Balbir Singh (scholar)

Balbir Singh (scholar) Biography

Balbir Singh was an Indian writer and scholar who lived during the period, 1896-1974. He was the younger brother of Bhai Vir Singh, a poet, scholar, and theologian of the Sikh revival movement best known for reviving Punjabi tradition. He held a PhD in chemistry. Nirukata Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Lambi Nadar are among his notable books as an author. He owned a large collection of more than 1000 rare books at his residence in Dehradun known as Panchbati. Now this residence has been converted to a memorial library and art gallery in his name.

Balbir Singh was born on 13 December 1896 in Amritsar, Punjab. His father’s name was Dr Charan Singh. He lost his father at the age of 12. His childhood days were spent in his hometown Amritsar, where he completed his schooling. He completed his post-graduation degree from Lahore, in undivided India. Later he went to England and obtained his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from University of London, and then returned back to his hometown in 1923.

Though he was promised for a government job, he didn’t accept. Instead, he became Principal of Cambridge Preparatory School at Dehradun in 1925, where he worked for a decade. Later he joined as Director of P& S Bank in 1937, and worked with it till 1960. He retired as Managing director. As his elder brother Bhai Vir Singh was a great writer and scholar, Balbir too drew interests in the same field. In fact he also assisted his brother with his writings. Later he started writing his own works. He published Charan Hari Visthar, a life history of his family and father in two volumes, and wrote several books on Sikh religious philosophy in English and Punjabi.

Published: November 29, 2018

Updated: November 29, 2018