Naksha - Sarkar-e-Khalsa 2025 Calendar - 11" x 14" Print

"Naksha, rendered in natural pigments and 24K shell gold, captures the expanse of the Sikh Empire at the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's passing. To evoke a sense of timelessness, I chose not to include a specific date, preserving an ambiguity that also complements the 2025 calendar date. River and city names are delicately lightened to allow the symbols to take precedence, lending the work a more visual than textual focus.

Non-empire territories are colored in a deep red, a nod to Ranjit Singh’s foreboding reflection on the spread of foreign control. A few cities outside the empire, like Patiala, hold personal significance for me, adding context to the larger map, which is scattered with symbols of mountains and tree life.

Malachite marks the territories within the empire. An ancient compass motif, the south-pointing fish, provides directionality, while two battle standards flank a central gajgah symbol—reminders of the martial prowess that defined and defended the empire. The left side of the map is adorned with objects of battle: cannon, helmet, water canteen, shield, and sword.

Each city reveals its own story:

• Near Peshawar, Hari Singh Nalwa's shield stands as a tribute to his governance.
• The Shahi Mosque in Chiniot and the Martanda Sun Temple in Kashmir highlight the empire’s religious inclusivity.
• Multan, a hub on the trade route, displays a pomegranate, commonly found in its markets.
• In Gujranwala, a lion pays homage to Ranjit Singh, the Lion of Punjab.
• Kangra depicts Sada Kaur on an elephant.
• Chamba is marked by a malachite stone—both a nod to the pigment used in this work and a tribute to its vibrant miniature painting tradition.
• Jhelum, vital for supplying horses, shows one modeled after Nila, a recurring figure in my work with deep roots in Sikh thought.
• Lahore, as the empire’s capital, is marked with Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s throne.
• Amritsar, naturally, bears the golden Harimandir Sahib.

This piece is a layered homage to the empire’s cultural, strategic, and spiritual legacy."