India’s Treasure Auctioned in UK, Necklace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Wife Sold for 187,000 Pounds

After triggering a challenging bidding war, finally, an emerald and seed pearl necklace owned by the wife of Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Maharani Jindan Kaur, has been sold for 187,000 pounds at a London auction recently. Maharani Jindan Kaur, who is the last and youngest of his queens, wore the necklace. Maharani Jindan Kaur is known for her bravery and valour. She was also the only queen of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who did not commit Sati after his death rather chose to fight for Punjab and its people.

It was earlier estimated that the price of the necklace would be between 80,000 and 120,000 pounds, but during the auction, it surpassed its estimated price and reached 187,000 pounds, when finally the deal was closed.

The necklace was among the number of treasures from the Lahore Treasury, which was auctioned as part of the ‘Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale’ in London recently. The total sale, which also includes a number of items dating back to the British Raj, fetched a total of 1,818,500 pounds. A Mughal era emerald seal made for and bearing the name of Marian Hastings was also sold for 181,250 pounds.

Oliver White, Bonhams Head of Indian and Islamic Art said, “In a highly successful sale, the Sikh treasures stood out with pride of place going to the magnificent necklace from the fabled Lahore Treasury that once belonged to the formidable and courageous Jindan Kaur. The high price reflected fierce and competitive bidding in the room, on the phones and over the internet”.

As the Regent to her 5-year-old son Duleep Singh, who was declared the Maharaja of Punjab in the year 1843, Jindan Kaur organised armed resistance against the British invasion but was overpowered and later captured and imprisoned. In Kathmandu, the King of Nepal kept her under house arrest. Later she was moved to England where she was reunited with her son.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Among the treasures that are auctioned also include a gold threaded and embroidered, velvet-clad leather bow and arrow holder or quiver used by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who is also known as the Lion of Punjab was also sold for 100,000 pounds. According to Oliver White, “The quiver was made purely for ceremonial purposes, and appears to have been rarely worn. As a result, it is in excellent condition”.

Thus it may be the same quiver, which is believed to be used by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the year 1838 during the wedding of his eldest son and heir Kharak.