Category Archives: Uncategorized

Pakistan has formally nominated former US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, crediting his “decisive diplomatic engagement and pivotal leadership” during the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis.

According to official statements from Islamabad, Trump’s intervention was instrumental in defusing heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, ultimately preventing a full-scale war that could have had catastrophic regional consequences.

The nomination was publicly announced on the Pakistani government’s verified social media accounts, where officials emphasized Trump’s “strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship” in engaging both Islamabad and New Delhi at a critical moment.

The crisis reportedly began following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, which resulted in significant casualties and a sharp escalation of cross-border hostilities. Pakistan described India’s actions as “unprovoked and unlawful aggression,” alleging a violation of its sovereignty and the loss of civilian lives.

In response, Islamabad launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, which it characterised as a “measured and precise military response” aimed at restoring deterrence while minimising harm to civilians. As tensions threatened to spiral out of control, Pakistan claimed that Trump’s “back-channel diplomacy” played a decisive role in de-escalating the situation and brokering a ceasefire.

Islamabad’s statement lauded Trump as a “genuine peacemaker,” highlighting his commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue. The Pakistani government also acknowledged Trump’s repeated offers to mediate the Kashmir dispute, viewing his involvement as a “sincere commitment to durable peace in South Asia.” The statement stressed that lasting peace in the region would remain elusive without a resolution to the Kashmir issue in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

However, the Indian government has categorically denied any external intervention in the truce talks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent phone call with Trump, reiterated that discussions were held at Islamabad’s request and that no other nation was involved. India’s foreign ministry has consistently maintained its long-standing position against third-party mediation in its bilateral disputes with Pakistan.

Despite these denials, Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for brokering peace between India and Pakistan, asserting that his efforts were crucial in averting a potential war. He has also expressed frustration over not being recognised for his diplomatic interventions in other global conflicts, stating, “They won’t give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals”.

The nomination comes shortly after Trump hosted Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir, at the White House—a rare meeting that followed the four-day military flare-up. Munir had previously advocated for Trump’s Nobel nomination, crediting him with averting a potential nuclear confrontation between India and Pakistan. The White House confirmed the meeting and Munir’s praise for Trump’s role in calming tensions.

While Pakistan has lauded Trump’s diplomatic intervention as pivotal in preventing war, India has firmly rejected the notion of any external mediation, emphasising that the ceasefire resulted from direct bilateral engagement. The nomination underscores the divergent narratives regarding the resolution of the crisis and highlights the ongoing geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the India-Pakistan relationship.

Agencies

Says Operation Sindoor a shining example of restraint and balance displayed by armed forces that were attained by practising yoga

Appreciating the inclination of the armed forces personnel towards Yoga, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said its practice prepares a soldier physically and mentally and makes him battle-ready.

Singh led a mass yoga demonstration on the occasion of International Day of Yoga at northern command headquarters here, performing various asanas and breathing exercises with 2,500 soldiers.

The event was joined by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma.

Yoga sessions were also performed at numerous forward locations in the challenging terrain of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, showcasing the commitment and enthusiasm of the soldiers.

The Defence Minister appreciated the inclination of the armed forces personnel towards yoga which, he said, had a direct impact on their discipline and focus.

“Yoga prepares a soldier physically and mentally and its benefits can be seen in the battlefield,” he said, encouraging the soldiers to continue practising it daily.

In his address to the troops, he termed yoga as a universal solution to the problems faced by people in today’s fast-paced world such as stress, anxiety and depression.

“Yoga gives clarity to people in chaos. It is an art, a science, a philosophy, and spirituality. Those who practice yoga in their daily lives have control over their body and mind. It makes us proactive, not reactive,” he said.

Describing Operation Sindoor as a shining example of that control, the defence minister said Indian Armed Forces displayed restraint, balance and precision during the operation, which is a reflection of their inner strength attained by practising yoga.

This year’s theme for the International Day of Yoga is ‘One Earth, One Health’.

