The land of five waters gave the world its first cities, its saints and its songs. Broken by every empire that crossed it, it is still ours to remember, and to make whole again.

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PUNJAB WIKIਪੰਜਾਬپنجابMuseum
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Englishਪੰਜਾਬੀپنجابی

Land & Ages

The LandRivers, doabs, Harappa and the first cities, seasons, numbersAgesEight ages of the Punjab, from the Soan to todayTimelineEvery dated event on one lineAtlasEvery place on one map, age by agePlacesCities, ancient sites, temples, mosques and gurdwaras, battlefieldsLanguage & scriptsPunjabi, its dialects, Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi

People & Faiths

PeopleSaints and teachers, poets and singers, rulers, rebels, the people of both PunjabsPeople of the landJats, Rajputs, Arains, Khatris, Dalit communities and more, across every faithFaithsHindu traditions, Islam and the Sufis, Sikhi, and the Punjab's other faiths

Kingdoms & Struggles

Kingdoms & WarsWho ruled the Punjab, the Kingdom of Lahore, and the battles fought over itWho ruled the PunjabEvery ruling power, 518 BCE to todayWars & BattlesFrom the Hydaspes to BasantarStruggles & Partitions1849, 1919, 1947, 1966, 1984, 2020

Culture & Museum

CulturePoets, qisse, songs, music, dance, festivals, foodMuseumSculpture, coins, manuscripts, painting, arms, buildings, and where to see themChronicles & ProphecyThe poetry of the old chroniclesAboutWhat this atlas is, its sources, and every word explainedHelp maintain this siteCorrections, pictures, sources and new entries
Punjab WikiMuseumFrom the world's museums
From the world's museums · 1708 – 1799 · 491

Misls and Afghans

Banda Singh's rising, Nadir Shah and Abdali, the Ghallugharas, Bulleh Shah and Waris Shah, and the twelve misls.

This age on the site →

The Sikh courts and the Gurus

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Guru Gobind Singh and Guru NanakGuru Gobind Singh and Guru Nanakca. 1700 - ca. 1720 · Mandi© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting of Guru Nanak listening to Bhai Mardana, Punjab, ca.1700–25Painting of Guru Nanak listening to Bhai Mardana, Punjab, ca.1700–25Wikimedia Commons ↗Painting of Guru Arjan Dev, Punjab, ca.1700–50Painting of Guru Arjan Dev, Punjab, ca.1700–50Wikimedia Commons ↗Painting of Guru Har Rai (or possibly Guru Hargobind?), Punjab, ca.1700–50Painting of Guru Har Rai (or possibly Guru Hargobind?), Punjab, ca.1700–50Wikimedia Commons ↗Raja Jaswant Singh of Siba, Siba School, 1730-1750 CE, Lahore MuseumRaja Jaswant Singh of Siba, Siba School, 1730-1750 CE, Lahore MuseumLahore Museum · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Raja Balwant SinghRaja Balwant Singhca. 1750 · Jammu© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) in Multiple FormsGuru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) in Multiple Forms18th century · TibetArt Institute of Chicago ↗Painting of Guru Nanak with Guru Gobind Singh, Mandi, ca.1750Painting of Guru Nanak with Guru Gobind Singh, Mandi, ca.1750Museum Rietberg, Zurich · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗India, Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, circa 1780 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorIndia, Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, circa 1780 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Durga on tigerDurga on tigerLate 18th century -early 19th Century · Kangra© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting, Punjab HillsPainting, Punjab Hillsca. 1790 · Punjab Hills© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting, GulerPainting, Gulerca. 1790 · Guler© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Equestrian portrait of Akali Phula Singh (altEquestrian portrait of Akali Phula Singh (altBritish Museum, London · photo After: Colesworthey Grant Published by: Thacker & Co (?) (Wikimedia Commons) ↗

Arms and armour

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Dagger and sheathDagger and sheathearly 18th century · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Sword and sheathSword and sheath18th century to 19th century · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗FirearmFirearm18th century · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Sword and sheathSword and sheath18th century · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Sword and sheathSword and sheath18th century · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Sword and sheathSword and sheath18th century to 19th century · Peshawar© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Sword and sheathSword and sheath18th century · Peshawar© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗SwordSword18th century or 19th century · Punjab (India)© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗

