In 1897, the British Empire celebrated a grand event—Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. It marked 60 years of her reign, and to showcase the power of the empire, military contingents from across the world were invited to London.
Among them was a group of Sikh soldiers from the British Indian Army—brave warriors known for their strength and discipline. One of these men was Risaldar Major Kesur Singh, a cavalry officer.
On return from London they were supposed to return back through Canada because there were other military contingents in the ship. Pertinently, Canada was also British colony at that time. However on return these Sikh soldiers made a stop in Canada, a land that was still new and unfamiliar to them. But for Kesur Singh, this stop was more than just a brief visit—it was the beginning of a new chapter.
Instead of returning to India, he stayed behind, becoming the first Sikh settler in Canada. This small but significant moment would pave the way for thousands of Sikhs who would later come to Canada in search of opportunity and a better life.