Prof.(Dr.) Amar Singh
About Chair
The primary purpose behind establishing academic chairs at universities is to honour and remember
significant individuals or traditions that have made substantial contributions to their region,
country, religion, or society. The chair established by the Punjab government at Guru Nanak Dev
University, Amritsar, in memory of Sant Baba Murale Wale, is driven by this very sentiment.
Sant Baba Murale Wale's lineage traces back to Lakhi Shah Vanjara, who, during the martyrdom of Guru
Tegh Bahadur Ji, bravely safeguarded the Guru's body and performed the final rites at his own home
to protect the sacred remains from desecration. Following in the footsteps of his esteemed lineage,
Sant Baba Prem Singh Ji dedicated his life to spreading and upholding the teachings of Sikhism. He
was nurtured under the guidance of Nirmala saints, deeply immersing himself in the Nirmala
tradition. The Nirmala sect holds a vital place in Sikhism, having played a significant role in
propagating the faith across India.
Sant Ji dedicated his entire life to the guidance and teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Therefore,
the focus of the chair is centred on Sikhism and the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Additionally, it is crucial to incorporate the Nirmala tradition into the academic framework, as it
significantly influenced Sant Ji's life. Although Sant Ji did not leave behind any written works,
the events and principles of his life are no less significant than any great literary creation. A
key goal of this chair is to bring to light and document the aspects of his life that have been lost
to history.
Bhāi Vir Singh mentioned that Sant Prem Singh Murale Wale shared a deep connection with Swami Ram
Tirtha, which adds another layer of importance to this chair. Swami Ram Tirtha and Prof. Puran Singh
were close friends, and it is likely that these scholars had some interaction with Sant Ji. This
presents another valuable avenue for research and exploration.
Sant Ji also established several schools and colleges to impart modern education to Sikhs. While
some of these institutions remained in Pakistan after the Partition of 1947, others were
re-established at Begowal, where they continue to function successfully.
As discussed earlier, the primary objective of this chair is to bring the unique aspects of Sikh
religious thought to an international academic level. The chair is diligently working towards this
goal, ensuring that the contributions of Sant Baba Murale Wale and the Nirmala tradition are brought
to the forefront of academic discourse.