June

The Royal Armories holds the largest collection of Sikh arms and armor on display in the UK. The impressive museum in Leeds houses a large part of the national collection of arms and armor. Three thousand years of history covered by over 8,500 spectacular objects in stunning surroundings make this a world famous museum.

Its five stunning galleries themed on War, Tournament, the Orient, Self-Defense and Hunting hold an array of Sikh objects. Originated in Lahore in the mid nineteenth century, this conical turban of indigo blue cotton on a cane framework was worn by Nihangs, or Akali Sikhs. It is cotton with quoits and other embellishments of steel overlaid with gold.

“They always dress in dark indigo colored rags and on their heads they wear a turban of the same somber color, which they bring to a long point; and on this point they insert two or three of those iron hoops called quoits. These they use with wonderful dexterity and with little consideration.”

Diary entry of Isabella Fane on the occasion of her visit to the Court of Lahore on 15th March, 1837