Khalsa Flag by Sikh Museum Initiative on Sketchfab
This triangle flag with three seams comprises of one side with central gilt solar motif on floral ground, the other with depiction of the Goddess Durga on her tiger flanked by Hanuman and Kartikeya set on ground of floral sprays, the green silk borders with gilt scrolling floral vine, with wooden pole in three sections with steel spear head terminal and steel handle with two fluted bosses with brass fittings.
The origins of the flag are not known and there has been much speculation on the flag from them being used by ‘Hindu regiments’ within the Sikh Empire to them being an integral part of the Khalsa Army. However, this type of flag has been the most prominent one found related to the Anglo Sikh Wars.
Ten of these flags were captured at the Battle of Gujarat, the battle leading to the annexation of the Punjab. The Governor-General Lord Dalhousie of the East India Company purchased them from an auction at Lahore. They remained in the Dalhousie family until they were auctioned off in May 1990.
Brown Bess by Sikh Museum Initiative on Sketchfab
The brown bess can be described as a muzzle-loading musket. This musket was used in the era of the expansion of the British Empire and acquired symbolic importance at least as significant as its physical importance. It was used in battles such as that of Waterloo. They were also sold to other countries and sometimes it would be used by their foes in war.
The Brown Bess was classified into a variety of distinct “land patterns”, such as the India Pattern utilized by the East India Company, each of which were produced to specific standardized lengths and weights.
During the Anglo Sikh Wars (1845-1846) and (1848-1849) for the British the weapons for the cavalry were the lance for the lancer regiments and sword and carbine for all; the infantry were armed with the Brown Bess musket and bayonet. Sikh soldiers amongst other weapons carried a tulwar (sword) for hand to hand fighting as well as the Brown Bess which was introduced during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
British Entry into the city and the fort of Lahore after the Anglo Sikh Wars
Sources:
- https://www.anglosikhmuseum.com/relics/
- http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/index.html
- https://collections.vam.ac.uk/category/sikhism/THES48894/
