Sikh Empire Artefacts from Duleep Singh to Princess Sophia Talk

By Gurinder Singh Mann
Thursday 18th July 2019
Ancient House Museum, Thetford Norfolk

On the sunniest day of the year, a special lecture was undertaken on Sikh Empire relics with particular reference to Jewelry of Maharaja Duleep Singh and Maharani Jindan Kaur. With a reference to Sophia Duleep Singh’s jewelry as well.

Gurinder Singh Mann discussing the jewelry of Maharani Jindan Kaur

The lecture was undertaken by Historian, Gurinder Singh Mann, Head of the Sikh Museum Initiative who described  how the Sikh treasuries of Punjab were built up under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. This led to an examination of the different types of relics that were catalogued after the annexation of Punjab. Mann then proceeded to discuss the different types of jewelry in the possession of Maharaja Duleep Singh which was then passed on to his son and how they found their way into Scotland. This was together with piecing how some of Maharani Jindan Kaur’s belongings came to be possessed by the suffragette, Sophia Duleep Singh. These were later then sold to a private collection.

Mann also explained about the Duleep Singh was also researching in England the wealth of the Sikh Empire and how he felt that he had been cheated out by the British. Mann then proceeded to explain about the Anglo Sikh Virtual Museum which is going live on the 8th August 2019 and what types of objects will feature in it. This was followed by a Q and A.

The lecture was part of the Essex Cultural Diversity Project, the Festival of Norfolk & Punjab which ends on the 3rd of August. The SMI 3d touchscreen monitor has been at the Museum for the duration of the festival.