Fatehgarh Sahib: The Department of Punjabi, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, organised a special lecture on ‘The Concept of Halemi Raj and Sikh History’. S. Gagandeep Singh, Deputy Secretary, Home Department, Haryana, was the distinguished speaker. The programme was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Prit Pal Singh, while Prof. (Dr.) Sukhwinder Singh Billing, Dean Academic Affairs, attended as the Guest of Honour.

Dr. Sikandar Singh, Head of the Department of Punjabi, welcomed the guests and introduced the theme of the lecture. He highlighted how the British dismantled the Sikh army and brought major changes in the education system following the end of Sikh rule.

Speaking on the occasion, S. Gagandeep Singh stated that the British had distorted Sikh history and created various narratives to undermine the Sikh revolution. He described the period from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the eighteenth century as the golden era of Sikh history. Referring to Lohgarh Fort, he described it as the central axis of Sikh Halemi Raj. He highlighted its unique structure, the five-month Mughal siege during which the Khalsa army faced no shortage of essential supplies, and the significant contribution of Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara.

In his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Prit Pal Singh highlighted Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s principle of dialogue and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering discussions on historical facts and events. Prof. (Dr.) Sukhwinder Singh Billing, Dean Academic Affairs stated that the foundation of Halemi Raj cannot be laid without the concept of Gurbani. Dr. Hardev Singh, Head of the Department of Religious Studies, emphasised the need to develop the speaker’s work on Sikh history into academic research.

Dr. Harpreet Kaur delivered the vote of thanks, while Dr. Charanjit Kaur conducted the proceedings. Faculty members and students from various departments attended the programme.