October

This round shield is of watered steel, elaborately decorated with a border in gold koftgari. The Shield has a surface of the metal inside the border that is overlaid by two very stylised peacocks and two short-legged animals that might be mongooses/crocodiles. The interior is lined with red velvet, the same material being used to cover the two grips. It was presented by the East India Company in 1851 to the Tower of London.

Elaborately decorated Watered steel (Wootz) shield from Lahore. The meandering arabesque design is also seen on some helmets (Khula Khuds) and Bazu Bands (arm gauntlets) associated with the Sikh empire during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's reign. The gold koftgari 6 flower petal design surrounding the borders is another hallmark of the Lahore workshops under the Sikh territories.

HISTORY

During the early eighteenth century Lahore was coveted by the Mughals, Afghans and the Sikhs. Various battles and alliances took place during this time until the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who took over the area in 1799. Various workshops were setup in places across the Punjab including Lahore where artisans worked on creating elaborate designs on arms and armour. The 3D Sikh installation featuring this object was installed at The Royal Armouries, in 2023.