The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire: Dr Priya Atwal (1837)
Dr Priya Atwal, author of Royals and Rebels, the Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire
In this episode of Travels Through Time we attend a magnificent Sikh royal wedding which was as much carefully orchestrated political theatre as it was the union of two people before god.
Indian weddings are famous for their exuberance and that of Prince Nau Nihal Singh, who married Bibi Nanaki Kaur Atariwala in 1837, may well have been the most extravagant of all time. This lavish month-long celebration was an emotional moment for the young Prince’s grandparents, Ranjit Singh, ‘the lion of Punjab’, Maharajah and founder of the splendid Sikh dynasty that ruled northern India from 1799-1849, and his beloved wife, Maharani Datar Kaur.
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They oversaw the wedding preparations and presided over the whole extravaganza. But while the guests feasted and the dancing girls performed, Ranjit Singh and his advisors were busy negotiating with representatives of the East India Company over the division of power in the Punjab and beyond.
Our companion at this extraordinary event is Dr Priya Atwal whose new book Royals and Rebels, the Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire aims to inspire, ‘a new kind of conversation’ about this compelling dynasty, by looking at the sources in a different light and considering a wider range of players than has traditionally been done. In the Sikh Empire, women played a more active role than has been previously appreciated, often acting as regents on behalf of their children or ruling alongside their husbands. Priya brings their stories to life here and reveals Sikh history in its full glory.
Click here to order Dr Priya Atwal’s book Royals and Rebels, the Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire from an independent bookshop near you.
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Show Notes
Scene One: March 6th, 1837. The 'vatna' ceremony performed by his family (particularly his grandmother and the senior queens) where the couple are smeared with a paste made of turmeric as part of his pre-wedding celebrations.
Scene Two: A few days later, 1837. The wedding ceremony at the home of Sham Singh Attariwala, local warlord and father of the bride.
Scene Three: End of March, 1837. The military parade performed by the groom in front of Maharajah Ranjit Singh's British guests at the end of the month-long celebrations.
Memento: One of the Maharani’s incredible outfits, including the jewels!
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Presenter: Violet Moller
Guest: Dr Priya Atwal
Production: Maria Nolan
Podcast partner: Unseen Histories
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About Dr Priya Atwal
Dr Priya Atwal is a historian and author. Her research interests lie in the subjects of empire, monarchy and cultural politics, particularly across Britain and South Asia. She obtained her doctorate at the University of Oxford, where she now holds a post as a Community History Fellow. She has also taught History at Oxford and King’s College London.
Featured Images
Map of India (1818)
Source: Library of Congress
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