He said, “The whole world is a family and working for it is a part of our thinking. Yoga is a practical expression of this thinking, it is silently changing the world and every citizen should be proud of the fact that India’s ancient tradition is being recognised and accepted globally.”

Donald Trump’s proposed $175 billion Golden Dome missile defence system is the most ambitious U.S. missile shield initiative since Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), known as “Star Wars”.

The plan envisions a multi-layered shield using hundreds of satellites equipped with sensors and interceptors—potentially including space-based lasers—to detect and destroy incoming ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles from adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.

Comparison To Reagan’s Star Wars (SDI)

Like SDI, Golden Dome aims to intercept missiles at all stages of flight, including the “boost phase,” which is technically the most challenging. Reagan’s SDI was ultimately abandoned after years of investment due to insurmountable technical and financial hurdles, as the necessary technology did not exist at the time and remains highly challenging today. Critics have drawn direct parallels between the two projects, noting that while technology has advanced, the scale and complexity of defending the entire U.S. from advanced missile threats is vastly greater than the regional defence provided by systems like Israel’s Iron Dome.

Technical And Strategic Challenges

Scale And Complexity: The U.S. is far larger than Israel, making nationwide coverage exponentially more difficult. The Iron Dome was designed for short-range, low-volume threats, whereas Golden Dome must counter long-range, high-speed, and manoeuvrable threats (ICBMs, hypersonic glide vehicles, and orbital systems).

Technological Hurdles: Intercepting missiles in the boost phase requires rapid detection and response, which is extremely difficult given the short window and the speeds involved. Many proposed technologies, such as space-based lasers, remain unproven at scale.

Cost And Timeline: The Congressional Budget Office estimates a truly comprehensive missile shield could cost over $500 billion across two decades, far exceeding Trump’s $175 billion, three-year plan. Cost overruns and delays are likely, as seen with past missile defence programs.

Strategic Risks: Deploying such a system could accelerate an arms race, prompting adversaries to develop new offensive capabilities to overwhelm or evade the shield, further destabilizing global security.

Expert Consensus

Most independent experts and analysts believe the Golden Dome is unlikely to achieve its stated goals. The technical, financial, and strategic obstacles mirror those that doomed the SDI; despite advances, the fundamental challenges of intercepting sophisticated, high-speed missile threats over a vast area remain unresolved. Even if partial capabilities are fielded, the system is expected to fall short of comprehensive protection and may provoke adversaries to escalate their own weapons programs.

“The plan for an advanced missile defence shield over the US offers no guarantee of success and risks undermining global security… Like the Golden Dome, the SDI proposed a layered defence system that would rely on cutting-edge, and largely untested, technologies… But despite years of investment, the SDI never produced a workable system and was eventually cancelled, exposing the gap between ambition and capability that still exists today.”

Conclusion

Trump’s Golden Dome missile shield faces the same insurmountable challenges as Reagan’s Star Wars: unproven technology, immense cost, and the near-impossibility of reliably defending the entire U.S. from advanced missile threats. History and technical realities suggest the plan is bound to fall short of its ambitions, just as SDI did decades ago.

IDN

A high-level Indian defence delegation, led by Joint Secretary and Acquisition Manager (Maritime Systems) Dinesh Kumar, met with French defence officials at the Paris Air Show, marking a pivotal moment in India-France defence cooperation.

The French side was headed by Lt Gen Gael Diaz De Tuesta, Director General of Armament. This meeting officially launched the Rafale Marine program, a significant step in India’s efforts to strengthen its naval strike capabilities.

The Rafale Marine fighter jet, specifically designed for aircraft carrier operations, will complement the Indian Air Force’s existing fleet of Rafale jets, thereby enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational reach and flexibility in maritime domains.

Simultaneously, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi participated in the 12th Key Leader Engagement, hosted virtually by US Navy’s Pacific Fleet Admiral Stephen T. Koehler.

This strategic forum brought together leaders from 19 nations, where Admiral Tripathi articulated his vision for “achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology”.

