Magnificence of Maharajah Ranjit Singh at the Magnificent Wallace House – Part 2

Wallace House museum collection

The opulent magnificent Wallace House in Central London is an appropriate destination to exhibit the dazzling magnificence of the life and times of the renowned fearless warrior Maharajah Ranjit Singh offering multiple narratives in the moments spent there.

The Lift at the Wallace House exhibition centre with a life size portrait of Maharajah Ranjeet Singh ji

The exhibition presents an exhaustive set of glittering expensive metal and stone studded battle weapons and armours, exquisite miniature paintings depicting diverse metaphors of the royal court and luminaries of the era, focusing on Maharajah Ranjit Singh himself.

Posthumous portrait of’Lion of Punjab’ by Imam Baksh, watercolour with gold highlights.The corner scriptures are poems praising Maharajah Ranjit Singh ji

 At the exhibition Ranjit Singh – Sikh. Warrior. King ; one traverses eras to step into the 18^th century Sikh empire spread over the vast regions of Punjab that are now parts of India & Pakistan. It explains the journey of Sikhs (the learners) from non-violent disciples of transcendent divine Guru Nanak to being obligated to militarize owing to tyrannies of Mughalscenturies later!

Oil on Canvas painting,Paris 1837, of Randjit Sing Baadour-King of Lahore to King Louis Philippe as a mark of friendship! Notice the tricolour flag in the background on the left

The Firangis & the Receipt

The Firangis- American Scottish Colonel Gardner- Coloured pastel,1865-70, Kashmir

One cannot help but muse at the oil on canvas & coloured pastel on paper, paintings of European & American military commanders in Maharajah Ranjit Singh’s army in traditional Indian royal attire! The Maharajah employed the trained intimidating commanders from the defeated army of Napoleon Bonaparte, deserters from East India Company and more to create a formidable army of best warriors from all over the world!

Maharajah Duleep Singh with the Governor General Lord Dalhousie who supervised the Annexation of Punjab

Past the white marble bust from Rome 1859-60 and the watercolour Gouache gold on paper painting of Maharajah’s successor Prince Duleep Singh one can find the ‘True copy’ Receipt of formal transfer of the Kohinoor !

More Watercolours- Photographic Moments

Water colour painting with gold silver painting by artist Bishan Singh, 1870 depicting diverse religious pilgrims

Unique watercolour with gold silver painting by Bishan Singh from 1870 attracts attention depicting diverse religious pilgrims around the sacred pond with the beautiful Golden temple as the backdrop, painted years after the Maharajah’s death.

Watercolour 1850-saintly revolutionary Bhai Maharaj Singh and his brave attendant Baba Kharak Singh

On the way out a watercolour painting from 1850 is an aide-mémoire & accolade to the saintly revolutionary Bhai Maharaj Singh and his brave attendant Baba Kharak Singh facing overwhelming complications after the death of Maharajah Ranjit Singh.

More Connexions at the Exhibition – Kartarpur & Una

Sipiritual leader & warrior Baba Sahib Singh Bedi ji -a direct descendant of Guru Nanak , whose patronage was fruitful to Maharajah Ranjeet Singh ji

An 1839 Kangra painting-Gouache intensified with gold on paper depicts energetic warrior Baba Sahib Singh Bedi (direct descendant of Guru Nanak Dev) whose abundant patronage was fruitful to Maharajah Ranjit Singh. His descendants Amarjot Singh Bedi- Una & Manak Singh-Palampur, both in Himachal Pradesh are feeling privileged that a painting of their ancestor is being displayed at a prestigious exhibition in Britain and say that Maharajah Ranjit Singhji and Baba Sahib Singh Bedi ji were phenomenal men and lived prodigious lives that have left an eternal impact on the present generation.

The steel & gold Sword of Baba Sadhu Singh Sodhi ji -Armourer and spiritual leader descended from Guru Arjun Dev ji, an advisor to Maharajah Ranjit Singh ji

Another exhibit -the steel and gold sword of Baba Sadhu Singh Sodhi ji is a recall of the Kartarpur Punjab connection – the influential spiritual leader, and a close aide of Maharajah Ranjit Singh. Kavarni Meeta Sodhi is honoured that her family is part of a British exhibition and reads out the Sodhis Pedigree table that commences with Guru Arjun Devji in 1563-1606 to Baba Sadhu Singh Sodhi- their revered ancestor in the 1800’s, proving it with paintings of Maharajah Ranjit Singh & Baba Sadhu Singh Sodhi meetings in Kartarpur Kothi!

Menus

The special Menu at the Wallace house Cafe holding the Maharajah Ranjit Singh exhibition

Outside the Exhibition, the Wallace House Café has created a special Ranjit Singh Menu ‘to celebrate the major exhibition of a great Sikh leader Maharajah Ranjit Singh 1780-1839’ which has tempting Indian savouries like samosas to mango kulfi & masala chai!

The Wallace house museum Cafe

Delectable savouries & Bake collections at the cafe

Au Revoir

The Maharajah Ranjit Singh exhibition elicits a feeling of national pride yet remorse. Alongwith, it seems to give a message that the world today is a big family held together by timeless gossamers of cross cultures and a life-force of collaboration- an ode to great warriors and rulers who left a mark for many not just in India but Britain too!!