Sardar Partap Singh Shankar

Sardar Partap Singh Shankar, called Jamadar Partap Singh in the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, was president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in the 1930s. The SGPC's own list of presidents gives his term as 18 June 1933 to 13 June 1936 and names him Sardar Partap Singh 'Shankar'. His is the ninth entry in a list of 45 terms. The Encyclopaedia says he came from Shankar village in Jalandhar district, had served as a jamadar, a viceroy's commissioned officer, in the army, and was known for regular habits and strong discipline.

He took the chair after Gopal Singh Qaumi, who, the Encyclopaedia says, resigned after one day in office; the list shows Qaumi in office from 17 to 18 June 1933. Master Tara Singh followed him on 13 June 1936. The Encyclopaedia says he was president or vice-president of the SGPC from 1933 to 1946, a wider span than the list gives for his presidency.

Key moments

• 1923 to 1924: member of the Punjab Legislative Council (Encyclopaedia of Sikhism).
• 18 June 1933: becomes president of the SGPC, a day after Gopal Singh Qaumi took the chair (SGPC's list).
• 13 June 1936: his term ends and Master Tara Singh returns as president (SGPC's list).

The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism remembers him as a firm and popular administrator with a name for integrity, and credits him with making the Gurdwara legislation effective in practice. His son Swaran Singh took a master's degree in physics at the University of the Punjab and became a minister in Jawaharlal Nehru's government after Independence. He is not the Giani Partap Singh who served the Akal Takht.