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 museumsLahore, Multan and the Punjab
Lahore, Multan and the Punjab · 76

Gurus and Mughals

1469 – 1708

Punjabi Miniature showing Guru Nanak with followersPunjabi Miniature showing Guru Nanak with followersWikimedia Commons · SpeakingArch · CC BY-SA ↗Sikhs paying homage to Guru NanakSikhs paying homage to Guru NanakWellcome Collection (via Europeana) · CC BY ↗Babur fights Hazara tribesmen in February 1507 on the road from Herat to KabulBabur fights Hazara tribesmen in February 1507 on the road from Herat to KabulV&A, London · photo c.1590 artist (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Hazara horseman fighting Babur's troops on the Herat-Kabul road in February 1507.Hazara horseman fighting Babur's troops on the Herat-Kabul road in February 1507.V&A, London · photo 1589-90 artist (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Battle of Panipat (20 April 1526)Battle of Panipat (20 April 1526)National Museum, New Delhi · photo Painters of Babur (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Model of Battle of Panipat (1526) displayed at Indian War Memorial museum, NaubatkhanaModel of Battle of Panipat (1526) displayed at Indian War Memorial museum, NaubatkhanaWikimedia Commons · Vssun · CC BY-SA ↗Humayun's army had a significant role in the battle of Panipat in CE 1526Humayun's army had a significant role in the battle of Panipat in CE 1526National Museum, New Delhi · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Guru Angad, Lahore Museum, accGuru Angad, Lahore Museum, accLahore Museum · photo possibly the family workshop (or atelier) of Nainsukh of Gul (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Brass, India, 16th centuryBrass, India, 16th centuryWikimedia Commons · Annonymouse9 · CC BY ↗Angel on a Composite Animal, Mughal Painting circa 16th century, Chandigarh MuseumAngel on a Composite Animal, Mughal Painting circa 16th century, Chandigarh MuseumGovernment Museum, Chandigarh · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗The text on the back of the picture describes the Battle of Machhiwara in May 1555The text on the back of the picture describes the Battle of Machhiwara in May 1555Wikimedia Commons · unbekannter Maler im Atelier Akbars in Lahore ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, 1555-1556 Furnishings Opaque watercolor, goldPakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, 1555-1556 Furnishings Opaque watercolor, goldLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Mir Sayyid Ali (Wikimedia Commons) ↗BAIRAM KHAN PETITIONS THE YOUNG AKBAR FOLLOWING THE SIEGE OF MANKOT IN 1557BAIRAM KHAN PETITIONS THE YOUNG AKBAR FOLLOWING THE SIEGE OF MANKOT IN 1557V&A, London · photo unbekannter Maler im Atelier Akbars in Lahore (Wikimedia Commons) ↗This illustration to the Akbarnama (Book of Akbar) depicts the victory of the imperial…This illustration to the Akbarnama (Book of Akbar) depicts the victory of the imperial…V&A, London · photo Composition by Tulsi; painted by Bhawani, portraits by Sanwa (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Part of Akbar's success in creating a stable empire in India was his curiosity about…Part of Akbar's success in creating a stable empire in India was his curiosity about…The Met, New York · photo Patron: 'Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad Bairam Khan Khan-i Khanan (Wikimedia Commons) ↗This file represent the Farman of Akbar issued for Hemu community of dhusar bhargav…This file represent the Farman of Akbar issued for Hemu community of dhusar bhargav…Wikimedia Commons · Akbar the great · CC BY-SA ↗Brooklyn Museum - The Emperors Akbar Jahangir and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and…Brooklyn Museum - The Emperors Akbar Jahangir and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and…Brooklyn Museum · photo Chitaraman, Indian (Wikimedia Commons) ↗The Delhi Darbar of Akbar IIThe Delhi Darbar of Akbar IIWikimedia Commons · Ghulam Murtaza Khan(?) ↗This illustration to the Akbarnama (Book of Akbar) depicts the fight that took place in…This illustration to the Akbarnama (Book of Akbar) depicts the fight that took place in…V&A, London · photo The overall composition of the painting was designed by the (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Akbar Khan Muhammad of the Barakzai dynasty (Nawab Mohammad Akhbar Khan)Akbar Khan Muhammad of the Barakzai dynasty (Nawab Mohammad Akhbar Khan)National Army Museum, London · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Drawing, LahoreDrawing, Lahore1556-1605 · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Portrait of Mian Mir and Mulla Shah MET sf09-227-4rPortrait of Mian Mir and Mulla Shah MET sf09-227-4rThe Met, New York · photo Creator:Muhammad Musa (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, circa 1585-1590 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorPakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, circa 