Famous Sikhs in Singapore: Trailblazers of Faith, Resilience, and Legacy

Hello, readers! Welcome to another captivating deep dive into the rich tapestry of Sikh heritage on GlobalSikhiWiki.com.
Have you ever wondered about the unsung heroes who shaped the Sikh community in Singapore? From exiled freedom fighters enduring solitary confinement to visionary educators and naval commanders rising through the ranks, the stories of famous Sikhs in Singapore are nothing short of inspiring. These notable Singaporean Sikhs, drawn primarily from historical books like Singapore’s Early Sikh Pioneers and Singapore’s “Northern Sikhs” and their Gurdwaras, reveal a community that punched well above its weight—contributing to law, education, sports, and spirituality in this multicultural island nation. As we unravel their tales, you’ll discover how Sikh pioneers in Singapore overcame colonial hardships, wartime chaos, and societal challenges to leave an indelible mark. Stick around; each story builds on the last, painting a vivid picture of courage and community spirit that will keep you hooked till the end!

The Dawn of Sikh Presence: Exiled Warriors and Early Settlers

Bhai Maharaj Singh in Singapore 1850
Realising that the presence of Bhai Maharaj Singh in Punjab would continue to threaten their hold on Punjab, the British exiled him to Singapore as a political prisoner in order to remove his influence among the Sikhs in Punjab. AI image

First recorded Sikh in Singapore

Picture this: It’s 1850, and a ship docks in Singapore carrying not traders or soldiers, but a chained saint-soldier whose spirit refused to break. Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji, the first recorded Sikh in Singapore, wasn’t here by choice—he was exiled by the British after leading a fierce resistance in the Anglo-Sikh Wars. Born Nihal in Punjab’s Ludhiana district, he immersed himself in meditation and service from youth, earning the moniker “Karnivala” ((miracle worker) )for his miraculous escapes and inspirational leadership against colonial forces. Imprisoned in a dark cell at Outram Road, he went nearly blind but remained a beacon of faith until his death in 1856. His legacy? A samadhi at Silat Road Gurdwara that draws devotees today, sparking debates on worship practices but uniting Sikhs across divides. This Sikh history in Singapore starts with such defiance, setting the stage for generations to come.

 Bhai Maharaj Singh was the first Saint-Soldier of Sikh legacy who regularly recited the divine hymns of Gurbani in a prison on the island of Singapore. Although his last phase of life passed with great hardship, his high morale was not affected by the worldly challenges and deprivations he faced. Although the British records/sources regarding Bhai Sahib’s life in Singapore focused on issues such as his health, illness, and bodily weakness, they fail to record the spiritually divine drive of Bhai Maharaj Singh and the spirit of “Chardi Kala” which inspired him to live life as emphasised in Gurbani:

Outram Road Prison Singapore
Originally known as Pearl's Hill Prison, and Outram Prison in its later decades, it was demolished in 1963 to make way for redevelopment. During the Japanese occupation of Singapore, Outram Prison was known as Outram Road Gaol and was controlled by the Japanese and used to hold prisoners of war.

Khurruck Singh, the loyal companion

Right by the side of Bhai Maharaj Singh was Khurruck Singh, the loyal companion who shared exile and hardship. After Bhai Maharaj’s passing, Khurruck cremated him and briefly tasted freedom in 1857—only to be re-arrested amid mutiny fears and shipped to Penang. In 1850, Penang was a British trading post located on Penang Island, off the coast of modern-day Malaysia.

Khurruck Singh has been variously described as Bhai Maharaj Singh’s chela. Chela is a Sanskrit word that literally means servant or slave. It also loosely means disciple, follower, or devotee.  Khurruck Singh ( actually Kharak Singh) was to Maharaj Singh, as the latter was to his master Bhai Bir Singh. Nothing is known about this man beyond the fact that he was a Jat by caste and preferred to remain with his guru even beyond the high seas where he served him faithfully till his last breath.  He has also been described as one of Bhai Maharaj Singh’s closest advisers and personal attendant.  When the Government decided to banish Bhai Maharaj Singh to Singapore, Khurruck Singh offered to go with him, and the colonial authorities in India would have been only too glad to get rid of one more trouble maker in the name of Khurruck Singh. Asia Samachar

 These early figures laid the spiritual foundation for the Sikh community in Singapore, inspiring migrants who followed.

