'Alam (standard)
Standard
17th century (made)
17th century (made)
| Place of origin |
This bronze standard ('alam) probably dates to the early 17th century and was made within the Mughal empire or in the Deccan. It was given to the museum by Major-General G.F.A. Harris in 1924, having been dug up "in the Bikaner District, Rajputana, during railway operations". Departmental archives add that it was found near the town of Bikaner. It was probably an ensign of royalty and would have been carried in processions during battles or in state ceremonies.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | 'Alam (standard) |
| Materials and techniques | bronze |
| Brief description | Standard (alam). IM.64-1924 |
| Physical description | Cast bronze alloy with pierced central section and border; applied outer band terminates in dragon heads. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Major-General G.F.A. Harris |
| Object history | This was given to the museum by Major-General G.F.A. Harris in 1924, having been "dug up in the Bikaner District, Rajputana, during railway operations". An undated gallery label adds "recently found, when laying a new railway, near the town of Bikaner". RP 1924/2586 |
| Historical context | Henry Cousens, Bijapur Architecture, ASI, 19;16, p. 115 and fig 26 for a similar Muharram standard is described. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze standard ('alam) probably dates to the early 17th century and was made within the Mughal empire or in the Deccan. It was given to the museum by Major-General G.F.A. Harris in 1924, having been dug up "in the Bikaner District, Rajputana, during railway operations". Departmental archives add that it was found near the town of Bikaner. It was probably an ensign of royalty and would have been carried in processions during battles or in state ceremonies. |
| Bibliographic reference | Zebrowski, Mark. Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India, Alexandria Press, London, 1997, pl. 537, p. 328. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.64-1924 |
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| Record created | July 5, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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