April

Maharaja Ranjit Singh With Princes 1991 28 x 29cm (11 x 11.4in) Poster color, gouache and gold dust on mount board Artist: Amrit K.D. Kaur Singh

This is the artist’s own tribute to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Golden Temple points to his personal faith in Sikhism, despite what is generally recognized as being the universal and secular nature of his reign. Significantly, the figures of Mardana, Kabir, Farid and Guru Nanak Ji in the painted archways symbolize his treatment of all the religious and social groups within his vast Empire as equal.

Ranjit Singh’s role as a great patron of the arts is exemplified through the different elements which make up his sumptuous surroundings - the colorful frescos, marble inlay and lattice works, gold leafing and richly patterned carpets.

As something associated with the famous ‘paisley shawl’ traditionally believed to have been imported to the Scottish weaving town of Paisley by Ranjit Singh, the paisley motif (or stylized mango shape), which reoccurs in the decoration of the costumes, reinforces the far-reaching and enduring impact that his support of the Punjab Kingdom’s arts and craft industry was to have. The three boys represent Ranjit Singh’s sons - princes Dalip Singh, Sher Singh and Kharak Singh.

At the same time they double as the war orphans of Ranjit Singh’s Court - symbolizing the charitable nature for which the Maharaja was known. In this, they also denote the concept of Deg‚ (charity) which is the first word of the Khalsa motto Deg Tegh Fateh - meaning Victory to Charity and Arms. The remaining two words are visually symbolized through the long sword and dagger carried by two of the orphans.

Here, the artist draws upon earlier Sikh iconography, which used these particular weapons to symbolize Tegh‚ (the protective power of the sword) and Fateh‚ (victory) respectively, on early versions of the Sikh emblem or Nishan. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s association with the Khalsa‚ rule of life is further signified by his own sword. These together with his shield are a testament to his outstanding military prowess.

But the double edge sword in particular (representing Divine justice) also points to his popular perception within Sikh tradition, as the humble ruler who despite his title, acknowledged the existence of a higher master. In this, the artist makes reference to the fact that Ranjit Singh had the coinage of the Sikh Kingdom struck not in his own name as monarch, but in the names of the Gurus Nanak Ji and Gobind Singh Ji.

There is also the popular tradition that Ranjit Singh presented himself to the Akal Takht. His toning down of personal regal status is reflected similarly in the simple cloths he is said to have preferred even though his was one the most notoriously wealthy kingdoms of its day.

The famous Koh-i-Noor diamond and Ranjit Singh’s golden throne are poignant symbols of a lost heritage - a period in Sikh history whose legacy was destroyed following the death of Ranjit Singh and the annexation of his Kingdom to the British Empire.