Unknown Artist / Maker
Iran and India
late 17th century (blade)
1st quarter 19th century (mounts),
Walrus ivory, steel, gold, agate, wood, leather, velvet, sequins, seed pearls and coloured stones,
Length: 91.6 cm, overall,
Weight: 1.02 kg, without scabbard, OA1404, Oriental Armoury, museum page. The Wallace say: This magnificent gold-mounted sword (shamshir) once belonged to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the ‘Lion of the Punjab’ (1780-1839). In terms of Sikh history, Ranjit Singh has been compared to Napoleon Bonaparte in the breadth of his vision, his charisma, and the extent of his political and military achievements. Unlike Napoleon, however, he never lost a major battle. Although ravaged by smallpox as a child (the disease permanently blinding him in one eye) by the age of ten Ranjit Singh was accompanying his father on military campaigns, and at twelve he took command of his first battle. In 1799, at the age of just nineteen, he rode at the head of his army into the city of Lahore, to found the first Sikh dynasty to control the entire Punjab.
to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work
to remix – to adapt the work
Under the following conditions:
attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
share alike – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same or compatible license as the original.