Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

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.

More For You

Amazon promises ‘fresh’ take on James Bond while honouring legacy

The next era of 'James Bond'

Getty

Amazon promises ‘fresh’ take on James Bond while honouring legacy

The future of James Bond is taking shape under new ownership, with Amazon MGM pledging a "fresh" yet respectful approach to the iconic spy franchise. As speculation mounts over who will step into the role of James Bond, the studio has reassured fans that it remains committed to upholding Bond’s rich legacy while steering the franchise in a new direction.

A landmark acquisition

The James Bond films, long controlled by the fiercely protective Broccoli family, saw a major shift earlier this year when Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson agreed to relinquish creative control. Amazon MGM’s reported $1 billion (£760 million) acquisition of the rights surprised many within the industry, raising questions about the franchise’s future under new leadership.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rosamund Pike’s Hilarious James Bond Love Scene Blunder

Rosamund Pike and Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day – The actress recently shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes mishap from their romantic scene

Instagram/Reddit

Rosamund Pike reveals mortifying James Bond love scene mishap: "I thought I was waxing Pierce Brosnan’s chest!"

Rosamund Pike has revealed a hilarious mix-up from her time filming Die Another Day alongside Pierce Brosnan. While shooting a romantic scene, the young actress believed she was accidentally waxing Brosnan’s chest, but the truth was far less painful.

During a recent conversation on David Tennant’s podcast, Pike spoke about her first major Hollywood role as Miranda Frost in the 2002 James Bond film. At just 22, she was still new to the industry and unfamiliar with some behind-the-scenes tricks of the trade, including the use of nipple covers and body tape during intimate scenes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kanye West admits to tracking wife Bianca Censori after her escape in explosive new song

Kanye West’s explosive new track Bianca reveals shocking details about his crumbling marriage, tracking allegations, and family feud

Getty Images

Kanye West admits to tracking wife Bianca Censori after her escape in explosive new song

Kanye West has once again thrown himself into controversy, this time through his latest track, Bianca. The song, which dropped on DJ Akademiks’ platform, offers a raw, unfiltered look into his crumbling marriage with Bianca Censori. In the lyrics, West reveals shocking details about her alleged escape, her attempt to have him institutionalised, and his efforts to track her down. The track has sparked outrage and concern, drawing comparisons to real-life psychological thrillers and high-profile celebrity scandals.

West’s lyrics suggest that his wife reached a breaking point and felt she had no choice but to flee. He raps:

Keep ReadingShow less
John Wick

A classic still from John Wick

Instagram/WorldofJohnWick

John Wick gets animated makeover: Lionsgate & Chad Stahelski expand the assassin universe with new series

The John Wick franchise is expanding into animation, offering fans a fresh take on the high-octane world of assassins. Lionsgate has confirmed that an animated series titled John Wick: The Continental is in development, exploring untold stories from the universe of the hit action films.

Chad Stahelski, who directed all four John Wick movies, revealed the project during a recent interview. He emphasised that animation allows for storytelling beyond the limits of live-action, making it possible to explore characters and events in ways not seen before. This new approach aims to deepen the mythology of the franchise while maintaining the action-packed style that fans love.

Keep ReadingShow less