Sikhlens Calendar
2022
The Fort and Palace of Ranjit Singh
Jag Singh Reyatt
The 2022 Sikhlens Calendar is The Fort and Palace of Ranjit Singh, Emperor of Punjab (1780-1839). Ranjit Singh led the Sikh army into Lahore in 1799 at age 19. He united the Sikh misls, was proclaimed Maharaja in 1801, and refused a crown, calling his rule Sarkar Khalsa. Coins went out in the names Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.
The Lahore Fort, the Shahi Qila, became the capital of the Sikh Empire and Ranjit's court and palace until his death in 1839. It stayed with the Sikh maharajas until 1849. His closest ministers included Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, and Christians. Places of worship of every community received state support.
Photographs for the year are by Jagjit "Jag" Singh Reyatt, Sikhlens's official photographer, born and trained in Kenya. UNESCO has funded restoration inside the fort in recent years. The complex remains one of the sites any visitor to Lahore should see.
Months
Introduction
Ranjit Singh, Emperor of Punjab
January
Alamgiri Gate
February
Diwan-e-Aam / The Court of the People
March
Diwan-e-Khaas / The Court of the Nobles
April
Throne in the Diwan-e-Aam
May
Royal Residence / Sheesh Mahal
June
Sheesh Mahal / The Palace of Mirrors
July
Sheesh Mahal Ceiling
August
The Elephant Stairs
September
Kutchery / Royal Court
October
Private Apartment of Rani Jindan
November
The Pictured Wall
December
The Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
Back page
Thank you to our sponsors