Three Warriors, Emily Eden, Lithograph, 58x45 cms.

Emily Eden, acquired fame for her detailed portrayals of Indian people in their ethnic ensemble. Her deep sense of observation can be seen in the careful representation of people’s ethnicity through her lithographs.
This print shows Indian warriors known as Akalis or Immortals. Emily Eden describes them as “Sikh religious devotees, being very wild in appearance and turbulent characters.” These warriors occupy foreground, with a minimal landscape, forming the background. This lithograph forms part of a series painted by Emily Eden titled as Portraits of the Princes and People of India.
The Akalis are dressed in their traditional garb with high-peaked turbans. The rings of steel, which they wear as emblems of their devotion to the fi rst great military leader of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh have also been carefully depicted. With long beard and thick moustaches, these warriors hold bamboo sticks of varied types. Renowned for their bravery and ferocity, as well as for their distinctive headgear and other accoutrements, the Akalis personifi ed the Sikh ideal of military courage and heroism. Chakkars or the fl at metal circular rings seen on the headgear and apparel of these Akalis are one of the characteristic features. These could be used as weapons, to be thrown at the enemy from close quarters. The Akali soldiers were renowned in the 19th century for their valour in defending the Sikh kingdoms of Punjab.

Portfolio Name: Company Paintings in Rashtrapati Bhawan
Source: Lalit Kala Akademi