{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O16836"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O16836/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BF7982/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BF7982/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BF7982","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AH4486","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O16836/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O16836","accessionNumber":"IS.11-1987","objectType":"Painting","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This painting depicts a group of Akali Sikhs on the march and was painted in the Panjab around 1860. The word <i>Akali</i> means a devotee of Akal, the Timeless One (God), and refers to wandering bands of religious zealots who dressed in blue and often carried several steel chakras (quoits) around their tall cotton turbans; they were also known as Nihangs, from the Persian <i>nahang</i> (crocodile), which means one who has nothing and is free from anxiety and care. \r\n\r\n‘Company paintings’ were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars. Company painting developed late in the Panjab and never became as common as in other parts of India.","physicalDescription":"A group of four Akalis on the march. One rides a pony, all wear the distinctive Akali turban.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"watercolour","id":"x33202"},{"text":"paper","id":"x30308"}],"techniques":[{"text":"painted","id":"x30138"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Watercolour on paper","categories":[{"text":"Paintings","id":"THES48917"},{"text":"Indian Company Paintings","id":"THES49045"}],"styles":[{"text":"Company","id":"AAT18959"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006BF7982","2006AH4486"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"006","id":"THES403772"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Painting","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Lahore","id":"x30874"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1850","earliest":"1845-01-01","latest":"1854-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Presented in memory of Michael Jones, 1987","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"18.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"24.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Given in memory of Michael Jones by his friends.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Painting, Akali Sikhs, opaque watercolour on paper, Lahore, ca. 1850","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Swallow, Deborah and John Guy eds. <font u>Arts of India: 1550-1900</font u>. text by Rosemary Crill, John Guy, Veronica Murphy, Susan Stronge and Deborah Swallow. London : V&A Publications, 1990. 240 p., ill. ISBN 1851770224, p.194, pl.167."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Archer, Mildred. <u> Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period</u> \r\nVictoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992 173 p. ISBN 0944142303"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"horse","id":"x30117"},{"text":"spear","id":"AAT37038"},{"text":"Sword","id":"AAT37048"},{"text":"Costume","id":"AAT209261"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"GROUP OF AKALI SIKHS\r\nWatercolour on paper\r\nPunjab, India\r\nc. 1860\n\r\nIS.11-1987\r\nPresented in memory of Michael Jones\r\n‘Akali’ means a devotee of Akal, the ‘Timeless One’ or God. They usually wear indigo-dyed clothes and distinctive high turbans carrying steel quoits (chakras) and other weapons. Akalis are also known as Nihangs, from the Persian nahang. This literally means crocodile, but also refers to someone who has no fear.","date":{"text":"27/9/2013","earliest":"2013-09-27","latest":"2013-09-27"}}],"partNumbers":["IS.11-1987"],"accessionNumberNum":"11","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1987,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-24","recordCreationDate":"1999-12-15","availableToBook":true}}