Komagata Maru incident in 1914
Komagata Maru incident in 1914, depicting Sikh passengers aboard the ship off the coast of Vancouver, Canada.
parks.canada.ca - Komagata Maru

Baba Gurdit Singh, a savvy businessman

Fast-forward to the early 1900s, and enter famed Baba Gurdit Singh of  “Komagata Maru”.  

In the early 1900s, Baba Gurdit Singh, a resourceful businessman active in construction across Singapore and Malaya, became a key figure in Sikh history. In 1914, he chartered the Komagata Maru to challenge Canada’s racist “continuous journey” immigration laws. Carrying 376 mostly Sikh passengers, the ship was denied entry and forced to return, sparking riots and tragedy in India. Survivors recalled, “We waited on that ship for two months, believing Canada would see our humanity, but it turned us away.” Gurdit evaded arrest for years before surrendering as a patriot, his actions linking local Sikh pioneers to a global struggle for dignity and justice.

The Komagata Maru, after being denied entry to Canada, returned to India and landed at Budge Budge, a port town near Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, on 29 September 1914.

It was there that the British Indian authorities tried to forcibly send many of the passengers to Punjab under guard, which led to the violent clash — resulting in the deaths of 19 and arrests.

Sardar Choor Singh Sidhu
His rise from a law clerk to the bench of the Supreme Court made him a symbol of a ‘self-made man’. He was elevated to the Supreme Court bench in August 1963. Mr Choor Singh, a son of a port security guard, was four years old when he arrived in Singapore from Punjab with his mother and sister to join his father. He died at the age of 98.
Singapore Khalsa - Founded by Justice Choor Singh Sidhu

Justice Choor Singh Sidhu : Singapore's first Sikh Supreme Court Judge

As the community grew, so did its leaders—men like Sardar Choor Singh Sidhu, whose journey from humble immigrant roots to Singapore’s first Sikh Supreme Court Judge is the stuff of legends. Arriving at age four in 1917, he climbed from a security guard’s son to magistrate in 1949 and judge in 1963, handling iconic cases like the “Body in the box” that reformed the jury system. Post-retirement, he authored books on Sikh saints, founded the Singapore Khalsa Association, and chaired advisory boards, all while epitomizing selfless service. His epitaph? A humble nod to divine grace, reflecting a life of quiet revolution.


“body in the box is justice system where jury decide guilty or not” refers to a jury trial, where a group of citizens acting as a jury listens to evidence and determines a defendant’s guilt or innocence. In this common law system, the jury is a fundamental component, making factual determinations and returning a verdict, while the judge handles matters of law.

It is believed that the jury system was abolished by the Singapore Government in 1969 as a result of a famous ‘Body in the box’ case tried by Justice Choor Singh with Francis Seow prosecuting. The then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew sought Justice Choor Singh’s opinion and a Bill was subsequently passed in Parliament in 1969 abolishing the jury system in Singapore.

Master Wazir Singh Wasan

Education was a cornerstone for many famous Sikhs in Singapore, with figures like Master Wazir Singh Wasan leading the charge. Arriving in 1928, he rose to Inspector of Schools by 1966, co-founding the Singapore Khalsa Association and spearheading Punjabi classes for hundreds of children. His influence touched diplomats like Professor Tommy Koh, who credited Wazir for instilling resilience against prejudice. A cricket and hockey star himself, Wazir blended intellect with athleticism until his passing in 1999

Sarwan Singh Sidhu

Sarwan Singh Sidhu echoed this dedication, teaching and leading schools like Anderson Secondary while earning multiple degrees. As General Secretary of the Khalsa Association, he founded its kindergarten, proving education’s power in preserving Sikh heritage. Similarly, Ram Singh and Avtar Singh climbed to principalships, mentoring generations and excelling in sports—Avtar even umpiring international hockey.

Ajit Singh Gill- Olympics hockey fullback
Ajit Singh Gill was born in Kuala Lumpur in 1928. He was the oldest of 10 siblings. In 1953, his family moved to Singapore. While there, he attended Teacher Training College. During World War 2, he lived through the Japanese occupation of Malaya.

