Raja Dhian Singh  thumbnail 1
Raja Dhian Singh  thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Raja Dhian Singh

Painting
ca. 1830-1835 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Raja Dhian Singh (1796–1843) was the Hindu prime minister during the reign of the first Sikh maharaja of the Panjab, Ranjit Singh. He was the second son of Mian Kishora Singh Dogra, and the middle one of three brothers from Jammu who served the maharaja. He became chamberlain of the royal household in 1818, took part in military campaigns and was awarded many honours and grants of land.

After Ranjit Singh’s death, Dhian Singh became caught up in intrigues at court over the acquisition of power and influence. He assassinated Chet Singh, the most trusted courtier of Ranjit Singh’s son and successor, Kharak Singh, who was then slowly poisoned. On the day of Kharak Singh’s death the following year, his son and heir was also killed, leaving Sher Singh, Ranjit Singh’s second son, to rule with Dhian Singh’s support. Sher Singh was likewise assassinated, by another court faction, in September 1843, and soon afterwards Dhian Singh was also murdered.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRaja Dhian Singh (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Brief description
Painting, Raja Dhian Singh on hawking expedition, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Punjab Plains, ca. 1830-1835
Physical description
Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Raja Dhian Singh (1796-1843) on a hawking expedition. He rides a roan stallion and is attended by a group of fourteen footmen, armed with swords, lances and guns. Three riders follow him; the nearest, a youth, carries a falcon, two others wield lances. Dhian Singh and a footman are carrying hawks.
Dimensions
  • Painting only height: 22.8cm
  • Painting only width: 25.0cm
  • With border height: 28.6cm
  • With border width: 32.0cm
Content description
Raja Dhian Singh (1796-1843) on a hawking expedition. He rides a roan stallion and is attended by a group of fourteen footmen, armed with swords, lances and guns. Three riders follow him; the nearest, a youth, carries a falcon, two others wield lances. Dhian Singh and a footman are carrying hawks.
Object history
The painting was purchased by the V&A in 1960 from the estate of Mrs F.B.P. Lory.
Production
Sikh
Subjects depicted
Summary
Raja Dhian Singh (1796–1843) was the Hindu prime minister during the reign of the first Sikh maharaja of the Panjab, Ranjit Singh. He was the second son of Mian Kishora Singh Dogra, and the middle one of three brothers from Jammu who served the maharaja. He became chamberlain of the royal household in 1818, took part in military campaigns and was awarded many honours and grants of land.

After Ranjit Singh’s death, Dhian Singh became caught up in intrigues at court over the acquisition of power and influence. He assassinated Chet Singh, the most trusted courtier of Ranjit Singh’s son and successor, Kharak Singh, who was then slowly poisoned. On the day of Kharak Singh’s death the following year, his son and heir was also killed, leaving Sher Singh, Ranjit Singh’s second son, to rule with Dhian Singh’s support. Sher Singh was likewise assassinated, by another court faction, in September 1843, and soon afterwards Dhian Singh was also murdered.
Bibliographic references
  • Paintings of the Sikhs / W.G. Archer. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1966 pp. 123-5, ill. fig. n9
  • Hats from India / Rosemary Crill. [London]: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985 Number: 0948107308 p. 18
Collection
Accession number
IS.124-1960

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdNovember 25, 2002
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest