< Back to Collection

Sarkar-E-Khalsa Lapel Pin

£19.00

Meticulously crafted in metal with an exacting attention to historical detail, this distinguished lapel pin features the map of the Sikh Empire, elegantly inscribed with “Sarkar-e-Khalsa”—a title resonant with sovereignty, justice, and collective identity. Though modest in scale, it carries profound symbolic weight: to wear it is to embody a legacy of resilience, principled governance, and cultural pride rooted in a defining epoch of Punjab’s history. The refined finish and enduring material ensure both durability and distinction, making it a subtle yet powerful statement piece. Ideal for those who value heritage and meaning in what they adorn, this pin transcends ornamentation, serving instead as a dignified emblem of representation and historical consciousness.

Add to Cart

  • HISTORY

    The original and one of its kind gold coin, attributed to the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and now preserved in the Lahore Museum, is generally dated to the 1830s. The obverse features a finely executed right-facing portrait of the Maharaja, set within a striking twelve-pointed sunburst—a design element that immediately distinguishes it from conventional Sikh coinage and reflects strong European artistic influence.


    The reverse bears a Persian inscription enclosed within a similar twelve-pointed star:


    مہاراجہ رنجیت سنگھ بہادر والی پنجاب

    (Maharaja Ranjit Singh Bahadur Wali-i-Punjab)


    This translates to:

    “Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Brave, Ruler of Punjab.”


    Unlike standard Sikh coins, which traditionally invoked the authority of the Gurus rather than naming the sovereign, this inscription employs a direct and formal royal style, suggesting that the piece was intended as a ceremonial or commemorative object rather than for everyday monetary use.


    Numismatic scholar Hans Herrli has suggested in his book “The Coins of the Sikhs” (1986) that this coin was likely brought from France by Jean-François Allard, a high ranking General in the Maharaja’s army. Supporting this view is the historical record that Allard returned to France on leave in June 1834, accompanied by his wife and children. During his stay, it is believed that he commissioned or arranged for the production of this coin, whose stylistic features—particularly the portraiture and radial star motif—bear clear hallmarks of European medallic art.


    General Allard returned to Punjab approximately eighteen months later, in 1836, to resume his service. It is at this point that he is thought to have presented the coin as a gift to the Maharaja, likely as a diplomatic or commemorative offering, alongside a letter from King Louis-Philipe I of France addressed to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, which served as friendly diplomacy and a show of strength for Lahore Durbar's foreign relations, further underscoring the cultural and artistic exchange between the Sikh court and Europe during this period.

  • SPECIFICATIONS

    Dimensions & Weight:

    • Diameter: 50mm
    • Depth: 3mm
    • Weight: 50g (approx)


    Material:

    • High-quality alloy metal