 He was a short corner specialist and played for the Singapore Indian Association from 1952 to 1975. In 1956, he then represented Singapore in the Melbourne Olympics

Ajit Singh Gill: the 1956 Melbourne Olympics hockey

Sports ignited passions among Sikh pioneers in Singapore, none more than Ajit Singh Gill, the 1956 Melbourne Olympics hockey fullback. A golf enthusiast with trophies galore, he taught at Queenstown Secondary, blending athletics with education in a career that culminated in torch-bearing at the 2010 Youth Olympics.

Ajit Singh Gill studied at K.K.M School in Kuala Lumpur and at Teachers Training College in Singapore. He was a Senior Assistant of a secondary school in Singapore.

He played hockey and cricket for the Selangor Indian Association from 1948 to 1951 and for State of Selangor in 1950. He played for the Singapore Indian Association from 1952 to 1975. He also played hockey for the Singapore Khalsa Association.

He played as right half-back for State of Selangor and as a full back for Singapore.

He represented Singapore in matches against Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Belgium, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia. He was a short corner specialist and states that “scoring all those goals was very thrilling.”

Commander (Ret) S. Jaswant Singh Gill- Singapore
Gill's military career began when he fought for Singapore during Konfrontasi, a conflict between Indonesia and the Federation of Malaysia that occurred between 1963 and 1966. In the aftermath of the British departure in 1967, he was appointed Commander of the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force.
Singapore’s First Navy Commander: S Jaswant Singh Gill

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Jaswant Singh Gill

In military realms, Sardar Jaswant Singh Gill’s rise to Singapore Navy Commander was extraordinary. From police clerk during Japanese Occupation to leading post-independence bases, he presided over the Khalsa Association, fundraising for community hubs—all while upholding his faith as a teetotaller in a boozy environment.
He was also deeply committed to serving the Sikh community in Singapore and was a strict but a very responsible husband and father to his 6 children. His ashes were dispersed at sea. Soldier never die, they permanently live in history till eternity.

S Jaswant Singh Gill, Singapore’s first navy chief, was a renowned person and a vital part of the country’s defence during its formative years. He was six years old when he arrived in Singapore with his uncle. His parents were Punjabi farmers. In addition to holding important military roles throughout his career, Gill was also active in the Sikh community, Khalsa Vox reported.

Gill’s military career began when he fought for Singapore in the Konfrontasi battle, which took place between 1963 and 1966 and involved Indonesia and the Federation of Malaysia. He was named Commander of the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force in the wake of the British withdrawal in 1967.
While many recognize Gill as Singapore’s first Navy Commander, few know he was the only Sikh officer in the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (MRNVR) during his early naval career—serving alongside 100 British officers and 900 sailors. He began by handling the most menial tasks like scrubbing decks before earning his promotion to officer ranks—a testament to his perseverance and merit.

Sardar Santa Singh : Sembawang Sikh Temple in 1936

The northern gurdwaras owe much to pioneers like Sardar Santa Singh, who established the Sembawang Sikh Temple in 1936 amid wartime scarcity. Running a trading agency, he supported families and even joined the Indian National Army through his son. Tara Singh Hitaishi, his son, served as secretary, researching Sikh histories—though a fire tragically destroyed his manuscripts.

Sardar Hira Singh and Sardar Kishan Singh

Sardar Hira Singh and Sardar Kishan Singh led during turbulent times, from rubber estate rentals to Occupation-era langars. Their diplomacy—pleading leniency after youths cut trees—kept the community thriving.

Modern spiritual leaders like Giani Sukhwinder Singh Ji (Sangatpura) served Yishun Gurdwara for over nine years, his humility and Kirtan drawing global calls to service.

A Lasting Legacy: Why These Stories Matter Today

From Bhai Maharaj Singh’s unyielding spirit to modern educators like Sarwan Singh, famous Sikhs in Singapore embody resilience, service, and innovation. In a nation of diverse faiths, their contributions to Sikh gurdwaras in Singapore, education, and society remind us of the power of community. As you reflect on these tales, drawn from cherished books preserving our heritage, why not visit a local gurdwara to feel that enduring warmth? For more on notable Singaporean Sikhs and beyond, explore GlobalSikhiWiki.com—your gateway to Sikh history in Singapore and the world.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories!

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