A silver seal made for Raja Randhir Singh, Maharaja of Kapurthala (reg. 1852-1870) North India, dated VS 1921/AD 1864-65


of slightly convex oval form, engraved with four lines of inscriptions in nastaliq on a ground of scrolling tendrils issuing lotuses and other flowers, the border with an undulating floral vine 9.6 x 7.2 cm.; 142g
|ProvenancePrivate UK CollectionRaja Randhir SinghInscriptions: 'The beloved child, the one who has firm trust in the English (British) Government, the Rajah of [all] rajas, Randhir Singh Bahador of Ahluwalia, Knight of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Governor of Kaputhala and Baundi and Bhiauli and Akunah 1921.'Raja Sir Randhir Singh (1831-1870) was the Maharaja of Kapurthala from 1852 until his death in 1870. On the 17th of October 1864, he was invested with the Insignia of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India for his support during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and was the first Punjab Prince to receive this honour from Queen Victoria. His father Raja Nihal Singh (Reg. 1836-1852) was a courtier of Ranjit Singh and a member of the Ahluwalia clan, one of the original Misls of the Sikh Confederacy.