Dera Khalsa
| Dera Khalsa | |
|---|---|
  Dera Khalsa | |
| Coordinates: 33°19′N 73°16′E / 33.31°N 73.26°ECoordinates: 33°19′N 73°16′E / 33.31°N 73.26°E | |
| Country |
 Pakistan |
| Province |
 Islamabad C.T |
| Elevation | 700 m (2,300 ft) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
A village of Punjab, Pakistan situated in Kallar Syedan Tehsil is identified as Dera Khalsa. The name was given by the administration of the Subcontinent of this region during 18th century on demand of the Sikh community. This name is still used to refer this village. Presently the entire population of this village is Muslim, having strong religious beliefs and 95% of existing families are migrated from Jammu in 1947. Presently residing families settled in this village in 1951-52.
History
This is a historical village and during Sikh rule in Punjab in the 18th Century it was a kind of religious center of Sikhism. In 1855 this village was entirely a Sikh village and in the later days of the Sikh rule in the Punjab, this village was the headquarters of Sikh Sardars. There was a Sikh Dharam-shala where all strangers and preachers could come and stay and enlighten the village people who gather every morning and evening to listen to the holy chanting of the Great Gurus’ hymns of Sikh religion. In the early fifties and sixties of the eighteenth century, the dominant personality of this village were sons of the Malik Sardar family. Even after termination of Sikh rule in Punjab, members of this family remain prominent personalities of this village till 1930.
This village was attacked by an epidemic disease Plague in 1906 and turned many lives in to dead, almost all the survivor left this village and scattered at great distances all over the country to save their lives.
The saint Attar Singh a famous Sikh preacher visited Dera Khalsa in early 20th century for propagation of Guru message. Saint Attar Singh who almost remained away from his family during his religious activities, Dera Khalsa is a place where mother of saint Attar Singh met him after a long time.
Professor Puran Singh was a famous Sikh poet and scientist of Sub continent in early 20th Century. He was born at Salhad, Abbottabad on 17 February 1881 when his father Kartar Singh was posted there during his service in revenue department. Puran Singh belonged to an Ahluwalia Khatri family of Dera Khalsa therefore, his ancestral home was in the village of dera khalsa. An other Sikh leader Master Tara Singh and Bhai Guru Singh administered Amrit(religious oath) from Sant Attar Singh at Dera Khalsa. Tara Singh was also a famous leader of Sikhs during 1947. He is remembered for two things one steering Sikhs towards opting for India in 1947 and second to campaign for the state of Punjab in independent India.Tara Sing vigorously campaigned against demand of Pakistan. Tara Sing during his middle education at Rawalpindi, whenever he came home (Harial Rawalpindi) on some holidays he along with several others went to have darshan of Saint Attar Sing at Dera Khalsa. During the violence in 1947 the Sikhs opted for India and left Dera Khalsa on 8 March 1947. This was the last day of Sikhs at Dera Khalsa.
