This movement was initiated by those who were appalled by the downward trend of Sikhism among the masses. The Singh Sabha movement rejuvenated the aspirations and spirit of the Sikhs and played its part for more than a hundred years over the past. It has influenced the entire community and revived the original spirit and outlook among the Sikhs. This is a very significant contribution of the Singh Sabha movement toward the intensity of Sikhism.

The transfer of political power from the Punjabi's to the British in 1849, brought about changes in the Punjabi society and culture. While the British used alluring means to win over the sympathy of the Sikhs for the British rule, they were also busy in extending the Christian missionary activities in Punjab. The British had established an American Presbyterian Mission at Ludhiana even before the annexation of Lahore which was ruled by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The appendage of Lahore brought in the missionary activity not only to this capital city, but also to other important cities of Punjab.

The Sikh ruler of Kapurthala invited the American Presbyterian Mission to establish its activities in this capital city and also provided momentary support for its perpetuation. This missionary activity brought about the conversion of the ruler's nephew, Kanvar Harnam Singh. It was a boost to the trend of conversions and a great step back in Sikhism. The downward trend continued incessantly until two incidents really shook the Sikhs. In 1873, four Sikh students of the Mission High School Amritsar expressed their intention to embrace the Christian faith. These students were Aya Singh, Atar Singh, Sadhu Singh and Santokh Singh. With great difficulty these students were persuaded by their parents and other Sikh leaders to renounce their intention.

The other incident that moved the Sikhs was the planting of Pandit Sharda Ram of Phillaur in Amritsar to undermine Sikhism in the pretext of preaching. He started his series of religious discourses in Guru ka Bagh and very often made insinuations of disrespect at the Gurus and their teachings. He was challenged by the Sikh Youth in the audience for a debate, but he quietly disappeared from Amritsar. Although he disappeared, this incident could not be taken lightly by the Sikh leaders and they decided to convene a meet of the Sikh institutions and individuals.

Sardar Thakur Singh Sandhanvalia, Baba Khem Singh Bedi, Kanvar Bikram Singh of Kapurthala and Giani Gian Singh of Amritsar convened this meeting on July 30, 1873 at Guru ka Bagh Amritsar. Sri Guru Singh Sabha was the outcome of this meeting. It had its first meeting on October 1, 1873, in front of the Akal Takhat. It was attended by the representatives of the Gurdwaras, the Udasi and Nirmala sects and members of other leading societies of the Sikhs. At this first meeting of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sardar Thakur Singh Sandhanvalia was appointed its chairman, Giani Gian Singh was made its secretary, Sardar Amar Singh the assistant secretary and Bhai Dharam Singh of Bunga Majithian the treasurer.

The main objectives of the Singh Sabha were:
1) to propagate the true Sikh tenets and cleanse it of adulterations and muddle
2) to create and publish religious literature for distribution
3) to start newspapers and magazines in Punjabi in order to promote Punjabi and religious knowledge
4) to persuade the apostates back into the fold of Sikhism
5) to get the high-ranking Englishmen interested in the educational programs of the movement

It was the policy of the Singh Sabha to avoid the criticism of other religions and political matters.

Punjabi was introduced in the Oriental College in 1877, and Bhai Harsa Singh, a granthi of Darbar Sahib Taran Taran was the first teacher. Bhai Gurmukh Singh was appointed to teach Punjabi and mathematics in the Punjabi University Lahore, later. He also established Sri Guru Singh Sabha Lahore in 1879 of which he was the secretary. Diwan Butu Singh was appointed the president. It held weekly meetings and promoted Sikhism in all aspects. The Singh Sabha movement spread not only in Punjab, but also in other parts of India and abroad.

Bhai Gurmukh Singh professor was also the secretary of Khalsa Diwan Amritsar of which the president was Baba Khem Singh Bedi who was a descendant of Guru Nanak. Because of this claim he sat on a special cushioned seat in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. Bhai Gurmukh Singh resented this and also opposed the proposal of the Rawalpindi Sabha to permit non-initiated Sikhs to be members of the Singh Sabha. Bhai Khem Singh Bedi even wanted the name of the Singh Sabha to be changed to Sikh Singh Sabha and as Bhai Gurmukh Singh opposed all these initiatives, Baba Khem Singh Bedi had him excommunicated from the Sikh Panth by the Akal Takhat. Bhai Gurmukh Singh had the backing of about thirty Singh Sabhas and the Amritsar faction had about six or seven Singh Sabhas to support them. Giani Ditt Singh gave his full support to Bhai Gurmukh Singh through the Khalsa Akhbar.

On March 5, 1892, the Lieut-Governor of Punjab laid the foundation of Khalsa College Amritsar. This project had the backing of both the factions of the Sikhs.

The Singh Sabha movement did alot of good work to revitalize the true religious spirit in the Sikhs. Sikhism was reclaimed from a state of utter lassitude and indolence into a moral force of dynamic vitality. A lot of literature was created and distributed by this movement to educate the masses. To some extent the Sikhs became aware of their own independent existence and nation. A lot more has to be done even nowadays.