218. Khalsa School Farooka, district Sargodha! (Govt. Model High School)

Lately, I have developed an interest in old schools, particularly those established by persons with philanthropic motives. I have noted that, in this regard, the role of the Sikh community was very prominent. Due to this interest, I visited Farooka on 24 March 2026. This was my ninth visit to a school established by the Sikh community, which underlines the important role they played in the promotion of education in this part of Punjab in the early twentieth century. Many of these institutions still stand as a testament to their vision and generosity. You can see my articles on those schools in the “Schools” category.

Location:

This school is located in Farooka, a town in the district of Sargodha, formerly part of Shahpur District. Farooka is about 50 kilometres southwest of Sargodha by road. The road is good, and the area is known for its fertile lands and rich agriculture. In good weather, the journey can be very pleasant and soothing. The school is located on the main road at 31°53’14.71″N, 72°24’51.70″E, almost in the middle of the town. Being on the main Sillanwali–Sahiwal Road, it is easy to find and reach.

History:

The plaque on the main entrance clearly mentions that the foundation of this school was laid in 1908 by Sardar Sundar Singh Majithia. He was a prominent member of the aristocratic family of Majitha and served as a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly twice; he also served as the Revenue Minister of Punjab. He was also an honorary secretary of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, a body representing and working for the welfare of the Sikh community. He died in 1941.

However, the driving spirit behind the establishment of this school was Sardar Hira Singh, who, though himself not educated, understood the importance of education and, in order to spread the light of knowledge, conceived the idea of establishing a school in Farooka. He discussed the idea with a prominent landowner and community leader, Mian Allah Yar Kalyar, and together they established this school, which has served many generations of students over more than a century. It is worth mentioning here that they built this school not only for Sikhs but for all religious communities.

The foundation of this school was laid in 1908, but I am not sure when the construction work was completed or how long it continued.

This plaque is fixed outside the room on the first floor, attached to the hall. The picture is given above.

Layout and Architecture:

The design of the school follows that basic layout which was adopted by many other schools built during the 1920s or 1930s. That is, one main hall in the centre and two wings of rooms on each side of the hall. This is what I saw at Hira Singh Khalsa School, Munde, Chakwal, and Sardar Mota Singh Khalsa School at Neela, Chakwal.

As you can see in the pictures above, the hall is quite spacious and can accommodate a considerable gathering for functions. It also has a gallery on three sides overlooking the hall. The doors in the hall open into the classrooms and two corridors on the left and right sides.

The outer walls are beautifully constructed and present a pleasant view. The woodwork is of high quality, and each classroom has two windows and two ventilators..

The legacy of this great institution did not end in 1947. It is not only functioning and flourishing in Farooka, but a school of the same name has also been established in Ambala by the descendants of Sardar Hira Singh. The school at Farooka, even after the passage of a long time, is still in good condition. However, I noticed that some rooms need repair. For more details, I suggest watching a BBC report on this school.

The principal/headmaster of the school was very cooperative and personally took me on a tour, but for some reason did not wish to be mentioned. Nevertheless, I am very thankful for his help and cooperation.

Tariq Amir

April 14, 2026.
Islamabad