Nishan Sahib Khanda Sikh Symbols Sikh Museum History Heritage Sikhs

Late 19th Century

Late 19th Century - Religious Images

Religious paintings from the late 19th century are consistent with images of Nishan Sahibs depicted on building from that era as well as Nishan Sahibs from earlier eras. We also see a greater prevalence of weapons in interesting proto-khanda like configurations by the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

Guru Gobind Singh and Attendants

ca. 19th century, hand-colored woodcut, private collection

The Nishan Sahib has an orange background with gold borders. The interior features a dhal shield, katar dagger and tulwar sword.
The Four Sons of Guru Gobind Singh

ca. 19th century, paint on paper, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh

The Nishan Sahib has a patterned yellow background with a bordered interior segment of solid yellow. Such patterns are seen on old Nishan Sahibs from the Khalsa era and this painting may have been inspired by an illustration from an older manuscript.
Guru Gobind Singh and Attendants

Wall painting, ca. 19th century, Temple of Bairagis at Ram Tatwali, District Hoshiarpur

The Nishan Sahib has a patterned white interior with a purple colored border with a pattern of white dots. Such patterns are seen on old Nishan Sahibs from the Khalsa era and this painting may have been inspired by an illustration from an old manuscript.
The Ten Sikh Gurus

ca. late 19th century – early 20th century, paint on paper, private collection

The painting includes two styles of religious emblems composed of an arrangement of weapons.
Closeup of first emblem which appears at the top of the previous image.

This emblem is composed of a circular dhal shield overlaid with two crossed swords, a bow and a trident spear.
Closeup of second emblem which appears twice at the bottom of the previous image.

This emblem is composed of a circular dhal shield overlaid with two crossed swords, two crossed axes and a trident spear. The two axes are elements that also appear on some late 19th century and early 20th century Sikh emblems.
The Ten Sikh Gurus

ca. late 19th century – early 20th century, paint on paper, Mysore region, South India, private collection

This painting includes two styles of religious emblems composed of various weapons. The uppermost emblem has a chakkar quoit overlaid with two crossed swords, a bow and a trident spear. The two lower emblems have a chakkar quoit overlaid with two crossed swords, two crossed axes and a trident spear.
Closeup of the previous image.
The Ten Sikh Gurus

ca. late 19th century - early 20th century, paint on paper, private collection

Two distinct types of religious emblems appear in this painting. The topmost larger emblem is composed of two crossed swords, a bow, trident spear and a chakkar quoit. The other variation near the bottom has two crossed swords, a bow, two crossed axes, a trident spear and a chakkar quoit.