Jump to content

Wellcome Collection


Freed

Recommended Posts

GurFateh !

Here is a wonderful and interesting collection of images from the Wellcome Collection.

The scope of the Wellcome Collection is vast and wide ranging covering almost everything.

The images I am posting cover Sikh, Punjabi and Indic themes - they are watercolours, gouache paintings and hand tinted Lithographs and woodcuts from the Late 19th Century.

The hand painted woodcuts and lithographs are particularly interesting as they were mass produced and sold as souvenirs in places like Amritsar for your average person to buy - perhaps the first time inexpensive art was available to the masses - a forerunner of the inexpensive calenders and prints that pilgrims and tourists buy today - I think every Sikh household must have one of those pictures of Darbar Sahib which is a central framed picture with a hinged frame on each side with a painting of Guru Nanak on one side and Guru Gobind Singh on the other !

Here are the pictures

Images of the Guru Sahiban

Guru Nanak

v0045189kh1.jpg

v0045187jn8.jpg

Guru Gobind Singh

l0041024fi8.jpg

v0045188gq0.jpg

l0041031sh0.jpg

l0041032tj1.jpg

Darbar Sahib - hand painted lithographs - Note the Nishan Sahibs - they show a number of different symbols

v0044984uu7.jpg

v0044976rm8.jpg

Maharaja Ranjit Singh

v0044977cg3.jpg

l0028070iq0.jpg

v0045197od3.jpg

Akali Phoola Singh

l0028069ht6.jpg

Sikh People

l0028068cc8.jpg

l0041022so6.jpg

l0028067dl3.jpg

v0045347qo3.jpg

v0045296pe9.jpg

Battle scenes

Sikhs fight against the British

v0044979st4.jpg

v0044974qf6.jpg

Sikhs in the British Army

v0044983sa5.jpg

These following images have a Punjabi Theme

A funeral procession - note the flags and band - this would suggest the funeral of an Elder - who had lived a long life and left behind many great-grand children - in Punjabi called 'Sohne di Pauri charna' - 'having ascended the Golden Ladder' - A time to celebrate and not mourn, as they had been blessed with such a long fruitful life.

v0045183yo3.jpg

I believe this is a scene from the Legend of 'Sohni Mahival' - you can see Sohni crossing the river using a clay pot

v0045193wo8.jpg

A court scene - with an English Judge

v0045185to8.jpg

Pehlwaan - wrestlers

A Pehlwaan wrestler with a 'Shamla' hanging from his turban and a 'Kentha' around his neck

l0041021hp9.jpg

The Akhara

l0041023ph3.jpg

Vices and Addictions

The Stereotype of the Punjabi is that he is of 'Moti Akal' and fond of a drink - in other words a 'bit thick ,slow witted and an alcoholic' - these next images are interesting as they highlight some of these traits - I don't know if they are intended to be humorous but I think they are ! ( apologies if any offence taken - but you can see that 'Nasha' and 'Amlies' and the related behaviour are not a new phenomenon!)

Sharaabies - the perils of too much drink and the related 'misbehaviour' ( an insight into the roots and an indictment of the casual violence and spousal abuse that plagues Punjabi Society)

v0044973vu3.jpg

Addicts and addiction - Amalies and Posties

v0044975oc9.jpg

a 'Mujrah' - dancing performance

v0045186fd1.jpg

Indic Themes

a lithograph depicting a triumphant Durga riding a tiger escorted by Hanuman holding a flag -- I have included this image as it gives the name of the printer of the lithograph, in Amritsar. Also the flag is very interesting - it is very similar to the one in the lithograph of Darbar Sahib, posted above earlier.

v0044985jx3.jpg

These last two images are extremely interesting - while it is not clear who all the individuals are - I think these may be 'propagandist' or at least trying to - to use the vernacular - 'Big Up' certain individuals and agendas

The first shows Sir Donald Friell McLeod, Governor of the Punjab, surrounded by admiring Sikh elders - note how he is seated on a throne with a Chaur and angels or devte with garlands,circling his 'haloed' head - an attempt to use Indic themes to show his postion - real or imagined.

v0048411by9.jpg

This image could be seen as even more controversial - here you can see the Ten Guru Sahiban depicted - as well as Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his family.

You also see Langar being made and served - You can also see 'Ragra' being performed.

However the painter has also shown Sir Donald - seated on a throne. Directly under the Guru Sahiban you see what appears to be Sodhi Bhan Singh and family - decendents of Prithi Chand (Brother of Guru Arjan) known as 'The Minas'. ( Though I could be wrong)

The whole picture seems to be an attempt to show the real or imagined influence of these individuals. This is what makes the picture very interesting - you can see similar attempts to show the influence or prestige of individuals in illuminated manuscripts of The Guru Granth Sahib - namely the Sodhi Bhan Singh manuscript in the N. Delhi Museum.

