The Nishan Sahibs and their emblems found on buildings in this era, specifically at the Darbar Sahib complex seem to fall into three general categories.
1) Plain Nishan Sahibs similar to those seen during the early years of the Sikh Empire.
2) Nishan Sahibs with weapons, primarily the tulwar sword, dhal shield and katar dagger in a similar configuration as found on the exterior and interior of Darbar Sahib that date to the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
3) Rectangular shaped Nishan Sahibs with a solid light inner section and a darker border along its edges. The shapes of these Nishan Sahibs are more rectangular with an irregular edge. All other Nishan Sahibs including the modern banner have always had a triangular shape with straight edges. These unusual rectangular Nishan Sahibs are seen in paintings from the 1850’s to the 1860’s and were eventually replaced by triangular banners with tulwar sword, dhal shield and katar dagger configurations in the 1870’s.
The twin Nishan Sahibs of Miri-Piri have a large red inner section with a dark green border. The Nishan Sahib appears to be similar to the ones depicted in the Gulgashat-i-Punjab manuscript.
The rectangular shape with irregular edges of the Nishan Sahib are clearly visible.
The twin Nishan Sahibs of Miri-Piri have a rectangular shape with a light white background and a darker blue borders.
The twin Nishan Sahibs of Miri-Piri have a navy blue outer segment with a red inner segment.
The rectangular shape of these Nishan Sahibs is clearly visible.
The construction of the British Gothic style clock tower helps date this early photograph of Darbar Sahib to between 1870-1872. The twin Nishan Sahibs of Miri-Piri can be seen on the left hand side.
Although details of their emblems cannot be determined, the two Nishan Sahibs are clearly different colors. The lefthand Nishan Sahib is very dark, likely blue, while the righhand Nishan Sahib is light, likely kesri orange.
Located on the banks of the River Godavari at the city of Nanded in the state of Maharashtra, Western India. This important Gurdwara marks the place where Guru Gobind Singh was cremated. A large Nishan Sahib can be seen flying over the complex.
The Nishan Sahib has a patterned background with a densely patterned border. It includes a tulwar sword, dhal shield with its four metal bosses which act as rivets for the strap handles visible and at the very bottom a katar dagger. The placement of weapons is similar to Nishan Sahibs found on the interior and exterior of Darbar Sahib.
An orange Nishan Sahib with a large katar dagger is visible in the foreground. Although the Nishan Sahib may also have had other weapons on it, they are not visible as the banner is partially unfurled in this painting.
The Nishan Sahibs have an arrangement of weapons. Only one of the Miri-Piri Nishan Sahibs has been colored in. Perhaps to suggest that one is a light color, while the other is a dark color - similar to the 1870 photograph.
The Nishan Sahib has an arrangement of a katar dagger next to a dhal shield with a tulwar sword beneath them.
The Nishan Sahibs depicted have an arrangement of a tulwar sword, katar dagger and dhal shield.
A light orange colored Nishan Sahib is seen flying from Darbar Sahib. This painting is likely a copy made by the artist of an older painting, showing the Darbar Sahib and surrounding parkarma architecture from the Sikh Empire era, but updated with a fully marble parkarma from the late 19th century.
The Nishan Sahibs have a plain orange background. One of the two Miri-Piri Nishan's and the one at Darbar Sahib may also have a gold colored emblem or pattern.
The Nishan Sahib may have a gold colored emblem or pattern at its center.
A solid orange colored Nishan Sahib is seen accompanying the Guru Granth Sahib on elephant. Details of any possible emblem on the banner are not visible as it is unfurled.
Estimated to have been commissioned sometime after 1870 this stunning sculpture also features three important Sikh symbols found on Nishan Sahibs from Maharaja Ranjit Singhs era on its pedestal.
A katar dagger, dhal shield and a tulwar sword are visible on the pedestal. These three symbols also appear on a number of other 19th century Nishan Sahibs including some from Maharaja Ranjit Singhs era.
This scale model of Darbar Sahib was presented to Queen Victoria or King Edward VII. It features a Nishan Sahib with a chakkar quoit and khanda sword on an orange background with patterned gold borders. The configuration of the chakkar and khanda is similar to that of a Rattray's Sikhs military emblem laid on its side.
Although the dress and turban style are typical of those worn by members of the Nihang sect, the turban emblem depicted is not. The emblem consists of a chakkar quoit with a straight bladed khanda sword appearing within and extending above the top of the chakkar. These two weapons in a similar configuration are also seen on some modern khanda emblem designs.
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