Co-curated by Wallace Collection Director, Dr Xavier Bray, and Guest Curator and Scholar of Sikh Art, Davinder Toor, ‘Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King’ presents glittering weaponry, intricate miniature paintings and exquisite jewellery from the Sikh Empire for a major new exhibition in London.
Celebrating the extraordinary ruler who was the founder of the Sikh Empire (1799-1849), a golden age in which trade boomed, the arts flourished, and a formidable army was developed. In a period riven with anarchy following decades of Afghan invasions, Ranjit Singh emerged as the Punjab region’s undisputed Maharaja by the turn of the 19th century. Possessed with an indomitable sense of destiny, his meteoric rise to power brought about the hugely influential Sikh Empire – a kingdom which created seismic change in the region, impacting the fortunes of the Mughal and British Empires and shaping the future of the Indian subcontinent.
Toor said: “This exhibition brings to light for the first time many works hitherto unseen. Private collections and museum reserves have been opened to display their treasures. Many works of art have only recently been discovered and others have been hiding in plain sight.
“Aside from telling the story of a historic figure in whom we can all recognise parts of ourselves, this exhibition goes beyond to highlight a shared heritage that holds an enduring power to inspire.”
Overcoming smallpox and sight loss in one eye, he was just 17 years old when he successfully led Sikh troops against the invading Afghan ruler Shah Zaman. Four years later he took Lahore from a larger rival Sikh confederacy and was proclaimed Maharaja of the Punjab in 1801. He went on to take Amritsar, the holiest of cities for Sikhs in 1802 and, by the time of his death in 1839, his territories covered large tracts to the north of the subcontinent, from the Khyber Pass to the borders of Tibet.
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Although he was driven in his youth by an insatiable ambition for conquest, Ranjit Singh also formed political allegiances and became a patron of the arts, all while ruling with an equitable hand. Under his aegis, he brought about an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity to the region, noted for its religious tolerance and diverse, multicultural make-up. In return, he was hailed by his subjects as Sher-e-Punjab – the Lion of Punjab.
Dr Xavier Bray said: “I have been working toward this exhibition ever since I started at the Wallace Collection and learned of our incredible Sikh holdings. These works of art deserve to be better known by the public, and I am thrilled that they will be in the spotlight as we tell the incredible story of Ranjit Singh.
“As well as his military prowess and political genius, the Lion of the Punjab was known for the diversity and tolerance he fostered in his Empire, and celebrating this has never been more important.”
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Ranjit Singh founded his extravagant durbar, or royal court, in the imperial walled city of Lahore. Sumptuous objects were produced to reflect the vibrant and potent power of his Empire, with examples of such objects in the exhibition demonstrating the sheer variety of cultural and artistic influences of this unique kingdom.