Quoit Turban
mid 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The quoits (rings) and other steel mounts on this turban are associated with Sikhs known as Akalis. The term derives from ‘Akal’, the ‘Timeless One’ – an attributive name of God. Members of the sect are also known as Nihangs, from the Persian word meaning ‘crocodile’, signifying qualities of ferocity and fearlessness. The Akalis are an order of armed fighters among baptised Sikhs.
The frame of the turban is made of wicker and covered with cotton. There is a possibility that this was collected by a European in the Punjab and made for display rather than to be worn. A real turban would usually be tied in two stages, starting with the farla or under-turban, which signifies high rank among the Akalis. The weaponry on the turban includes a central ornament of crescents surrounded by gold-overlaid throwing quoits (chakkar or chakra). The chakkar symbolises the cyclical nature of life and is repeatedly used in Sikh symbolism.
The frame of the turban is made of wicker and covered with cotton. There is a possibility that this was collected by a European in the Punjab and made for display rather than to be worn. A real turban would usually be tied in two stages, starting with the farla or under-turban, which signifies high rank among the Akalis. The weaponry on the turban includes a central ornament of crescents surrounded by gold-overlaid throwing quoits (chakkar or chakra). The chakkar symbolises the cyclical nature of life and is repeatedly used in Sikh symbolism.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 8 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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| Materials and techniques | Cotton, wicker frame, with quoits and other embellishments of steel overlaid with gold |
| Brief description | A conical turban of indigo blue cotton on a wicker frame, with quoits and other embellishments of steel overlaid with gold, worn by Akali Sikhs, Lahore, mid-19th century. |
| Physical description | Akali turban; cotton wrapped over a wicker frame, with quoits and other embellishments of watered steel overlaid with gold. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Transferred from the India Museum in 1879 |
| Object history | Formerly in the collections of the India Museum and transferred to the South Kensington Museum in 1880. |
| Production | Transferred from the India Museum to South Kensington Museum in 1879 |
| Summary | The quoits (rings) and other steel mounts on this turban are associated with Sikhs known as Akalis. The term derives from ‘Akal’, the ‘Timeless One’ – an attributive name of God. Members of the sect are also known as Nihangs, from the Persian word meaning ‘crocodile’, signifying qualities of ferocity and fearlessness. The Akalis are an order of armed fighters among baptised Sikhs. The frame of the turban is made of wicker and covered with cotton. There is a possibility that this was collected by a European in the Punjab and made for display rather than to be worn. A real turban would usually be tied in two stages, starting with the farla or under-turban, which signifies high rank among the Akalis. The weaponry on the turban includes a central ornament of crescents surrounded by gold-overlaid throwing quoits (chakkar or chakra). The chakkar symbolises the cyclical nature of life and is repeatedly used in Sikh symbolism. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other number | 614 - Egerton Catalogue Number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 3462:1 to 8/(IS) |
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| Record created | January 2, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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