Squamish,BC- A remarkable collection of rare and sacred Sikh artifacts—spanning the era of the 16th-17th century Sikh Guru Sahiban and prominent figures in Sikh history—has drawn global scholarly attention following a special visit by Bhai Buta Singh Ji to Canada. Bhai Buta Singh Ji, the 13th-generation descendant of Bhai Roop Chand Ji from the Malwa region of Punjab, visited Squamish, BC, where he was warmly welcomed by Paramjit Singh, Vice President of Gurdwara Sahib Squamish.
The visit marks an important milestone in the documentation, preservation, and international recognition of Sikh cultural and material heritage.
The village of Bhai Roop Chand Ji holds a distinguished place in Sikh history. Bhai Roop Chand Ji, a revered and devoted Sikh of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, was blessed by the Guru with the name “Roopa,” symbolizing that he reflected the Guru’s own roop—his image and essence.
This deep spiritual bond led to the creation of an extraordinary repository of sacred relics, manuscripts, and historical artifacts that have remained in the custody of Bhai Roop Chand Ji’s family for 13 generations. Today, these priceless items are preserved under the stewardship of Bhai Buta Singh Ji, whose home contains one of Punjab’s most extensive private collections of Sikh antiquities. Many artifacts in the collection are directly linked to various Sikh Gurus and significant personalities from Sikh history.
In a parallel event, it was also a momentous day for the Sikh community in Saskatchewan, where historic Sikh artifacts were showcased at the Legislative Building on Wednesday. The display included rare hukamnamas (decrees) issued by Sikh leaders, along with an array of historical weaponry such as shields, daggers, and swords used across different periods of Sikh history.
The dual exhibitions in British Columbia and Saskatchewan highlight the growing global interest in Sikh heritage and the urgent importance of preserving these invaluable cultural treasures for future generations.