1585-1590 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, circa 1585-1590 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorPakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, circa 1585-1590 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Babur's army defeating Hazara tribesmen, c.1589, Baburnama, housed at the V&A MuseumBabur's army defeating Hazara tribesmen, c.1589, Baburnama, housed at the V&A MuseumV&A, London · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, circa 1590 Drawings; watercolors Ink, opaque watercolorPakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, circa 1590 Drawings; watercolors Ink, opaque watercolorLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Attributed to Basawan (India, Akbar reign, Mughal Empire, ac (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal, circa 1590 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolor, goldPakistan, Lahore, Mughal, circa 1590 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolor, goldLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal, circa 1590 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolor, goldPakistan, Lahore, Mughal, circa 1590 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolor, goldLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗AkbarnamaAkbarnamaca. 1590-95 · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Wazir Khan and Bahadur KhanWazir Khan and Bahadur Khanca. 1590-95 · Mughal Empire© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal, circa 1594 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolor, goldPakistan, Lahore, Mughal, circa 1594 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolor, goldLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal, circa 1594 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolor, goldPakistan, Lahore, Mughal, circa 1594 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolor, goldLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, colophon dated 1596 Drawings; watercolors Opaque…Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, colophon dated 1596 Drawings; watercolors Opaque…LACMA, Los Angeles · photo Basawan (India, active circa 1556-1600) (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal, 1596 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorPakistan, Lahore, Mughal, 1596 Drawings; watercolors Opaque watercolorLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Timur distributes gifts from his grandson, the Prince of Multan, from a Zafar-namaTimur distributes gifts from his grandson, the Prince of Multan, from a Zafar-nama1598–1600 · Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)Cleveland Museum of Art ↗Berlín Lahore ca. 1610- 01Berlín Lahore ca. 1610- 01Wikimedia Commons · Miguel Hermoso Cuesta · CC BY-SA ↗Berlín Lahore ca. 1610- 02Berlín Lahore ca. 1610- 02Wikimedia Commons · Miguel Hermoso Cuesta · CC BY-SA ↗Berlín Lahore ca. 1610- 03Berlín Lahore ca. 1610- 03Wikimedia Commons · Miguel Hermoso Cuesta · CC BY-SA ↗BracketBracketca. 1617-1618 · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Portrait of Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur (reigned 1618–46)Portrait of Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur (reigned 1618–46)probably 1619 · Mughal India, Court of Jahangir (reigned 1605 - 27), possibly LaCleveland Museum of Art ↗Contemporary portrait of Dara Shikoh in 1628Contemporary portrait of Dara Shikoh in 1628British Museum, London · photo 1628 artist (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Painting of Dara Shikoh (left) and Mian Mir (right) seated together, ca.1630Painting of Dara Shikoh (left) and Mian Mir (right) seated together, ca.1630British Library, London · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Ia) Shah Jahan watches the assault on Daulatabad Fort in 1633; b) Capture of Daulatabad…Ia) Shah Jahan watches the assault on Daulatabad Fort in 1633; b) Capture of Daulatabad…LACMA, Los Angeles · photo Babur (Wikimedia Commons) ↗A) Shah Jahan watches the assault on Daulatabad Fort in 1633; b) Capture of Daulatabad…A) Shah Jahan watches the assault on Daulatabad Fort in 1633; b) Capture of Daulatabad…LACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Sultan Dara Shikoh (1615-1659 CE) and his son on the elephant ManmurtSultan Dara Shikoh (1615-1659 CE) and his son on the elephant ManmurtWikimedia Commons · Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) · CC BY-SA ↗Balchand, Prince Dara Shikuh And His Mistress On A Terrace At Night 1640-1650 Aga Khan…Balchand, Prince Dara Shikuh And His Mistress On A Terrace At Night 1640-1650 Aga Khan…Wikimedia Commons · Balchand ↗Mughal Miniature showing Dara Shukoh viewing acrobats, circa 1640-50 CE, National MuseumMughal Miniature showing Dara Shukoh viewing acrobats, circa 1640-50 CE, National MuseumNational Museum, New Delhi · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Dara ShikohDara Shikoh17th century · Mughal Empire© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗A Mughal Painting showing a Hunting Scene, circa 17th century, Chandigarh MuseumA Mughal Painting showing a Hunting Scene, circa 17th century, Chandigarh MuseumGovernment Museum, Chandigarh · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Jehangir on a Hunt, circa 17th century CE, Government Museum and Art Gallery, ChandigarhJehangir on a Hunt, circa 17th century CE, Government Museum and Art Gallery, ChandigarhGovernment Museum, Chandigarh · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Shah Jehan in court, circa 1650 CE, Mughal School of ArtShah Jehan in court, circa 1650 CE, Mughal School of ArtGovernment Museum, Chandigarh · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Celestial SphereCelestial Sphere1656-1657 · Lahore© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Wazir Khan Hammam, Inner City LahoreWazir Khan Hammam, Inner City LahoreWikimedia Commons · Tahir mq · CC BY-SA ↗A painting by William Carpenter of Wazir Khan Mosque, cA painting by William Carpenter of Wazir Khan Mosque, cV&A, London · photo William Carpenter (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Folio of the Adi Granth with nishan (signature) of Guru Tegh Bahadur, ca.1676Folio of the Adi Granth with nishan (signature) of Guru Tegh Bahadur, ca.1676Government Museum, Chandigarh · photo Guru Tegh Bahadur (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Portrait of elderly Bahadur Shah IPortrait of elderly Bahadur Shah IWikimedia Commons ↗Emperor Bahadur Shah I, enthroned outdoors.Emperor Bahadur Shah I, enthroned outdoors.Wikimedia Commons ↗Bahadur Shah I with is four SonsBahadur Shah I with is four SonsWikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA ↗Portrait of Bahadur Shah I (rPortrait of Bahadur Shah I (rWikimedia Commons · SpeakingArch · CC BY-SA ↗Emperor Shah Alam Bahadur (Bahadur Shah I, rEmperor Shah Alam Bahadur (Bahadur Shah I, rLACMA, Los Angeles · photo Paul F. Walter (M.74.123.5) (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Bahadur ShahBahadur ShahWellcome Collection ↗Raja Bikram Singh of Guler smoking a hookahRaja Bikram Singh of Guler smoking a hookahc. 1678–90 · Northern India, Pahari kingdoms, Himachal PradeshCleveland Museum of Art ↗Portret van Dara Shikoh, de oudste zoon van Shah JahanPortret van Dara Shikoh, de oudste zoon van Shah Jahan1686Rijksmuseum (via Europeana) ↗Guru Gobind Singh mixing nectar for his disciples at the birth of KhalsaGuru Gobind Singh mixing nectar for his disciples at the birth of KhalsaWellcome Collection ↗Painting of Guru Gobind Singh seated leaning against a bolster on a terrace with a…Painting of Guru Gobind Singh seated leaning against a bolster on a terrace with a…Central Sikh Museum, Amritsar · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Guru Gobind Singh on horseback with entourageGuru Gobind Singh on horseback with entourageWikimedia Commons ↗Sri Gobind Singh on horseback with his falcon and attendants.Sri Gobind Singh on horseback with his falcon and attendants.Wellcome Collection (via Europeana) · CC BY ↗Dasaratha and RamaDasaratha and Ramaca. 1690 - ca. 1700 · Kulu© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗A Portrait, circa 1700 CE, Rajasthani School of Art, Lahore Museum, Pakistan H-15A Portrait, circa 1700 CE, Rajasthani School of Art, Lahore Museum, Pakistan H-15Lahore Museum · photo SpeakingArch (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA ↗Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, circa 1700 Alternate Title: Aftaba Furnishings;…Pakistan, Lahore, Mughal empire, circa 1700 Alternate Title: Aftaba Furnishings;…LACMA, Los Angeles · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Cannon of Guru Gobind Singh, Anandpur Saheb, Punjab 1700 AD Govt Museum ChandigarhCannon of Guru Gobind Singh, Anandpur Saheb, Punjab 1700 AD Govt Museum ChandigarhGovernment Museum, Chandigarh · photo Deepank Ranka (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY ↗Maharaja Sidh Sen Receiving an Embassy, including Guru Gobind Singh in 1701. "History…Maharaja Sidh Sen Receiving an Embassy, including Guru Gobind Singh in 1701. "History…The Met, New York · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Asavari RaginiAsavari Raginica. 1700 - ca. 1710 · Kulu© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Kuntala RagaKuntala Ragaca. 1700 - ca. 1710 · Kulu© Victoria and Albert Museum, London ↗Painting depicting the Battle of Khidrana (later known as the Battle of Muktsar)Painting depicting the Battle of Khidrana (later known as the Battle of Muktsar)Government Museum, Chandigarh · photo Wikimedia Commons (Wikimedia Commons) ↗Raja Dilip Singh of Guler on a daisRaja Dilip Singh of Guler on a daisc. 1707 · Northern India, Pahari kingdomsCleveland Museum of Art ↗

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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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