Central Sikh Museum

The Central Sikh Museum, in Punjabi the Kendri Sikh Ajaibghar, is the museum of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. Sahapedia dates its founding to 1958 and says the aim was to restore and show relics of the Gurus such as handwritten texts, weapons and clothing, while the SGPC had begun employing Sikh artists in 1956 to paint Sikh history. Wikipedia says it opened on 4 and 5 July 1958 on the first floor of the clock tower (Ghanta Ghar) building to the right of the main entrance. It holds paintings of the Gurus, saints, warriors and leaders, with coins, weapons, armour and manuscripts.

Who decides what is shown: The SGPC. Its presidents unveil new portraits and describe them as honouring people who served the Panth.

Key moments

• 4 and 5 July 1958: the museum opens.
• 3 November 2021: SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur and head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh unveil portraits of Jathedar Avtar Singh Makkar, Baba Hardev Singh Lulonwale and the Babbar Akali Shaheed Jathedar Amar Singh Dhaliwal.
• 14 June 2022: SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami unveils portraits of Bhai Dilawar Singh, who killed Chief Minister Beant Singh on 31 August 1995, and of the former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Bhagwan Singh, saying they were displayed in view of their services. Their families were given siropas. The Tribune notes that portraits of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and of the men who killed Indira Gandhi were already on display.
• 13 May 2025: the SGPC executive approves portraits including that of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. On 23 May it puts the plan on hold after objections from Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, who called Manmohan Singh the Congress's puppet Prime Minister, and from Dal Khalsa, whose acting president Paramjit Singh Mand said Manmohan Singh had done little for Sikhs, had not secured constitutional recognition of a separate Sikh identity, and should not share a place with the Sikh warriors and martyrs.
• 27 September 2026: ThePrint reports that the SGPC has still not taken a final decision, sixteen months later.

Where it stands: The museum is open at the Darbar Sahib complex and its walls keep changing. The SGPC's secretary said in May 2025 that it respects Sikh sentiment and believes a general consensus among Sikhs is essential.