New Sikh Empire exhibition opens in London

by LAUREN CODLING

A NEW exhibition exploring the “human story” behind the Sikh Empire opened in London last Thursday (12).

Empire of the Sikhs showcases historical items from the “cosmopolitan Sikh empire” which saw Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruling modern-day Pakistan and northwest India between the 18th and 19th centuries.

He became known as the ‘Lion of Punjab’ during his 40-year reign.

Organised by the UK Punjab Heritage Association (UKPHA), in association with the Brunei Gallery, the collection features more than 100 objects. There are paintings, armour and weaponry, as well as personal items, including traditional jewellery which belonged to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the most famous of his 30 wives, Maharani Jind Kaur.

“Sikhs have a romantic notion of what [the Sikh Empire was], and the framework of the story is known, but there are some remarkable aspects to the empire that they don’t know,” Amandeep Madra OBE told Eastern Eye.

Madra, who is the chair of UKPHA, revealed the exhibition was relevant to the UK as many of the items were taken back to London during the time of the Raj in 1849.

“In a sense, we have got the remnants of the treasury back to show to audiences,” Madra said.

Highlights of the exhibition include a replica of the Kohinoor diamond, which was presented to Queen Victoria in 1850 in the armlet that Maharaja Ranjit Singh had specially made for it, and jewels belonging to Maharani Jind Kaur, including a pair of gold pendant earrings.

Dr Hardeep Tamana, a registrar and volunteer for UKPHA, said: “The jewellery paints a lovely picture of what would have been the artisan workmanship at the time. They were handcrafted effectively and it was done with local tools, so it is quite incredible.”

Another highlight is a painting depicting the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the fort of Lahore by artist Bishan Singh. Dr Tamana believes it will help audiences to gauge the range of people who helped to govern the Punjab.

It is thought that an estimated 100 men from 19 different countries relocated to the region to seek employment in his kingdom.

“You’ve got [all this diversity] captured in a very small scene, but it is a powerful image of how a human story had been weaved in an environment that had been so fragmented and split up to that point,” Dr Tamana said.

Although labelled as a display that would attract a Sikh audience, organisers hope people from all backgrounds will be drawn to the exhibition.

“At that time, the Empire and that region was a mix of all communities and our view is this is a story that stands out. It is about an empire that was powerful and attracted people from around the world,” Dr Tamana said. “The human story is for everybody.”

Empire of the Sikhs is showing at the Brunei Gallery in Russell Square, London, until September 23. Admission to the exhibition is free.