Raja Nau Nihal Singh and Raja Dhian Singh
Painting
ca. 1838 - ca. 1840 (made)
ca. 1838 - ca. 1840 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Nau Nihal Singh (1821–1840) was the grandson of Ranjit Singh, the first Sikh maharaja of the Panjab. He sits on a western-style chair typical of those in use at the Sikh court at this time. His Hindu companion, Dhian Singh (1796–1843), Ranjit Singh’s prime minister, is seated at his feet. Nau Nihal Singh was Ranjit Singh’s favourite grandson and took part in military expeditions on his behalf. After Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839, Nau Nihal’s father, Kharak Singh, became maharaja, but immediately became caught up in factional rivalries at court and was soon the victim of plotting by the Dogra family, which included Dhian Singh. Dhian Singh and his supporters were involved in the poisoning of Kharak Singh and, on the day of his death, also murdered Nau Nihal Singh.
This painting was formerly in the Collection of Lord Auckland, Governor-General of India from 1836 to 1842. It was given to the V&A in 1953 by his great-nephew, O.E. Dickinson.
This painting was formerly in the Collection of Lord Auckland, Governor-General of India from 1836 to 1842. It was given to the V&A in 1953 by his great-nephew, O.E. Dickinson.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Raja Nau Nihal Singh and Raja Dhian Singh (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper |
| Brief description | Painting, Raja Nau Nihal Singh with Raja Dhian Singh, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Sikh, Punjab Plain, ca. 1838-1840 |
| Physical description | Painting, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Raja Nau Nihal Singh (1821-1840) is seated in a chair facing Raja Dhian Singh (1796-1843), who is seated on the ground. |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Raja Nau Nihal Singh (1821-1840) is seated in a chair facing Raja Dhian Singh (1796-1843), who is seated on the ground. |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Now Nahal Singh & Raja Dhen Singh' (English inscription in the same hand as that on IS.111-1953) |
| Credit line | Given by O.E. Dickinson |
| Object history | This painting was formerly in the collection of Lord Auckland, Governor-General of India from 1836-1842, and was brought back by him to England in 1842. It was given to the museum in 1953 by his great-nephew, O.E. Dickinson. |
| Production | Sikh |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Nau Nihal Singh (1821–1840) was the grandson of Ranjit Singh, the first Sikh maharaja of the Panjab. He sits on a western-style chair typical of those in use at the Sikh court at this time. His Hindu companion, Dhian Singh (1796–1843), Ranjit Singh’s prime minister, is seated at his feet. Nau Nihal Singh was Ranjit Singh’s favourite grandson and took part in military expeditions on his behalf. After Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839, Nau Nihal’s father, Kharak Singh, became maharaja, but immediately became caught up in factional rivalries at court and was soon the victim of plotting by the Dogra family, which included Dhian Singh. Dhian Singh and his supporters were involved in the poisoning of Kharak Singh and, on the day of his death, also murdered Nau Nihal Singh. This painting was formerly in the Collection of Lord Auckland, Governor-General of India from 1836 to 1842. It was given to the V&A in 1953 by his great-nephew, O.E. Dickinson. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic reference | Paintings of the Sikhs / W.G. Archer. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1966
cat. 10, fig. 24. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.116-1953 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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