Former MP Calls for Preservation of Sikh Treasures

London, Sep 10 (PTI) Former Rajya Sabha MP Sardar Tarlochan Singh has urged British Sikh lawmakers and peers to initiate comprehensive research into the dispersed treasures of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, with the aim of organizing and preserving them in a museum for future generations.

The former chairman of the National Commission for Minorities spoke at an event honoring him, hosted by the British Sikh Association at the House of Lords in London on Monday evening.

The 92-year-old advocate highlighted media reports that unveiled a colonial-era file documenting several treasures of the 19th-century Sikh Empire ruler in India.

“A catalog of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s toshakhana (treasury) treasures should be released to instill pride in our Sikh heritage among our children,” said Singh. Historical records indicate that Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s sacred plume, worn on his turban, was housed in the toshakhana, with Maharaja Ranjit Singh touching it daily.

“Numerous precious artifacts exist. The Maharaja’s golden chair is currently displayed at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London, but many items are in storage, awaiting exhibition under one roof,” he noted.

Singh, who was instrumental in establishing a museum on Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Amritsar, emphasized that his request is not for the repatriation of these artifacts to India, but for their proper preservation and exhibition in the UK.

“I urge Sikh parliamentarians in the UK to consolidate our heritage scattered across various collections, such as the V&A, Sandhurst, and the British Museum, for display to the younger generations,” he appealed.

The philanthropist, awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2021 for his social service contributions, also called on the British Sikh Association to commemorate the 1897 Battle of Saragarhi in London, as depicted in the 2019 Bollywood film 'Kesari'.

“The 128th anniversary of this historic battle will be marked this week on September 12, where only 21 Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army's 36th Sikh Regiment defended the Saragarhi outpost against thousands of Afghan tribesmen,” stated Lord Rami Ranger, chairman of the British Sikh Association.

“Sardar Tarlochan Singh has provided us with substantial insights, prompting the association to establish a Saragarhi Memorial Society to pursue this initiative,” he added.

Lord Kuldip Singh Sahota, a Labour peer in the House of Lords originally from India, mentioned a bronze statue of Havildar Ishar Singh in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, honoring his role in the historic Battle of Saragarhi in the North West Frontier Province of British India.

Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi praised Sardar Tarlochan Singh’s relentless efforts to inspire Sikhs worldwide to impact their communities positively as he presented him with the British Sikh Association’s Sikh Jewel Award.

The event concluded with the association and Lord Rami Ranger donating 2,000 pounds towards flood relief efforts being coordinated by the 'Daily Ajit' newspaper in Punjab.

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