.

Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition -Brunei Gallery

Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery

Back beyond pre covid-19 days, the UK Punjab Heritage Society put on an altogether impressive exhibition covering the story of the Sikh Empire from 1799-1849 with an exhibition at the Brunei Gallery, part of the SOAS campus.

The Exhibition ran with more than 100 objects and artworks including personal items of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Known as Sher-E-Punjab. One of the star items on display is his armlet which was on loan from the Royal Collection. Queen Victoria was presented with the Armlet in 1850.

A walk through and review of the Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery

Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition, Brunei Gallery
The Lion of Punjab

SOAS University London is a World Class leading educational establishment for the studies of Asia, The Middle East, Africa.

Brunei Gallery Soas campus
Brunei Gallery Soas campus

The Exhibition space had subtle lighting and a gallery upstairs with natural lighting. The peaceful visitors, studios respectful conscientious was also very pleasant.

Empire of the Sikhs Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs Brunei Gallery

The Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition is divided into these  areas;

  • Art, Patronage Discoveries
  • King Maharaja Ranjit Singh
  • Imperial Lahore
  • The Lion of  Punjab
  • The People of  Punjab
  • Cosmopolitan Court 1820 Ranjit Singh
  • Military Men the Firangis and 4 ex Napoleonic Men
  • Adventurers, Medicine Men, Mercenaries
  • Military Civil diplomatic Life
  • The Darbar
  • The Successors
  • Courtiers
  • The Court
  • End of Empire
  • Anglo Sikh Wars Annexation Punjab
  • The Sikh Empire 1799-1849
  • Key people Ranjit Singh 1780-1839 known as the Lion of Punjab.
  • Victorian Encounters
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition, Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition, Brunei Gallery

Books about Sikh culture, Books about India.

Finding books in a local library about the Empire of the Sikhs or the culture and art has proven challenging, thin on the ground.

Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Bookshop area Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Bookshop area Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Bookshop area Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Bookshop area Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Bookshop area Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Bookshop area Brunei Gallery

Also, some items are available on Amazon.

One of the featured books in the exhibition available as a gallery book to browse through is the colourful book of Art, “In Pursuit of Empire- Treasures From the Toor Collection of Sikh Art”.

Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery 1
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Bookshop area Brunei Gallery
Finding books in a local library about the Empire of the Sikhs has proven challenging, thin on the ground. The Exhibition has a bookshop, and there is a link to it here. https://www.kashihouse.com/

Finding books in a local library about the Empire of the Sikhs has proven challenging, thin on the ground.

Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery 2Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery 3
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery 4Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery 5
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery 6Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition at the Brunei Gallery 7

This interesting book is divided into

-House of Nanak – 1469-1708

-A King in Everyday Saddle – 1708-1799

-Reign of The One Eye King – 1799-1839

-Clash of the Empires – 1839-1849

-Victorian Encounters – 1849 – 1900

19th C Jewelled Turban Ornament called a “Sarpech”

Made from Gold, emeralds, diamonds. Part of the Toor collection

Turban Jewellery Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
Turban Jewellery Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Gold Bracelet gift Sir Henry Fane

Sir Henry Fane Commander in Chief of the British Indian Army and his daughter Isabella Fane were guests of Ranjit Singh Maharaja Lion of Punjab”. The occasion was Ranjit Singh’s grandson’s wedding. Kanvar Nau Nihal Singh. Ranjit Singh gave a gold bracelet as a gift to Isabella. This is on display in the exhibition.

Early to mid-1830s gold cabochon rubies.

Gold Bracelet Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
Gold Bracelet Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Flower pendant earrings Maharani Jind Kaur 1830-40 Lahore.

Made from Gold, Diamonds, Emeralds, Pearl, Red spinel,

Karanphool Jhumka.

Karanphool Jhumka. gold Earrings Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
Karanphool Jhumka. gold Earrings Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Necklace part of the collection of the last Queen of  Punjab

Made from ruby, seed pearls, diamond, emerald 1830-40 Toor Collection.

The Necklace, that belonged to Maharani Jind Kaur.

Necklace Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
Necklace Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Jewels from Lahore are legendary Koh-i-Noor Diamond and the Timur Ruby were given to Queen Victoria, after the annexation of Punjab. They can be found as part of the Crown Jewels Collection.

Gold Earrings Maharani Jind Kaur 1830-40

"Gold

The Last Sikh Queen of the Punjab

Gold, seed pearls Toor Collection

Fan shaped

19th C Jewelled Sword “Talwar”

Images of the ten Sikh Gurus, named in gold Gurmukhi lettering. details also show Ranjit Singh with his sons and court members

Decorated Sword 10 Sikh Gurus Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Decorated Sword 10 Sikh Gurus

Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Decorated Sword 10 Sikh Gurus Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
Decorated Sword 10 Sikh Gurus Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Collection of 1800s Swords “Talwar”

Swords Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
Swords Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

18th-19th century Quoits Steel and Gold used as weapons

They look a bit like a Frisbee with a hole in the middle used as a weapon. Guru Gobind Singh associated with its use. Used by the Shivite Ascetics.

Quoits a form of weapon Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
Quoits a form of weapon Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Armour

Sikh Coins from the 1700’s

that show the progression of the Sikh culture gaining status to mint their own coins.

A mid-19th C Pashmina wool Kashmir Long Shawl

A mid-19th C Pashmina wool Kashmir Long Shawl Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
A mid-19th C Pashmina wool Kashmir Long Shawl Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Art, texts, photographs

Entrance / Exit Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery
Entrance / Exit Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition Brunei Gallery

Gallery about postcards Themed “From Madras to Bangalore”

Pictures postcards as an urban history of Colonial India. They have put real postcards up fronts and backs, with old stamps and postmarks on with peoples handwriting. Interesting. They have been subdivided into categories too. People, religious buildings, Monuments, streets.

They date from the 1900’s to the 1930s.

Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition, postcard gallery Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs Exhibition, postcard gallery Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs postcard gallery Brunei Gallery
Empire of the Sikhs postcard gallery Brunei Gallery

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x