A painting of Sikh Akali Warriors by Emily Eden, 1844 (http://www.warfare.netau.net/Moghul/19thC/1844-Akalees.htm)
(http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag197/druzhina345/Moghul/19/1844-Akalees_th.jpg)
The Akalis (a.k.a. "Akalees"), "Immortals" or "Timeless Ones," is a specific class of Sikh warrior. Renowned for their bravery and ferocity, as well as for their distinctive headgear and other accoutrements, the Akalis personified the Sikh ideal of military courage and heroism.
Akali soldiers were renowned in the 19th century for their valour in defending the Sikh kingdoms of Punjab.
Are the Aklis mentioned in any accounts of battles?
MIRROR SITES
A painting of Sikh Akali Warriors by Emily Eden, 1844 (http://warfare.6te.net/Moghul/19thC/1844-Akalees.htm)
A painting of Sikh Akali Warriors by Emily Eden, 1844 (http://www.warfare.meximas.com/Moghul/19thC/1844-Akalees.htm)
Druzhina
19th Century Indian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers (http://www.warfare2.likamva.in/Moghul/19thC/19thC_India.htm)
Good find.
Like that.
Cheers - Phil
I have added more images of Sikh Akali and their turbans (http://www.warfare.netau.net/Moghul/19thC/Akalis.htm):
Two Sikh Akalis, opaque watercolour on paper, Punjab Plain, c. 1840-1850 (http://www.warfare.netau.net/Moghul/19thC/1840-50-Two_Sikh_Akalis.htm)
Akali turban; cotton over a wicker frame, with quoits and other embellishments of steel overlaid with gold; Lahore, Pakistan; mid-19th century (http://www.warfare.netau.net/Moghul/19thC/Quoit_turban-1.htm)
Akali turban, with steel quoits; Sikh, Punjab, mid 19th century (http://www.warfare.netau.net/Moghul/19thC/Quoit_turban-2.htm)
Painting, Akali Sikhs, opaque watercolour on paper, Lahore, ca. 1850 (http://www.warfare.netau.net/Moghul/19thC/1850-Akali_Sikhs.htm)
Painting, An Akali Sikh seated near the Golden Temple, by William Carpenter (1818-99), watercolour on paper, Amritsar, Punjab, India, 1854. (http://www.warfare.netau.net/Moghul/19thC/1854-Akali_Sikh_by_Carpenter.htm)
MIRROR SITES
Sikh Akali warriors and their turbans, Punjab, mid 19th century (http://www.warfare2.likamva.in/Moghul/19thC/Akalis.htm)
Sikh Akali warriors and their turbans, Punjab, mid 19th century (http://www.warfare.uphero.com/Moghul/19thC/Akalis.htm)
Druzhina
19th Century Indian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers (http://www.warfare.uhostfull.com/Moghul/19thC/19thC_India.htm)
Great finds
Nice !!
I particularly like the two versions of the sorting hat from Harry Potter. ;)
Cheers - Phil