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 · 353

Early photographs

The first photographs of Lahore, Amritsar and the Punjab, from the 1850s on.

Explore the collectionA map, a timeline and a web of the people, places and battles the objects show

Vedas, Alexander and Gandhara

1900 BCE – 1000 · 4
Bodhisattva AvalokiteśvaraBodhisattva Avalokiteśvara8th/9th century · PakistanArt Institute of Chicago ↗Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated with Hand in Gesture of Gift Giving (Varadamudra)Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated with Hand in Gesture of Gift Giving (Varadamudra)8th/9th century · SwatArt Institute of Chicago ↗Four-Armed Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated in Lotus Position (Padmasana)Four-Armed Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated in Lotus Position (Padmasana)8th/9th century · PakistanArt Institute of Chicago ↗Standing Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Holding a Lotus FlowerStanding Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Holding a Lotus Flowerearly 9th century · SwatArt Institute of Chicago ↗

Gurus and Mughals

1469 – 1708 · 3
Photograph of a Sikh fakir (possibly an Udasi or Nirmala), LahorePhotograph of a Sikh fakir (possibly an Udasi or Nirmala), LahoreWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of the tomb of Mughal emperor Jahangir at Shahdara, Lahore, Punjab, IndiaPhotograph of the tomb of Mughal emperor Jahangir at Shahdara, Lahore, Punjab, IndiaWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of a man overlooking the city of Lahore from the rooftop of the Wazir Khan…Photograph of a man overlooking the city of Lahore from the rooftop of the Wazir Khan…Wikimedia Commons ↗

The Kingdom of Lahore

1799 – 1849 · 2
Kulu, Himachal Pradesh: two women wearing large nose ringsKulu, Himachal Pradesh: two women wearing large nose rings[between 1800 and 1899]Wellcome Collection ↗Photograph of Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai in Amritsar, postcard-print by Lal Singh & Co.Photograph of Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai in Amritsar, postcard-print by Lal Singh & Co.Wikimedia Commons · Lal Singh & Co. ↗

Colonial Punjab

1849 – 1947 · 212
The Sikh Town of AnundporeThe Sikh Town of Anundpore1850s to 1870s · Anandpur Sahib© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗LahoreLahore1850s to 1870s · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Lahore from WazeerLahore from Wazeer1850s to 1870s · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Palms in the Shadra Gardens LahorePalms in the Shadra Gardens Lahore1850s to 1870s · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗LahoreLahore1850s to 1870s · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Jehanger's TombJehanger's Tomb1850s to 1870s · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Red Fort at Lahore Gate, New DelhiRed Fort at Lahore Gate, New Delhimid 19th century · Delhi© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗DelhiDelhi1850s to 1870s · Delhi© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗CashmereCashmere1850s to 1870s · Jhelum (river)© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗CashmereCashmere1850s to 1870s · Kashmir© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗CashmereCashmere1850s to 1870s · Kashmir© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Hoshiarpore Caves of Peer NigahaHoshiarpore Caves of Peer Nigaha1850s to 1870s · Hoshiarpur© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph of the Sodhis of Anandpur Sahib, by Francis Frith, ca.1850's–1870'sPhotograph of the Sodhis of Anandpur Sahib, by Francis Frith, ca.1850's–1870'sV&A, London · photo Francis Frith (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Lahori gate at the Red Fort, DelhiLahori gate at the Red Fort, Delhimid 19th century · Delhi© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗A Sikh Shrine at Keeruthpore, PunjaubA Sikh Shrine at Keeruthpore, Punjaub1850s to 1870s · Punjab (India)© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Maharaja Duleep SinghMaharaja Duleep Singhca. 1850 · London© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, Himachal PradeshPhotograph, Himachal Pradeshmid 19th century · Himachal Pradesh© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, Himachal PradeshPhotograph, Himachal Pradeshmid 19th century · Himachal Pradesh© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, Himachal PradeshPhotograph, Himachal Pradeshmid 19th century · Himachal Pradesh© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗MurreeMurree1850s to 1870s · Murree© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph of a Hindu temple at Thanesar, Punjab, by Francis Frith, ca.1850's–70'sPhotograph of a Hindu temple at Thanesar, Punjab, by Francis Frith, ca.1850's–70'sV&A, London · photo Francis Frith (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Landscape at RogiLandscape at Rogimid 19th century · Himachal Pradesh© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, SimlaPhotograph, Simla1850s to 1870s · Simla© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Chess setChess set19th century · Punjab (India)© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗CoverCover19th century · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗

See all 212 →

Two Punjabs

1947 – today · 1
Taj Mahal: Sikh touristsTaj Mahal: Sikh tourists1967 · India© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗

