educational institution.
The founders of the Khalsa College Charitable Society, Amritsar driven by a firm conviction that society can be transformed through education, envisioned the establishment of a university - Khalsa University as a beacon of that transformation. When S. Satyajit Singh ji Majithia and S. Rajinder Mohan Singh ji Chhina took over as the President and Honorary Secretary of Khalsa College Charitable Society, Amritsar, they marshalled their full strength, resources and unwavering commitment to turning that dream into a tangible reality. A historic milestone was achieved when the Khalsa University Act, 2016 was passed unanimously on November 17, 2016 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. However, on 17-07- 2017 the State Legislature Repealed the Khalsa University Act by passing Khalsa University (Repeal) Act, 2017. The repeal was subsequently challenged legally and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India vide its judgement dated 03.10.2024 struck down the Repeal Act 2017, declaring it unconstitutional. In compliance to the judgement the Punjab Government notified the revival of Khalsa University Act 2016 on 25/6/2025. Subsequently the UGC listed vide letter No. F.No.8-3/2017 (CPP-I/PU)/152985 dated 23.07-2025 the name of Khalsa University, G. T. Road, Amritsar in the list of State (Private) Universities established as per section 2 (F) of the UGC Act 1956.
Khalsa University has now begun its functioning with a visionary outlook, with a focus on promoting the philosophy of equality and social justice. Khalsa University, Amritsar committed to reducing socio-cultural differences through diffusion of knowledge and providing the professional education to the youth, will surely usher a new era of quality higher education of International standards which will not only change the knowledge landscape of the region but will also have a strong impact on its socio-cultural milieu by inspiring the generations.