Khalsa College: The village gift that became an icon

The iconic Khalsa College stands on the land of Kot Khalsa, which was once a village but has long since been incorporated into the limits of the Municipal Corporation. The residents of Kot Khalsa had donated approximately 365 acres of land for the establishment of the college in 1892. In return, the college management provided free education to the descendants of the village’s original residents.

Kot Khalsa is more than three centuries old. Originally known as Rampur, it was predominantly inhabited by a trading community and suffered repeated invasions and plundering. Later, Sayyid Mehmood, a Muslim chieftain, occupied the area and established a fort at a strategically significant location, surrounded by a khai (moat) filled with rainwater around it. Therefore, the area came to be known as Kote Sayyidmood, meaning the Fort of Sayyid Mehmood.

Eventually, the name evolved into Kot Khalsa, combining Kot from its earlier name with Khalsa, inspired by the college. This renaming was done by Sardar Bahadur Ajaib Singh Sarkaria, grandson of Kumedan Khushal Singh Sarkaria.

Over time, much of the village transformed into residential colonies and small industrial units.

Kot Khalsa is also historically linked to the legendary Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who recruited able-bodied men for the Khalsa Army by stationing himself in the village after capturing the holy city in 1802. After the annexation, he selected this strategic area for building a cantonment for the defence of the city. He entrusted the command of the cantonment to Sardar Jai Singh Ghorewahia, a native of the village. Jai Singh was married to Roop Kaur, whose brothers were Kumedan Charat Singh and Kumedan Bhup Singh.

For recruitment, the Maharaja would personally sit on the plinth of a well, which still exists in the historic Gurdwara Bohri Sahib in the village, although its original appearance has been altered by tiles and whitewashing.

It is said that Maharaja Ranjit Singh personally selected every recruit for his army, making him one of the only rulers in the world to do so. This direct involvement allowed each soldier to catch a glimpse of their sovereign, fostering a deep sense of loyalty and devotion.