After the partition of
India in 1947 many displaced Sikhs from West Punjab, now part of
Pakistan, came to Singapore. These Sikhs were primarily from the
business community.
Singapore was a British colony then and a commercial Centre for
South East Asia. Sikh businessmen from Malaysia and Thailand also
came to Singapore to set up trading companies.
Formation of the Sabha
and Katong Gurdwara Sahib:
On 26 June 1953 Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sang Sabha was registered. S
Hardial Singh Bajaj became the President, S D Labh Singh, the
Secretary and S Amir Singh the Treasurer.
Construction of
Sabha's Gurdwara
As the congregation increased the need for bigger premises was felt
strongly. S Inder Singh Bajaj, on his own initiative purchased, for
the use of the Sabha, an old bungalow at 17 Wilkinson Road for
$30,000, which was followed by the purchase of the adjoining
bungalow at 11, Wilkinson Road.
One bungalow was
demolished and on its site a new Gurdwara building was built in
1969, at a cost of $600,000.