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Artist: Vik Kainth, UK
Title: Fauj-i-Khas
Medium: Digital Art
Commissioner: Sharie Kaur

Jean-François Allard born in Saint Tropez, was a French soldier and adventurer. In 1822 he entered the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and was commissioned to raise a corps of dragoons and lancers. On completion of this task Allard was awarded the rank of General and became the leader of the European officer corps in the Maharaja's service. He continued to serve the Maharaja until his death in 1839.

General Paolo Crescenzo Martino Avitabile was an Italian soldier, mercenary and adventurer who served in the Neapolitan militia during the Napoleonic wars.  He joined the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1827, and later also received various civilian appointments. In 1829 he was made administrator of Wazirabad and in 1837 he succeeded Hari Singh Nalwa as governor of Peshawar.  He remained in the Punjab until the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh in 1843, after which he retired to Italy, where his rank as a general was confirmed and he was knighted.

The sword of the Maharaja is depicted on the table, together with the military manual used for training the Fauj-i-Khas.  Collectively, foreign officers were given charge of the care and modernization of a contingent of the Sikh Army, known as the Fauj-i-Khas.

Modelled after French and British forces, the infantry utilised smoothbore muskets (replacing the antiquated matchlocks used during the Misl period).  William Osborne, military secretary to the Governor General of India, who inspected these troops in 1838, remarked of them as working “in three ranks,” “by beat of drum, according to the French fashion,” firing “with greater precision and regularly, both volleys and file firing, than any other troops I ever saw".

Artist

Vik Kainth, UK

Vik Kainth is a Digital Illustrator from East London who is best known for reviving the elements of traditional Indian art alongside modern digital techniques. Vik aims to entice audiences with traditional art from the South Asian subcontinent which has been influenced by themes from Arabic, Mughal and Oriental culture. Aiming to modernise the art we know and love, into the digital era where the worlds eyes are on screens and social media.

Upholding the authentic traditional beauty of South Asian arts are uniquely blended with new digital mediums. His artwork explores immense detail, depth and colour by layering multiple shapes and curvaceous lines to build together a work of art taking a minimum of three days to complete. Vik often tests a number of new digital techniques when creating his pieces to push the boundaries of innovation and digital design. Vik has produced a vibrant variety of original artwork featuring Gods, Goddesses, Maharajas, Maharanis and celebrity figures.

Vik Kainth finds Inspiration from his personal experiences and passions which includes travel, music, faith and fellow creatives such as Cristiano Sequeira and Kenny Vindich. Vik has a strong global following which includes fellow artists, influencers and celebrities alike. His artwork has recently been featured by The Times Of India newspaper and the BBC, as well as commissioned works for Naomi Campbell and Gurdas Mann to name a few. Vik has exhibited his works in Glasgow, Sacramento California, and London’s very own Battersea Park and Southbank Centre. In 2018 he produced a large street art mural in India which was featured by national media. Currently Vik Kainth portrays empowering south asian, retro nostalgic artworks and is designing NFTs for various clients.