Bhai Ram Singh, one of the foremost architects of Punjab who is often referred to merely as an engineer or contractor, has long been overshadowed in historical archives. Yet, his contributions to design aesthetics are immense and deserve far greater recognition.
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The man behind much of Lahore’s institutional landscape and pre-Partition Punjab’s most ambitious buildings, Bhai Ram Singh’s most glorious work, the century-old Khalsa College in Amritsar, continues to be a subject of academic study among architectural researchers.
A recent study by a research team, comprising Dr Ripu Daman Singh and Jamia Millia Islamia Professors — Dr Nisar Khan and Dr Hina Zia, has brought renewed attention to his genius. Titled “Deciphering the Underlying Geometry in the Buildings of Bhai Ram Singh: The Case of Khalsa College, Amritsar,” the study was published in the US-based International Journal of the Constructed Environment and has been awarded the Constructed Environment International Award for Excellence by the Common Ground Research Networks (USA).
The research offers deep insights into Bhai Ram Singh’s unique use of proportions and modules in designing Khalsa College, a building that has been granted heritage status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) due to its architectural marvelling.
Dr Ripu Daman Singh, currently Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Architecture at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Technical University, Bathinda, initiated the study in 2021. “By identifying the use of a basic square module and root proportions, also called the root rectangle proportion, we found that Bhai Ram Singh was the only architect who was using this system at the time,” said Dr Ripu Daman.
“While most architects around the world relied on the golden ratio, such as that used in the Parthenon concept to create architectural aesthetics, Bhai Ram Singh employed modularity in a manner similar to the square grid system of design, a method ahead of its time,” he added.
Dr Daman said that Bhai Ram Singh’s designs stand out largely because his skill and design aesthetics came from his training as a carpenter.
“As a young boy, Bhai Ram Singh trained in carpentry under his father, he developed a deep understanding of geometry and proportions. At just 16, he enrolled at the Mayo School of Art, Lahore, where he later became principal. In the design of Khalsa College, one can see the use of traditional elements and features of Sikh architecture, and their proportioning is a testimony of Bhai Ram Singh’s creative genius. These concepts echo design concepts found in Persian architecture of the period,” Dr Ripu Daman explained.
Furthermore, the study establishes a link between Bhai Ram Singh’s early geometrical Pinjra-work patterns and the architectural geometry of Khalsa College, showcasing the continuity of traditional craftsmanship in his large-scale projects.
At the Mayo School of Art, Bhai Ram Singh was trained under John Lockwood Kipling, father of renowned author Rudyard Kipling. Under Lockwood Kipling’s guidance, he mastered Indian traditional crafts, particularly carved furniture and interior design, before transitioning into building design during the Indo-Saracenic period of late 19th-century colonial India. His deep understanding of geometrical proportions was rooted in this traditional knowledge.
John Lockwood, impressed with his works, commissioned him to design the Indian Durbar Hall at at Osborne House, the summer retreat of the Queen of England in the UK.
“Much of Bhai Ram Singh’s work remains undocumented and poorly preserved,” Dr Ripu Daman noted. “The Saragarhi Gurdwaras in Amritsar and Ferozepur, the Lahore Museum and Khalsa College are among the few surviving structures. Of these, only Khalsa College has retained its original architectural character. Bhai Ram Singh also designed the Arts and Crafts Institute, now a Government ITI at Hall Gate, formerly known as Pandit Baijnath High School. Lal Kothi in Nabha is another example of his mastery, though it is in a deteriorated state,” he added.
Dr Ripu Daman is currently in the process of converting his research into a book. “In essence, this paper provides valuable insights into the design philosophy of Bhai Ram Singh, the crucial role of geometry in achieving architectural harmony, the lasting influence of traditional craftsmanship. His legacy must be preserved the way it deserves,” he said.
Rajendra Mohan Singh Chhina, Chairman of Khalsa College’s Governing Council, said, “The iconic building of Khalsa College, Amritsar, is one of Bhai Ram Singh’s most celebrated works.”
Davinder Singh Chhina, president of the Khalsa College Global Alumni Association, said, “This study presents a geometrical analysis of Khalsa College, an iconic visual landmark of Amritsar and Punjab. Through detailed primary research and architectural documentation, the study sheds light on Bhai Ram Singh’s approach to design using geometric proportions. This study will be significant in understanding his architectural legacy.”
English (US) ·