@rosiehharte: Both feared and respected by her enemies, the Maharini Jind Kaur led armies against the British to defend the Sikh Empire on behalf of her son, the Maharaja Duleep Singh. When her armies were finally defeated in 1847, Jind Kaur was forced into exile, and the British took her jewels to ensure she would not have the funds to rally support. Her son was taken to England, made to convert to Christianity, and raised amongst high society. In 1861, Duleep Singh was able to negotiate for his mother to be allowed to come to England and that her jewels — and dignity — might be returned to her. He commissioned this portrait of her wearing those very jewels as a celebration of this moment. Both the portrait and earrings are on display at Kensington Palace as part of their current exhibition about the last Punjab Princesses! 📍 @Historic Royal Palaces #History #fashionhistory #19thcentury #kensingtonpalace

Rosie Harte

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Region: GB

Saturday 27 June 2026 19:12:59 GMT