Manuscripts and the written word

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This is one page from a manuscript created by Sikh followers in 1733 CE. It is the…This is one page from a manuscript created by Sikh followers in 1733 CE. It is the…British Library, London · photo Ms Sarah Welch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Illustrated Manuscript in Gurmukhi, 18th century CE, Himachal State Museum, ShimlaIllustrated Manuscript in Gurmukhi, 18th century CE, Himachal State Museum, ShimlaWikimedia Commons · SpeakingArch · CC BY-SA ↗Guru Granth Sahib being illustrated in the 18th CenturyGuru Granth Sahib being illustrated in the 18th CenturyNational Museum, New Delhi · photo Nomu420 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Manuscript cover depicting Mahishasuramardini from Mandi, mid 18th centuryManuscript cover depicting Mahishasuramardini from Mandi, mid 18th centuryNational Museum, New Delhi · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗

Pahari painting from the hills

415
Painting, Punjab HillsPainting, Punjab Hillsca. 1700 - ca. 1720 · Punjab Hills© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗India, Himachal Pradesh, Guler, circa 1690-circa 1710 Drawings; watercolors Opaque…India, Himachal Pradesh, Guler, circa 1690-circa 1710 Drawings; watercolors Opaque…LACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Indischer Maler um 1710 001Indischer Maler um 1710 001British Museum, London · photo Indian painter in the Mankot style (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Hanuman, Rama and SitaHanuman, Rama and Sitaca. 1710 · Chamba© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗KaliKalica. 1710 · Chamba© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting of Raja Udai Singh of Chamba smoking huqqa with retinue, ca.1710Painting of Raja Udai Singh of Chamba smoking huqqa with retinue, ca.1710National Museum, New Delhi · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Sugriva challenges his brother Vali, King of the Forest Dwellers, to a duelSugriva challenges his brother Vali, King of the Forest Dwellers, to a duelc. 1700–1720 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗Painting, MandiPainting, Mandica. 1700 - ca. 1720 · Mandi© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗A Mandi royal family member receives a nobleA Mandi royal family member receives a noblec. 1700–1720 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗Scuola di mankot, varahavtara, 1710Scuola di mankot, varahavtara, 1710Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad · photo Sailko (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY ↗Varadhana RagaVaradhana Ragaca. 1700 - ca. 1720 · Kulu© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗The Heroine Who is Faithfully Loved: Madhya Svadhinapatika NayikaThe Heroine Who is Faithfully Loved: Madhya Svadhinapatika Nayikac. 1710 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗Stone sculptures in a Shiva templeStone sculptures in a Shiva templec. 1710 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗Vivacha Ragaputra, from a RagamalaVivacha Ragaputra, from a Ragamalac. 1700–1720s · Northern India, Pahari kingdoms, Himachal PradeshCleveland Museum of Art ↗Scuola di basholi-kangra, nobiluomo e donna sotto un'albero, 1710Scuola di basholi-kangra, nobiluomo e donna sotto un'albero, 1710Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad · photo Sailko (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY ↗MANKOT VARAHAVATARA 1710 A.D. Salar JungMANKOT VARAHAVATARA 1710 A.D. Salar JungSalar Jung Museum, Hyderabad · photo Ann1967 (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY ↗Krishna and Balarama touching the feet of Vasudeva and DevakiKrishna and Balarama touching the feet of Vasudeva and Devakic. 1700–1725 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗Painting of a devi (goddess) among the flames, Mandi, Pahari, ca.1700–1725Painting of a devi (goddess) among the flames, Mandi, Pahari, ca.1700–1725Asian Art Museum, San Francisco · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗King Dasharatha confers with Kaikeyi, from the “Shangri” RamayanaKing Dasharatha confers with Kaikeyi, from the “Shangri” Ramayanac. 1700–1725 · Northern India, Pahari kingdoms, Himachal PradeshCleveland Museum of Art ↗Rishyashringa addresses the courtesans, from the "Shangri" RamayanaRishyashringa addresses the courtesans, from the "Shangri" Ramayanac. 1700–1725 · Northern India, Pahari kingdoms, Himachal PradeshCleveland Museum of Art ↗Hanuman spies Sita in the Ashoka Grove, from the “Shangri” RamayanaHanuman spies Sita in the Ashoka Grove, from the “Shangri” Ramayanac. 1700–25 · Northern India, Pahari kingdoms, Himachal PradeshCleveland Museum of Art ↗Sita asks Rama to fetch the golden deer, from the “Shangri” RamayanaSita asks Rama to fetch the golden deer, from the “Shangri” Ramayanac. 1700–1725 · Northern India, Pahari kingdoms, Himachal PradeshCleveland Museum of Art ↗Painting, MandiPainting, Mandica. 1710 - ca. 1720 · Mandi© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Alhaiya RagaAlhaiya Ragaca. 1710 - ca. 1720 · Mankot© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Vinoda RaginiVinoda Raginica. 1710-1720 · Mankot© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗India, Jammu and Kashmir, Mankot, circa 1715 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorIndia, Jammu and Kashmir, Mankot, circa 1715 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Shri Raga, early 18th century CE, Bilaspur School of Pahari Kalam Himachal State MuseumShri Raga, early 18th century CE, Bilaspur School of Pahari Kalam Himachal State MuseumWikimedia Commons · SpeakingArch · CC BY-SA ↗Raja Jai Singh of KuluRaja Jai Singh of Kuluca. 1715 · Bilaspur© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting, KuluPainting, Kuluca. 1715 · Kulu© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗India, Pahari Hills, Kulu School, late 17th-early 18th CenturyIndia, Pahari Hills, Kulu School, late 17th-early 18th CenturyWikimedia Commons ↗Heroine with attendant and a pair of deerHeroine with attendant and a pair of deerc. 1710–20 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗India, Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, circa 1715 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorIndia, Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, circa 1715 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Indischer Maler von 1720 001Indischer Maler von 1720 001British Museum, London · photo Golu of Nurpur (Wikimedia Commons) ↗India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli, circa 1720 Drawings Pencil on paper; red tint Gift of…India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli, circa 1720 Drawings Pencil on paper; red tint Gift of…LACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Painting of Raja Udai Singh of Chamba holding a falcon, ca.1720Painting of Raja Udai Singh of Chamba holding a falcon, ca.1720Government Museum, Chandigarh · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Painting of Raja Udai Singh of Chamba pouring wine from a decanter, ca.1720Painting of Raja Udai Singh of Chamba pouring wine from a decanter, ca.1720Wikimedia Commons ↗

