Over Seas

London to host exhibition on role of Sikhs during World War I

July 4, 2014 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

London, United Kingdom (June 04, 2014): It is learnt that UK Punjab Heritage Association (UKPHA) shall hold an exhibition to commemorate the remarkable, but largely forgotten contribution and experiences of Sikh soldiers, as well as the families they left behind in the World War I.

According to information the exhibition titled “Empire, Faith and War: The Sikhs and World War One” will be held at the Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Russell Square, from July 9 to September 28.

It will be the launch event of a three year project to reveal the untold story of how one of the world’s smallest communities played a disproportionately large role in the war to end all wars.

Between 2014-16 UKPHA’s “Empire, Faith & War” project will commemorate the Sikh contribution and will include the creation of a documentary film, a commemorative publication, education packs for schools, and a mini touring exhibition.

A core aspect of the project will be the database of soldiers’ and families’ stories which will be created with the help of the community in the role of “Citizen Historians”.

The story of Sikhs in WWI will be told through original artefacts including unpublished photographs and drawings, newspapers and comics, postcards, stunning works of art, uniforms, gallantry medals, and folk songs sung by the wives left at home.

It will also feature:

* a cinema zone featuring rare archive film footage including of the first Sikh fighter pilot
* sound recordings of Sikh POWs captured on the Western Front
* The Trench kids’ activity zone and a Wall of Remembrance
* a pre-story section including original artefacts from the days of the Sikh Empire
* a series of associated Sunday Symposiums featuring expert speakers.

The exhibition will be open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., besides till 8 p.m. on Thursday.

It will be closed on Mondays and bank holidays. It will be closed on August 3. Admission is free.

There are approximately 27 million Sikhs worldwide, of which some 423,000 live in the UK (2012 Census).

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Related Topics: Sikhs in United Kingdom, United Kingdom, World War I

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