"A painting of Sikh Akali Warriors by Emily Eden, 1844" Topic

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Druzhina	03 Jan 2015 6:12 p.m. PST
A painting of Sikh Akali Warriors by Emily Eden, 1844 The Akalis (a.k.a. "Akalees"), "Immortals" or "Timeless Ones," is a specific class of Sikh warrior. Renowned for their bravery and ferocity, as well as for their distinctive headgear and other accoutrements, the Akalis personified the Sikh ideal of military courage and heroism. Akali soldiers were renowned in the 19th century for their valour in defending the Sikh kingdoms of Punjab. Are the Aklis mentioned in any accounts of battles? MIRROR SITES A painting of Sikh Akali Warriors by Emily Eden, 1844 A painting of Sikh Akali Warriors by Emily Eden, 1844 Druzhina 19th Century Indian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
Oh Bugger	04 Jan 2015 6:05 a.m. PST
Yes they are. Its also said by some that Ranjit Singh was pleased to see their numbers diminished by losses in battle as he considered them a potentialy disruptive element in the Sikh state. The quoits worn on their rather groovey hats were sometimes thrown in battle. QRF, Blackhat and Irregular all supply Akalis in 15mm. Colourful high morale troops for those of us interested in the Sikh Wars.
Lion in the Stars	04 Jan 2015 1:01 p.m. PST
In "History of the Malakand Field Force", Churchill comments about a couple Sikh units throwing quoits at the Pathans before a charge, and that was in 1897-98!
Druzhina	06 Jan 2015 10:39 p.m. PST
I have added more images of Sikh Akali and their turbans: Two Sikh Akalis, opaque watercolour on paper, Punjab Plain, c. 1840-1850 Akali turban; cotton over a wicker frame, with quoits and other embellishments of steel overlaid with gold; Lahore, Pakistan; mid-19th century Akali turban, with steel quoits; Sikh, Punjab, mid 19th century Painting, Akali Sikhs, opaque watercolour on paper, Lahore, ca. 1850 Painting, An Akali Sikh seated near the Golden Temple, by William Carpenter (1818-99), watercolour on paper, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 1854. Druzhina 19th Century Indian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
Oh Bugger	08 Jan 2015 7:00 a.m. PST
Very nice. I'm guessing Emily Eden painted when she accompanied her brother George (Lord Aukland a of some renown) on his vist to Runjeet Singh on the eve of the first Afghan War. Emily kept a diary which was published I must read it one day.

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