Posted on: 8 September 2013

Sikh woodcut depicting Shiva and Parvati with Nandi, Ganesh, Kartikkeya and a lion, from Lahore or Amritsar, about 1870.

Shiva and Parvati are shown seated, preparing 'bhang', with their animal vehicles before them. Ganesh is seated in front of them and Kartikkeya is climbing on the lion's back .

This example of a popular Sikh woodcut was collected at one of the local fairs or bazaars by John Lockwood Kipling while he was director from 1875 to 1893 of the Mayo School of Art at Lahore, in present-day north-east Pakistan. It was presented to the V&A in 1917 by his famous son, Rudyard. It depicts the Hindu god Shiva and his consort, Parvati, seated beneath a tree preparing 'bhang', with their animal vahanas or vehicles in front of them. The elephant-headed god Ganesh is also seated in front of them, and the god Kartikkeya is climbing on the lion’s back. Such woodcuts were made by Sikhs for tourists or pilgrims and this example was clearly intended specifically for Hindu pilgrims.

Copyright: © V&A Images


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Thats not Opium its preparing a drn k of milk Thandai with bhang . nice Pic

In Persian script, it says "Goharan" - I suppose another name of Shivaji.

The delightful tree in the background appears to have eyes and a smile.

It wasn't intended for Hindu pilgrims. Early Sikhs, and even today many Sikhs worship Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Such depictions even adorned Gurudwaras until very recently. Early Sikh flags even had Hindu Gods on them and the present symbol of the Khanda used among Sikhs today is a symbol of Durga predating Sikhism. This concept of completely separating the Hindu and Sikh communities was introduced by the British and begun to show its evil fangs in 1921. Early Sikh practices and beliefs are once again being studied. A recent book written by two Sikh authors also looks into this, the name of the book is something like "in the master's presence, the Sikhs of hazoor sahib. Another book about Maharaja Ranjit Singh, written by a descendant of a muslim minister in the maharaja's court also clearly states this. The Real Ranjit Singh, published by Punjab University. Then there is all the info in my own family about the royals of patiala and Nabha. Sikh got married by Hindu tradition right up until Bhai Kahn Singh of Nabha created the new Sikh marriage ceremony. The present day Akalistanis were the ones who worked with the British against the Sikh empire and Sikh kingdoms.

Punjabi style.. very nice!!

Also the name of the Golden temple is Harmandir Sahib. Where Har is Shiva and Mandir is temple. Thus it must have been an ancient sacred site of Shiva worship. Also the late Dr McLeod wrote that Sikhs have always been great devotees of both Durga and Shiva. Bhang is used by Nihangs. And Deh Vo Shiva is a Shabid written by Guru Gobind Singh for Durga.

Not opium, bhang.

Thank you. Error corrected.

also one more correction: its not Goddess Kartikkeya. God instead one more evidence, Sikhism is still part of Sanatana Dharma, where the Sikhs are considered as the arakshakas of the Dharma. They were formed of the best men who could fight for saving the nation from multiple loots and also safeguard Sanatana dharma. Apart from the Jagad gurus who cleared minds of common men, Sikhs are the only ones who are considered as Saviours of the Sanatana Dharma

Text on the painting is Persian script which was more common then.