Painting
ca. 1850 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This painting depicts a group of Akali Sikhs on the march and was painted in the Panjab around 1860. The word Akali means a devotee of Akal, the Timeless One (God), and refers to wandering bands of religious zealots who dressed in blue and often carried several steel chakras (quoits) around their tall cotton turbans; they were also known as Nihangs, from the Persian nahang (crocodile), which means one who has nothing and is free from anxiety and care.
‘Company paintings’ were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars. Company painting developed late in the Panjab and never became as common as in other parts of India.
‘Company paintings’ were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars. Company painting developed late in the Panjab and never became as common as in other parts of India.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Watercolour on paper |
Brief description | Painting, Akali Sikhs, opaque watercolour on paper, Lahore, ca. 1850 |
Physical description | A group of four Akalis on the march. One rides a pony, all wear the distinctive Akali turban. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Gallery label | GROUP OF AKALI SIKHS
Watercolour on paper
Punjab, India
c. 1860
IS.11-1987
Presented in memory of Michael Jones
‘Akali’ means a devotee of Akal, the ‘Timeless One’ or God. They usually wear indigo-dyed clothes and distinctive high turbans carrying steel quoits (chakras) and other weapons. Akalis are also known as Nihangs, from the Persian nahang. This literally means crocodile, but also refers to someone who has no fear.(27/9/2013) |
Credit line | Presented in memory of Michael Jones, 1987 |
Object history | Given in memory of Michael Jones by his friends. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This painting depicts a group of Akali Sikhs on the march and was painted in the Panjab around 1860. The word Akali means a devotee of Akal, the Timeless One (God), and refers to wandering bands of religious zealots who dressed in blue and often carried several steel chakras (quoits) around their tall cotton turbans; they were also known as Nihangs, from the Persian nahang (crocodile), which means one who has nothing and is free from anxiety and care. ‘Company paintings’ were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars. Company painting developed late in the Panjab and never became as common as in other parts of India. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | IS.11-1987 |
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Record created | December 15, 1999 |
Record URL |
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