On the 28 and 29 September the Royal Armouries will invite visitors to the court of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, famously known as The Lion of Punjab, in the final event in the museum’s ‘Monarchs’ season.
Ranjit Singh ruled between 1792 –1839, establishing a Sikh kingdom whilst defending India against invasion. His reign saw a renaissance of Sikh culture.
This special weekend we will take you back to 1838, the mighty Maharajah has kept the British at bay for three decades, and now they want to march an army across Punjab into Afghanistan. Will the Earl of Auckland, the Governor-General of British India, persuade the Lion of Punjab?
The Maharajah and the Earl of Auckland will be holding court in the museum’s throne room each day, followed by an action-packed programme of shows and tours, including exciting demonstrations of the traditional Sikh martial art Gatka with the opportunity to have-a-go. The programme will also feature international storyteller Roop Singh who will be telling fascinating stories about Ranjit Singh’s rule. Visitors can learn more about turban tying in Sikh culture and have a go for themselves.
For younger visitors there will be early years hands-on storytelling sessions and craft activities throughout the weekend.
The Royal Armouries collection includes a number of remarkable objects from Sikh culture, including swords, daggers, guns and even a Quoit Turban from the late 18th – early 19th century.
Commenting on the event Mark Jackson, Events and Informal Learning Manager said: “We are excited to conclude our Monarchs season by delving into the history of the Sikh empire and its famous ruler Ranjit Singh. The museum’s collection includes a large number of remarkable objects from the Indian sub-continent and Ranjit Singh’s lifetime. It will be a great day out for all ages to enjoy, with early years storytelling and crafts for little ones, and exciting demonstrations and have-a-go sessions for adults, including a chance to see and try out the Sikh martial art of Gatka, which is a real spectacle.”
The event is free to attend, find out more:
Entry to the museum is free but some activities carry a small charge.
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