Amar Kaur Bains

Amar Kaur Bains was the matriarch of the internationally-known Bains family of Yuba City.  Her son, Didar Singh Bains, was internationally recognized for his leadership in the Sikh community and as the “Peach King”. Her son Jaswant Singh Bains is the owner of Sacramento Packing Inc., Valley View Foods, a business that specializes in the dried fruit and nut industry as growers, processors, and packers.

When Amar arrived in Yuba City in 1962, she joined many of her relatives who were already active in farming.  The first member of the Bains family to settle in California was Katar “Ram” Singh Bains, her husband’s uncle.  Katar Bains arrived in California in the 1920s by ship.  Gurpal Singh Bains, Amar’s husband, arrived in California from Punjab in 1948.  A decade later, he started bringing his sons to California to join him in farming.  

Amar Kaur worked hard raising eight children and helping the growing family farm business.  She joined everyone in the family in picking peaches during the busy harvest season.  After Yuba City’s Gurdwara opened in 1970, she joined other women and family members in volunteering in the langar hall.  She also enjoyed knitting clothes.

Amar Kaur raised eight children: Parkash Kaur Gill, Dilbag Singh Bains, Gurjit Kaur Gill, Didar Singh Bains, Harbans Kaur, Resham Kaur Nagra, Surinder Kaur Dale, and Jaswant Singh Bains.

Photos courtesy of the Bains family and Yuba City’s Punjabi American Heritage Society.

Sources: US public records and Yuba City’s Punjabi American Heritage Society, Becoming American (Yuba City: Punjabi American Heritage Society, 2012).