It shows the power of imagery - and the way it can be used to bolster postion and elevate an indivdual's 'prestige' or attempt to provide legitimacy to a 'postion' or 'lineage'.

Extremely interesting - please post your views !

v0045987tx4.jpg

I think I'll stop there - enjoy the pictures - and please post your views - they are greatly appreciated !

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder if Sir Donald Friell McLeod commisioned the last 2 paintings...

The last one is really interesting, it seems as though the "brains" behind the painting is trying to portray 400 years of Sikh history in one painting, interesting that McLeod is an boat, perhaps symbolising that he is a guest/farangi....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gurfateh !

I have received a higher resolution image of the last image I posted in this thread

In this image you can read the writing - however this doesn't make things much clearer - I have put on my 'Sherlock Holmes' cape and come up with some conclusions - all pure conjecture. So feel free to make and add your own conclusions.

The higher resolution image - (the image is around 3MB - if you would like the big image, PM me your email address and I will send it to you)

imageserval5.jpg

In these details you can see the Ten Guru Sahiban - with the sons of Guru Nanak, Baba Sri Chand is on the right

copyofimageserv3vj8.jpg

copyofimageservpt3.jpg

On the left of Guru Gobind Singh you can see "Bhai Bolaka Sing , Chela G. Govind Sing" - I believe this could be a depiction of Baba Balakh Singh - the mentor of Baba Ram Singh Namdhari

copyofimageserv2ho3.jpg

What adds weight to this being Balakh Singh is the group of Disciples shown below - they include "B. Kahan Sing" - Kahn Singh was the nephew of Balakh Singh and occupied the 'Gaddi' of Balakh Singh at Hazro - these disciples could be some of the 22 'Subas' or deputies that looked after Kuka missionary work as set up by Baba Ram Singh.

copyofimageserv6qe5.jpg

Under the Guru Sahiban on the right is a group of elders described as " This whole class belong to the house Sodee ??" - like I said before I believe this to be the Sodhi Family - not sure if they are the Kartarpur or 'Mina' line. The word Sodee could be Sodoo it's not very clear.

copyofimageserv5rh8.jpg

In this detail you can see the English Lieutenant Governor arriving on a canopied boat and below him Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

copyofimageserv4pl7.jpg

In this detail you can see Langar being made - " cooking house for the poor" and the "Daig of sardai and water" - 'Ragra' performed and 'Shardai' being made.

copy2ofimageserv2ty7.jpg

In this detail langar is served

copy2ofimageserv3vr0.jpg

We can see Lepers and Blind men in the sangat

copy2ofimageserv4xd5.jpg

This is a very interesting painting from an interesting period in History - It appears to show the forerunners of the Namdhari Movement - though it appears to not show Baba Ram Singh - though it is said Ram Singh met Balakh Singh in around 1860 - so maybe this painting is from before then - again pure conjecture.

The painting shows Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the British - it also appears to show the 'Sodhis'.

It could be argued the painting shows all those with influence in Punjab at the time - those in 'power' and with considerable influence.

A point to note is that Guru Nanak Sahib and Ranjit Singh are the only figures with a Nimbus / Halo - and the Lt Governor has a canopy over his head.

The painting is titled "Kings and devotee Sikhs paying homage to Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh

religion." - regardless of who the individuals are they are all paying homage to the Guru Sahiban - even if the painting maybe an attempt to overplay any influence or bolster an individual's standing - or an attempt to give credence to a particular 'lineage' or 'prophecy'.

Please fell free to add your comments - they are greatly appreciated

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gurfateh !

Been doing some more detective work / reading and found this ;

scan10007el8.jpg

*From History of the Sikhs, Vol 5 ,The Sikh Lion of Lahore - Hari Ram Gupta - Munshiram Manoharlal - 1991. pp 418

This might explain who 'Bastee Ram' or Wasti Ram is , - mentioned a number of times in the hand written notes - as well as Gobind Ram and Ram Singh - all of whom are pictured under the Guru Sahiban along with their sons. The bestowing of jagirs and money explains the hand written note - "Offspring and horses of Bastee Ram" - he was a 'Bhai' of some standing and wealth - that also explains why Ranjit Singh is pictured.

I think the Namdhari theory may have been a little hasty ! - but then again I did say they were 'forerunners' - so there maybe something there ??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 7 years later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...