See all 415 →

Lahore, Multan and the Punjab

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Bahadur Shah IBahadur Shah Ica. 1710 · Mughal Empire© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Nadir Shah, Victoria & AlbertNadir Shah, Victoria & AlbertV&A, London · photo Muhammad Pana (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Nadir Shah at the sack of Delhi - Battle scene with Nader Shah on horsebackNadir Shah at the sack of Delhi - Battle scene with Nader Shah on horsebackMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston · photo possibly by Muhammad Ali ibn Abd al-Bayg ibn Ali Quli Jabbad (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Nadir Shah on the Peacock Throne after his defeat of Muhammad ShahNadir Shah on the Peacock Throne after his defeat of Muhammad ShahWikimedia Commons ↗Painting, portrait of Nadir Shah seated on a carpet, oil on canvas, probably TehranPainting, portrait of Nadir Shah seated on a carpet, oil on canvas, probably TehranV&A, London · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Portrait of Nadir Shah, bust to left, with tall jewelled hat and double pearl necklacesPortrait of Nadir Shah, bust to left, with tall jewelled hat and double pearl necklacesBritish Museum, London · photo Charles Heath (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY ↗Portrait of Nadir ShahPortrait of Nadir ShahWikimedia Commons · Bahram ↗This painting depicts a bearded ruler, probably Nadir Shah of Persia (rThis painting depicts a bearded ruler, probably Nadir Shah of Persia (rWikimedia Commons ↗Painting, MankotPainting, Mankotca. 1730 · Mankot© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Raja Ajmat DevRaja Ajmat Devca. 1730 · Mankot© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Nadir Shah Receiving an Ottoman Envoy, Possibly Muhammad Rashid Khan, Iran, 1730s-1740sNadir Shah Receiving an Ottoman Envoy, Possibly Muhammad Rashid Khan, Iran, 1730s-1740sWikimedia Commons · Possibly Muhammad Rashid Khan ↗Radha and KrishnaRadha and Krishnaca. 1730-1735 · Basohli© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗The mosque was probably constructed in 1735 by the Mughal Governor Abdul Samad KhanThe mosque was probably constructed in 1735 by the Mughal Governor Abdul Samad KhanBritish Library, London · photo William Baker (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Painting of Nader Shah, he was Shah of Iran from 1736 to 1747Painting of Nader Shah, he was Shah of Iran from 1736 to 1747Wikimedia Commons · Abolhassan Mostofi Ghaffari ↗Tahmas Kuli Chan (Nadir Shah), Christopherus Volf, 1736, GermanyTahmas Kuli Chan (Nadir Shah), Christopherus Volf, 1736, GermanyBritish Museum, London · photo Christopherus Volf (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Nadir ShahNadir Shahc. 1740 · Mughal Empire© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Mian Mukund DevMian Mukund Devca. 1740 - ca. 1745 · Jasrota© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting of Ahmad Shah Abdali (also known as Ahmad Shah Durrani) kept in the Lahore…Painting of Ahmad Shah Abdali (also known as Ahmad Shah Durrani) kept in the Lahore…Lahore Museum · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Painting of Jai Singh Kanhaiya receiving Raja Raj Singh and other hill princesPainting of Jai Singh Kanhaiya receiving Raja Raj Singh and other hill princesWikimedia Commons ↗RumalRumal18th century · Punjab Hills© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Raja Balwant SinghRaja Balwant Singhca. 