PRATAP SINGH, GIANI

PRATAP SINGH, GIANI (1904-1984). preacher, journalist and author, was the son of Bhai Makkhan Singh and Mat Mathura Devi of the village of Nara in Rawalpindi district of the Punjab (now in Pakistan). Born on 3 January 1904, he learnt Gurmukhi and scripture reading at home and passed his middle school examination from the village school in 1918. He read with deep interest literature brought out under the influence of the Singh Sabha movement and joined the Khalsa Upadeshak (Missionary) College, Gujranwala, from where he passed, in 1922, the Giani examination of the Panjab University, Lahore.

In 1923, he was engaged by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee as a preacher.Soon afterwards he was arrested for making a seditious speech and sentenced to one and a half year`s imprisonment. Giani Pratap Singh served as assistant jatheddr of Sn Akal Takht, Amritsar, from 1938-48 and jatheddr of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur, from 1948-52. He was then appointed Jatheddr of Sn Akal Takht.

Amritsar, from which position he retired in 1955. In 1956, Giani Pratap Singh floated a monthly journal, the Gidn Amrit, which he himself edited and published until December 1981 when it was made over to Dr Man Singh of the Nirarikari Darbar. He also wrote over two dozen books and tracts on religious and histrorical themes.Some. of his better known works are Gurmat Laikchar (1944), Itihdsak Laikchar (two volumes, 1945), Sansdr da Dhdrmik Itihds (1948), Akdti Lahir da Itihds (1951), Naqu Nirankdn (1967), Kukd Gurudom (1972), Amritsar Sifti da Ghar(W7) wdAkdK Lahir de Mahdn Netd (1976).

The Languages Department of the Punjab Government honoured Giani Pratap Singh in 1981 for his contribution to Punjabi journalism. He was also honoured by Kendari Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Delhi, for his services to Sikh religion. Giani Pratap Singh was assassinated on 10 May 1984 inside his house at Amritsar by some unidentified men.

References :

1. Gian Amrit. Amritsar, 1980-81
2. Sankhep Jivan Giani Pratap Singh Ji. Amritsar, n.d.