Sardar Bhai Ram Singh - Sikhs The Supreme

Bhai Ram Singh, MVO (Member of the Victoria Order) an eminent architect of world fame was the architect of Khalsa College, Amritsar as well as the AITCHISON College, Lahore which was established in Nov. 1886. The architectural design of both colleges was conceived by Bhai Ram Singh. He was also the FIRST Indian Principal of Mayo School of Art, Lahore, now known as National College of Art. Prof. Sajida H.Vandal, Principal of Lahore National College of Art, when visited India in 2004 told that Bhai Ram Singh who had a place in the history of Pakistan “is one of the forgotten heroes who deserves to be talked about”. She specially visited Amritsar to see Khalsa College, 2nd architectural wonder of Bhai Ram Singh and to meet his descendants. At that time she was working on a book on Bhai Ram Singh.

His other works are Durbar Hall, Osborne House; Lahore Museum Governor House in Shimla. He was one of the most sought after Indians in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Once when he participated, on the initiative of John Kipling founder Principal Mayo School of Arts, in an international exhibition, he was adjudged the best model of traditional style of Indian architecture and his work attracted the attention of top architects of Europe. Even Queen Victoria granted him special audifice and she was so impressed by his art and craftsmanship in woodcarving that she invited him to design a Durbar Hall in the The Mighty Sikhs / 252 Royal Palace which he meritoriously accomplished. He was awarded the ORDER of the BRITISH EMPIRE (OBE). He also designed buildings in the then princely states of Jind, Nabha, Patiala, Mysore, Bahawalpore, J&K etc. When Bhai Ram Singh was in London, Queen Victoria summoned her court artists to paint his (Ram Singh) portrait which still hangs at the entrance to the Durbar Room at Osborne house. But it is very sad that the gem of architecture did not get his due from his own people.

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