Artefacts from Shrewsbury’s Regimental Museum have been packed up and shipped off to a major Sikh Museum initiative (SMI) exhibition about the Anglo Sikh wars.

photo: Christine Bernath with medals, a replica of the Koh-Noor diamond, a Sikh Tulwar sword and part of a regimental colour

Christine Bernath, curator of the museum in Castle Street, has been selecting a number of items including swords, medals and a magnificent pair of Sikh war sleeves in preparation for the exhibition which is being held in Leicester.

The exhibition will show, for the first time ever, a hidden era of British and Sikh history. The project will showcase relics that have been 3D modelled and will use augmented reality technology to bring alive the story of the battles and treaties from the Anglo Sikh Wars that took place from 1845 – 1849.

The wars were fought between the Sikh Empire and the East India Company through a number of battles leading to the annexation of the Punjab in 1849. These battles took place in India and Pakistan where the British were led by generals who had fought in many military campaigns, like the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), whilst the Sikhs were led by remnants of the Sikh Armies created by Maharajah Ranjit Singh (1780-1839).

The exhibition tells the story of the battles through a number of artefacts which were captured by British regiments including swords, manuscripts, paintings and other objects from the battlefields. With the annexation of the Punjab in 1849, Maharaja Duleep Singh became a ward of the British and the famous Kohinoor diamond was taken by the British as part of the Treaty of Lahore.

Christine said: “We are very excited to be involved in this fantastic project.”

Photo: Taken at the launch of the project with colour fragment from the Anglo Sikh Wars.  Raj Mann, Jasmohan Singh Obhi, Sikh Scholar: Gurinder Singh Mann, Christine Bernath and Taranjit Singh.

Anglo Sikh Wars Battles, Treaties and Relics is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and supported many partners across the UK.

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