1750 · Jasrota© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting of Guru Gobind Singh on-horseback, Patiala, Punjab, circa late-18th centuryPainting of Guru Gobind Singh on-horseback, Patiala, Punjab, circa late-18th centuryWikimedia Commons ↗Gilded equestrian painting of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Punjab PlainsGilded equestrian painting of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Punjab PlainsMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Painting, Punjab PlainsPainting, Punjab Plainsfirst quarter 18th century · Punjab Plains© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗RumalRumal18th century · Himachal Pradesh© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Lady with a red Ball, Guler School of Art, 1750-1760, Lahore Museum (1)Lady with a red Ball, Guler School of Art, 1750-1760, Lahore Museum (1)Lahore Museum · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Abhisarika NayikaAbhisarika Nayikaca. 1760 · Guler© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Indischer Maler um 1760 001Indischer Maler um 1760 001Indian Museum, Kolkata · photo Indischer Maler um 1760 (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Princess smoking a hookahPrincess smoking a hookahc. 1760 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗Penance of Kardama, 1765 CE, Basholi School, Lahore Museum (1)Penance of Kardama, 1765 CE, Basholi School, Lahore Museum (1)Lahore Museum · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗King Muchukunda Enters the Realm of Mount Gandhamadana to Attain SalvationKing Muchukunda Enters the Realm of Mount Gandhamadana to Attain Salvationc. 1760–70 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗Raja Shamsher Sen and Dhurchatia SenRaja Shamsher Sen and Dhurchatia Senca. 1765 - ca. 1780 · Mandi© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting, GulerPainting, Gulerca. 1775 · Guler© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Lady Tempting Peacock, 1780 CE, Guler School of Art Lahore Museum (1)Lady Tempting Peacock, 1780 CE, Guler School of Art Lahore Museum (1)Lahore Museum · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra FortRaja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fortafter 1782 · Northern India, Pahari kingdom of KangraCleveland Museum of Art ↗Huqqa baseHuqqa baselate 18th century · Punjab (India)© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗

See all 43 →

Shawls, textiles and embroidery

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Rumal with Vishnu temple and subsidiary shrinesRumal with Vishnu temple and subsidiary shrines1700s · Northern India, Pahari Kingdom of ChambaCleveland Museum of Art ↗Rumal with Rama and Krishna scenesRumal with Rama and Krishna scenes1700s · Northern India, Pahari Kingdom of ChambaCleveland Museum of Art ↗Panel, Punjab (India)Panel, Punjab (India)18th century · Punjab (India)© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Textile, ChambaTextile, Chambalate 18th century · Chamba© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗

Pottery, metalwork, woodwork and jewellery

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Tile, Punjab (India)Tile, Punjab (India)early 18th century · Punjab (India)© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Armlet of bazubandArmlet of bazuband1700s-1800s · India, Punjab, 18th-19th CenturyCleveland Museum of Art ↗WristletWristlet18th Century · India, Punjab (?)Cleveland Museum of Art ↗Tile, MultanTile, Multan18th century · Multan© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗

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Shown here are the objects whose pictures museums have released openly. Far more are in their collections, and in museums with no open search, such as the Lahore Museum. Searching for "Punjab".

Pictures from the collections of Art Institute of Chicago, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum (via Europeana), Bhuri Singh Museum, Chamba, 65 more, found automatically: public domain or openly licensed, except the V&A's, shown for non-commercial use with the museum's credit. Titles and dates are the museums' own; each card names its museum and any licence. Updated 2026-10-26.

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