Our exhibition Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King includes many superb objects from the Sikh Empire that provide fascinating insights into the life and legacy of both Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his court.

Drawing on European visitors’ descriptions, Susan Stronge will reveal further evidence of the court’s splendour and bring to light details of day-to-day life – provided by the Maharaja’s chronicler – to reveal how the court’s magnificence was achieved, as well as considering the networks of artistic patronage in early 19th-century Punjab.

About the speaker: Susan Stronge is a Senior Curator in the Asia Department of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. She specialises in the arts of the Sikh and Muslim courts of the Indian subcontinent, and curated the award-winning 1999 exhibition The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms. Her books include Painting for the Mughal Emperor (2002), Tipu’s Tigers (2009) and Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection (2015). Her exhibition The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence opens at the V&A on 9 November 2024 until 5 May 2025.

Take part at the museum: Join us at the museum for this special talk, followed by refreshments and entry to the exhibition Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King until 20.45.

Watch online: This talk will also be broadcast live from the museum. Online ticketholders will be emailed a link to join 24 hours in advance. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks.