‘The Khalsa Raj’ exhibition launches in the US

25 September 2012: Bridgewater, NJ – The Panjab Digital Library (PDL) is pleased to announce the launch of its first exhibition in USA, The Khalsa Raj: Banda, Battles & Body Politic. PDL is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the culture and history of Panjab, and sees this exhibit as a key opportunity to increase general awareness of the region in North America. In partnership with Garden State Sikh Association the exhibit will be on display at the Bridgewater Gurduara in New Jersey on 28 September from 1-8 pm EST, and on 29 September from 12:30-4:30pm EST.

“Celebrating the sovereign Sikh spirit under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur, this exhibition’s focus is on the digitized heritage of Panjab that elucidates interesting facets of a glorious era unfolding historical events,” said co-founder of PDL Harinder Singh

Spanning the years 1708-1716, the exhibit begins with Banda’s meeting with Guru Gobind Singh, and includes materials that illuminate major incidents, significant forts and paraphernalia. Quotes from contemporary sources are woven in throughout to bring to life the complete sequence of events as they occurred till Banda's martyrdom, according to Davinder Pal Singh, Executive Director of PDL.

The exhibition is a result of six months intensive work where the research team reviewed all material relevant to the period from PDL’s archives. A sampling of this material includes reproductions of unpublished contemporary letters in Marwari which demonstrate the impact Banda had on the psyche of the rulers at that time. Eyewitness accounts of the executions of the Sikhs and Banda are also to be presented along with paintings illustrating the events.