Khalsa College is one of the most renowned institutions of higher education in India. It was established in the year 1892 by the leaders of the Sikh community to provide education to the youth of Punjab. The college has a rich history and has played an important role in the development of education and culture in the region. In this article, we will discuss the history, achievements, courses offered, infrastructure, and prospects of Khalsa College. Let us know Where Is Khalsa College?
The idea of establishing Khalsa College was first proposed by Bhai Gurdit Singh, a prominent Sikh leader, in 1886. He believed that education was the key to the progress and development of the Sikh community and that the youth needed a good education to achieve their goals. With the support of other Sikh leaders such as Giani Dit Singh, Sant Attar Singh, and Sant Teja Singh, Bhai Gurdit Singh was able to raise funds for the establishment of Khalsa College.
It is a troop of educational institutions based in Amritsar and Punjab in India. The main college is situated in the heart of Amritsar city, near Golden Temple. There are several other branches of the Khalsa college in Punjab.
It has a sprawling campus spread over 300 acres, which includes modern classrooms, laboratories, libraries, sports facilities, and hostels. The college has a well-stocked library with a collection of over 1.5 lakh books, journals, and other reading material. The laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for research and experimentation. Khalsa College has a bright future ahead, with plans to expand its academic programs and research facilities.
However, as of now, there is no branch of Khalsa college constructed in America.
History of Khalsa College
- The foundation stone of Khalsa College was laid by the Maharaja of Kapurthala in 1890, and the college was officially opened in 1892. The college was initially housed in a rented building in Amritsar, but in 1902, a new building was constructed on a 300-acre campus on the outskirts of the city.
- It played an important role in the freedom struggle of India. Many of its students and alumni were actively involved in the fight against British rule. Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent freedom fighter and one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress, was a student of Khalsa College.
Courses offered by Khalsa College
Khalsa College offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various disciplines. Some of the popular courses offered by the college are listed below:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Commerce (MCom)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Master of Education (MEd)
Notable achievements of the students from the college
It has a long list of achievements to its credit. It has produced several eminent scholars, scientists, politicians, and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the country and the world. Some of the notable alumni of Khalsa College include:
- Lala Lajpat Rai – Freedom fighter and founding member of the Indian National Congress
- Dr. Manmohan Singh – Former Prime Minister of India
- Sardar Prakash Singh Badal – Former Chief Minister of Punjab
- Sardar Baldev Singh – Former Defence Minister of India
- Dr. Har Gobind Khorana – Nobel Laureate in Medicine
- Dr. Hargobind Khorana – Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
Facilities offered by the college
In this section of the article, we will get to know about the facilities that are given to the students of Khalsa College. The following are some of them:
- Campus: The college offers a 100 acres campus to its students for them to explore and boost their energy levels. A good college campus is an attraction in recent times.
- Hostel: The college lays off hostel facilities for those who come from other states and parts of India. This step symbolizes the thoughtfulness of the creators so that they can spread education. Providing a hostel facility creates a congenial atmosphere and students from different backgrounds get to interact and be of great use to each other. A sense of co-dependency is created. The college has a separate hostel for boys and girls, which can accommodate over 1,500 students.
- Recreational activities: Taking into consideration, that it is not possible to stay confined in a place and constantly study the creators of the college kept a scope for games and recreational areas such as basketball courts, badminton courts, volleyball courts, gymnasium, cricket ground, football ground, and hockey ground. This is a major attraction of the college as well.
- All modern amenities: Yet another attraction of the college is they provide all modern amenities such as Wifi, mess facilities, television, etc.
- It is interesting to note that 50 percent of the seats in these colleges are reserved for Sikhs. Since its inception, this college aimed at rendering education to Sikhs. Hence this reservation has been made.
The reason behind the popularity of Khalsa College
Khalsa college is very popular among the youth and other people, the reason can be dated back to 1947 when India sought freedom from the 200 years long British rule. Many notable alumni from the college sacrificed their lives to help Indian people fight their common enemy Britishers. Khalsa college gave birth to many national leaders, freedom fighters and poets, etc.
This is why the college is so popular among Sikhs. Another reason behind its popularity is the concession it provides to the people belonging to its community.
Conclusion
In this article, we got to know that Khalsa Colleges are situated mainly in Amritsar, Punjab. From facts and sources, it was found that no branch of Khalsa college is located in the USA as of now.
The college is known for the facilities it provides and for the excellence of students in their respective curriculums. In the next few years, it is expected that Khalsa College may grow globally as an educational hub. Hope, this article provided you with all the information you were looking for.