Through the ages

131
Moské, Badshahi Mosque, fotografi, photographMoské, Badshahi Mosque, fotografi, photographPakistan Pakistan Пакистан Paquistão Пакистан Pakistanas Pakistan Pakistāna PakiMuseum of Ethnography (via Europeana) ↗Photograph of a Punjabi Brahmin from the Saraswat community of LahorePhotograph of a Punjabi Brahmin from the Saraswat community of LahoreWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph depicting a Greco Buddhist statue of a king from GandharaPhotograph depicting a Greco Buddhist statue of a king from GandharaPakistan© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph of a Gandharan sculpture (noPhotograph of a Gandharan sculpture (noLahore Museum · photo Gertrude Bell (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Photograph of a Gandharan sculpture depicting the birth of the future BuddhaPhotograph of a Gandharan sculpture depicting the birth of the future BuddhaLahore Museum · photo Gertrude Bell (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Fotografi, photographFotografi, photographPakistan Pakistan Пакистан Paquistão Пакистан Pakistanas Pakistan Pakistāna PakiMuseum of Ethnography (via Europeana) ↗Photograph of the temple and gateway in Kashmiri style at Malot, Jhelum DistrictPhotograph of the temple and gateway in Kashmiri style at Malot, Jhelum DistrictBritish Museum, London · photo Joseph David Beglar (1845–1907) (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Photograph, AmritsarPhotograph, AmritsarAmritsar© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Tank and Golden TempleTank and Golden TempleAmritsar© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Baba Atal's TempleBaba Atal's TempleAmritsar© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph of the Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara in AmritsarPhotograph of the Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara in AmritsarNational Army Museum, London · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Photograph of the main entrance of the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib in AmritsarPhotograph of the main entrance of the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib in AmritsarWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of the Sikh religious initiation ceremonyPhotograph of the Sikh religious initiation ceremonyNational Army Museum, London · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Sikh Pioneers (an engineer battalion of the Indian army) in Tel-el-Kebir, EgyptSikh Pioneers (an engineer battalion of the Indian army) in Tel-el-Kebir, EgyptWellcome Collection (via Europeana) · CC BY ↗Photograph of a crowd, including Akali-NihangsPhotograph of a crowd, including Akali-NihangsWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of a group of men seated in the square of the Akal Takht in the Golden…Photograph of a group of men seated in the square of the Akal Takht in the Golden…Wikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of a group of boys gathered at the waterfront in foreground of the Golden…Photograph of a group of boys gathered at the waterfront in foreground of the Golden…Wikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of ascetics meditating on the bank of the temple-tank of the Golden TemplePhotograph of ascetics meditating on the bank of the temple-tank of the Golden TempleWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of men on the edge of a temple-tankPhotograph of men on the edge of a temple-tankWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of men sitting on the edge of a temple-tank with the Golden Temple in the…Photograph of men sitting on the edge of a temple-tank with the Golden Temple in the…Wikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of people in the courtyard [parikarma/parikrama] of the Golden TemplePhotograph of people in the courtyard [parikarma/parikrama] of the Golden TempleWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of schoolboys of Amritsar at the Golden Temple beside the temple-tankPhotograph of schoolboys of Amritsar at the Golden Temple beside the temple-tankWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of the Golden Temple of Amritsar in the middle of its temple-tank, PunjabPhotograph of the Golden Temple of Amritsar in the middle of its temple-tank, PunjabWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of women walking toward the Darshani Deori on the causeway of the Golden…Photograph of women walking toward the Darshani Deori on the causeway of the Golden…Wikimedia Commons ↗Photograph taken from a high vantage-point [either from a bunga or Gurdwara Baba Atal…Photograph taken from a high vantage-point [either from a bunga or Gurdwara Baba Atal…Wikimedia Commons ↗Stereograph of ascetics along the bank of the temple-tank [sarovar] of the Golden…Stereograph of ascetics along the bank of the temple-tank [sarovar] of the Golden…Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Stereograph of the Golden Temple [Darbar Sahib/Harmandir Sahib] and its sacred tank…Stereograph of the Golden Temple [Darbar Sahib/Harmandir Sahib] and its sacred tank…Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Photograph of a view of the causeway leading toward the Golden Temple through the…Photograph of a view of the causeway leading toward the Golden Temple through the…Wikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of devotees exiting the Golden Temple towards the gateway of the Darshani…Photograph of devotees exiting the Golden Temple towards the gateway of the Darshani…Wikimedia Commons ↗Photograph of the Golden Temple with Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai in the background to the…Photograph of the Golden Temple with Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai in the background to the…National Army Museum, London · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Photograph of the entrance-gate and causeway over the temple-tank of the Golden TemplePhotograph of the entrance-gate and causeway over the temple-tank of the Golden TempleWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph plate titled 'PLATE IXPhotograph plate titled 'PLATE IXWikimedia Commons ↗Print of Felice Beato's photograph of the interior of Harmandir Sahib or the Golden…Print of Felice Beato's photograph of the interior of Harmandir Sahib or the Golden…Wikimedia Commons ↗Photograph plate titled 'PLATE XPhotograph plate titled 'PLATE XWikimedia Commons ↗Photograph, LahorePhotograph, LahoreLahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Photograph, LahorePhotograph, LahoreLahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗

See all 131 →

Search the museums' full collections

V&A ↗ · British Museum ↗ · The Met ↗ · Cleveland ↗ · Wellcome Collection ↗ · Wikimedia Commons ↗ · Ashmolean ↗ · Royal Collection ↗ · Pitt Rivers ↗

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 "Lahore photograph".

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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