New London Sikh Exhibition: Empire of the Sikhs (From 12 July To 23 Sept 2018)

[genie]

Empire of the Sikhs

Date: 12 July 2018Time: 10:30 AM

Finishes: 23 September 2018Time: 5:00 PM

Venue: Brunei Gallery Room: Exhibition Rooms

Type of Event: Exhibition

A MAJOR EXHIBITION IN LONDON THIS SUMMER

Over 100 dazzling artworks and objects tell the story of a cosmopolitan empire that almost ended British rule in India
 
This summer heralds a major exhibition telling the story of the last great native kingdom which challenged the British for supremacy of the Indian subcontinent. ‘Empire of the Sikhs’ will be on view at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS from 12 July to 23 September 2018.

The Sikh Empire (1799–1849), which spanned much of modern day Pakistan and northwest India, was forged by the ‘Napoleon of the East’ Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839)who became known as Sher-e-Punjab, the Lion of Punjab, over his forty-year reign.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh established a powerful military meritocracy that included many European officers.

His empire offered a crucial buffer state between the British and incursions via the Khyber Pass. The one-eyed king was a trusted ally of the British but also a potentially formidable opponent.

The inevitable clash with the British came in the form of two bitterly fought Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845–46, 1848–49) in which British pre-eminence hung in the balance as they came within hours of a total surrender. But through treachery, victory was turned into defeat for the Sikhs whose territories, treasury and fighting men became incorporated into British dominion.

A source of great interest to British visitors to the Sikh royal court prior to annexation was the Koh-i-Noordiamond, which was wrested from Afghan hands in 1813. The fabled jewel was eventually presented to Queen Victoria on 3 July 1850 in the armlet that Ranjit Singh had specially made for it. Fitted with a rock crystal replica of the original, uncut Koh-i-Noor, it is now preserved as part of the Royal Collection and will be one of the highlights on display along with a stunning array of over 100 objects and works of art from leading private and public collections.

Among them will be glittering jewellery and weaponry from the Sikh Empire including personal items that belonged to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the most famous of his thirty ‘official’ wives, Maharani Jind Kaur. They were the parents of the deposed boy-king Maharaja Duleep Singh and grandparents to prominent suffragette (and goddaughter to Queen Victoria), Princess Sophia Duleep Singh.

[puzzled]

I really want to go to this  saw the poster at the gurdwara 

[jkvlondon]

a quick preview by sikh channel

 

[jkvlondon]

On 7/14/2018 at 11:50 PM, puzzled said:

I really want to go to this  saw the poster at the gurdwara 

come down I'm planning to take my lot , will post our reactions

[puzzled]

3 hours ago, jkvlondon said:

a quick preview by sikh channel

 

looks amazing! and he said hari singh nalwas shield is there too  wow!

[jkvlondon]

https://www.facebook.com/BruneiGallery.SOAS/photos/a.244952585533068.72569.210003235694670/2209480369080270/?type=3&theater

[DailyMail]

It's a fantastic exhibition and will take several hours or maybe several visits to fully appreciate! Highly recommended. 

[puzzled]

This was amazing!  Went during the last week of the exhibition on the Wednesday.  Couldn't stop looking at the weapons.   Was kinda sad looking at rani jind kaurs jewels knowing what the goreh put her through.    Took lots of pics 

[genie]

22 hours ago, puzzled said:

This was amazing!  Went during the last week of the exhibition on the Wednesday.  Couldn't stop looking at the weapons.   Was kinda sad looking at rani jind kaurs jewels knowing what the goreh put her through.    Took lots of pics 

Please feel free to share any pictures you have taken would be nice to see.

I visited another exhibition few years ago where they had swords from the anglo-sikh wars displayed. I was quite suprised to see how big and sharp the swords were. Can't imagine the pain and suffering soldiers of both sides must have experienced in having those weapons used against them in those brutal hand to hand battles.

[puzzled]

Yeah it's only when you see these swords and other weapons in person you realize the size and strength. And only in person you can see how majestic they look. The detail on the hilt was beautiful. My fav were the bagh nakka/tiger claw and the kirpan with images of the 10 gurus carved on it. I was down on the floor on My knees looking at these things lol!