Full length portrait of Mahabbat Khan with his sword, pistol and shield. Inscribed: ‘Mohubbut Khan’; in later hand: ‘Muhomed Sirdar Dafadar (Segt) great grandson on the Mother’s side now in Skinner’s Horse.’
Bardat Jat, cultivator, with axe and fork; Kihar Gwala, milkman, and Sanat Jemadar, with matchlock
Scope & Content:
Portraits of Bardat Jat (see Add.Or.1271), cultivator, with axe and fork; Kihar Gwala, milkman, and Sanat Jemadar, with matchlock. Inscribed in Persian characters; ‘Bardat, Kihar, Sanwat:’ in English: ‘Burdut Jat. Gwullah. Saamut Jemadur.’
Bahadur Singh Muqaddam, zamindar's agent, holding a rosary
Scope & Content:
Bahadur Singh Muqaddam, zamindar’s agent, holding a rosary. Inscribed in Persian characters: ‘Surat i Bahadur Singh Muqaddam zamindar I sapala’; in English; ‘Bahadoor Mookuddum.’
Portrait of a seated musician, Faquir(?) Khan, with his ‘sitar.’ Inscribed: ‘Sukeer Khan’ Note: The musicians depicted in Add.Or.1279-1281 are probably Skinner’s own retained musicians. Major Archer, who visited Skinner in January 1828 refers to ‘his own band of Kulamets (men singers)’ who ‘e...
Zalim Sen of Mandi (1826-39) seated with his nephew Balbir Sen (1839-51)
Scope & Content:
Zalim Sen (ruled 1826-39) of Mandi (Punjab Hills) seated with his nephew, Balbir Sen (ruled 1839-51). Inscribed in Persian characters: ‘Balbir Sen rajah i Mandi’; in English: ‘The Mundee Rajah and son.’ Note: The English inscription is clearly incorrect. The painting must depict Balbir Sen (t...
Ranbir Chand and Pramod Chand, grandsons of Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra
Scope & Content:
Rambir Chand (?-1847) and Pramod Chand (1815-51), grandsons of Raja Sansar Chand (ruled 1775-1823) of Kangra (Punjab Hills), seated together. Inscribed in Persian characters: ‘Aulad i rajah Sansar Chand’ (Descendants of Raja Sansar Chand); in English: ‘Sons of Raja Sunsur Chund with the Goitres...
Jemadar Khushal Singh, a favourite of Ranjit Singh
Scope & Content:
Portrait of Jamadar Khushal Singh. Inscribed in Persian characters: ‘Jam‘dar Khwushhal Singh’; in English: ‘Jemadar Kooshal Singh (Runjeet Singh’s Man Friday).’ Note: Jamadar Khushal Singh (1790-1839) joined Ranjit Singh’s bodyguard in 1807 and became a favourite. He was Chamberlain in 1811 a...
Portrait of Suchet Singh. Inscribed in Persian characters: ‘Rajah Suchet Singh’; in English: ‘Rajah Soocheit Singh.’ Note: Suchet Singh (1801-44) was the third of three Dogra brothers who were members of a junior branch of the Jammu royal family. He entered Ranjit Singh’s service in 1812 and ...