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Surrey Museum hosts exhibition on Sikh history
Select items from the 1,230+ collection of rare books, maps, and medals are curated to highlight the multifaceted history of the Sikh diaspora.
Surrey Museum plans exhibition on Sikh history / Surrey.ca
The Sikh community in Surrey, British Columbia, has set up an exhibition to expose visitors to the heritage and identity of the Sikh diaspora.
Titled ‘Lahore to London: A Journey of Chardi Kala,’ the exhibition opened for public viewing on February 6 and will remain until May 19, 2024. It showcases a selection of objects in the Wanjara Nomad collection, containing over 1,230 rare books, maps, and medals, among other things.
It is curated to highlight the multifaceted history of the Sikh diaspora, the East India Company, and the British Empire. The earliest book in the collection is from circa 1671 and the majority of the books are from the 1800s and early 1900s.
The Wanjara Nomad collection contains published material focusing on Sikh cooperation with colonial powers and how it shaped Sikh identity through the Mughal and British eras. It also showcases the role played by Sikhs in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Indian subcontinent.
Books and artifacts on display include ‘Annexation of the Punjab and the Maharajah Duleep Singh’ from 1992 and ‘Punjab Court- and Camp of Runjeet Singh’ from 1840 which details the historical account of Maharaja Runjeet Singh’s court and military camp during the Sikh Empire. The ‘Personal Scrapbook of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh’ is also on display at the exhibition among other works.
"The aim of this exhibit is preserving, learning, and sharing in Chardi Kala with fellow Canadians,” said Raj Singh Bhandall, curator of Wanjara Nomad Collections, according to a statement.
Chardi Kala is a part of Sikhism, embodying a state of constant happiness, optimism, and enthusiasm, and reflects an understanding that life’s challenges can be overcome by maintaining a positive outlook. “We are excited to have selections from this collection on display for Surrey residents. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the communities here in Surrey,” said Lynn Saffery, Museum manager.
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