AMRITSAR:Guru Nanak Dev University, mourns the demise of Professor J. S. Grewal, the former Vice Chancellor, the first Dean Academic Affair and the founder Head department of History of the University.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu in his condolence message expressed his deep and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He said that the contribution of Prof. Grewal was commendable in the development of the University. Prof. S.S. Behl, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. K.S. Kahlon, Registrar, Prof. Hardip Singh, OSD VC and staff members of the University also condole the demise of Prof. Grewal.
He was an institution builder and has left a great legacy in the functioning of this university. He was a historian of international repute. He gave the history of the Punjab and of the Sikhs a new meaning and identity. It was his contribution to establish the importance of regional history in the larger perspective of national and international historiography. He during his stay in the University, not only published his own research works , but also gave direction to the students to work on different aspects of the history of Punjab viz. political, social, cultural, religious, economic, developments in languages and literature, urban history and the history of social classes. His books: Guru Nanak in History, The Sikhs of the Punjab, Master Tara Singh, Guru Gobind Singh, the Vaishnav establishments, on Batala, The state and society in Medieval India, Religious movements and Institutions of medieval India, stand out among the most seminal publications in his name.
After serving the University, he joined the Indian Institute of Advance Studies as a Fellow and then served it as Director and Chairman. There also he firmly established the programmes of academic excellence. In recognition of his services he was awarded Padam Shri by the Government of India in 2005. His demise has left a big void in the academic world.