He emphasised the critical role of advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and secure communications—in ensuring robust maritime security and operational superiority for the Indian Navy.

Admiral Tripathi also addressed the evolving nature of warfare, highlighting the enduring importance of non-contact warfare, including drones, loitering munitions, and the growing need for effective counter-drone systems, which were not a focus a decade ago.

Further reinforcing India’s commitment to indigenous defence capabilities, Admiral Tripathi visited Solar Industries India Ltd’s headquarters in Nagpur, accompanied by Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal. 

He reviewed the manufacturing processes of various defence products, including drones, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and the Bhargavastra Counter-Unmanned Aerial System. Admiral Tripathi praised the progress made by the private sector and underscored the necessity for synergy between public and private sectors in India’s defence ecosystem, given the latter’s relatively recent entry into defence production.

The demonstration of advanced indigenous technologies, such as long-range missiles and counter-drone systems, reflects India’s drive towards self-reliance and innovation in defence manufacturing.

Collectively, these developments—formalising the Rafale Marine program, advancing multilateral maritime security cooperation, and fostering indigenous technological innovation—underscore India’s strategic focus on enhancing its naval capabilities and securing its interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Based On ANI Report

In a significant escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that it had targeted and struck Iranian missile crews preparing to launch attacks on Israeli territory.

According to reports, Israeli Air Force (IAF) jets conducted overnight operations during which they located and destroyed three surface-to-surface missile launchers that were being readied for imminent assaults on Israel. The IDF stated that these launchers were expected to be used in the multiple missile barrages that were fired across Israel throughout Friday.

Simultaneously, IDF drones identified a group of Iranian soldiers, including a commander from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who was reportedly responsible for at least 15 missile launchers.

As these soldiers prepared to fire additional missiles, the IAF targeted and eliminated the group, resulting in the death of the IRGC commander. These precision strikes were part of Israel’s broader efforts to neutralize Iran’s missile capabilities and prevent further barrages against Israeli cities.

Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict had direct repercussions for civilians and cultural heritage in Israel. An Iranian missile strike in downtown Haifa caused significant damage to the historic Al Jarina Grand Mosque, a landmark originally built in 1775 and expanded in 1901.

The missile’s shockwave shattered stained glass windows and damaged parts of the mosque’s infrastructure. Due to security advisories against public gatherings, only 15 worshippers were present for Friday prayers instead of the usual 200.

Fortunately, Friday prayers had concluded before the missile hit, and the mosque was empty at the time. One person sustained minor injuries outside the mosque. Khaled Dagash, a representative of the Wakf, confirmed that the mosque was under renovation and expressed concerns about whether government compensation would cover the full cost of repairs.

Nearby, the Masjid Al-Saghir, built in 1761, also suffered damage, with windows blown out, though no further visible destruction was reported as security personnel cordoned off the area. The attack drew condemnation from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who emphasised that Iran’s actions endangered Israelis of all faiths, including Muslims. Herzog highlighted Haifa’s multicultural character, describing the city as a symbol of coexistence among Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Circassians, and Baha’is.

These developments unfolded amid a broader context of escalating military exchanges between Israel and Iran, with both sides carrying out strikes and counter strikes involving missiles and drones.

The IDF’s recent operations underscore Israel’s determination to disrupt Iran’s missile infrastructure and defend its civilian population, while the damage to historic mosques in Haifa underscores the far-reaching impact of the conflict on cultural heritage and interfaith relations within Israel.

Based On ANI Report

Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Amarjit Singh Dulat has publicly commended Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump.

In an exclusive interview with Geo News at King’s College, London, Dulat described the luncheon between Munir and Trump as a significant breakthrough for Pakistan, noting the event’s importance in the context of US-Pakistan relations. He congratulated both Munir and the people of Pakistan, emphasizing that such high-level engagements are rare and represent a major diplomatic achievement for Islamabad.

Dulat used the occasion to advocate for further diplomatic overtures, suggesting that Munir should now visit India and meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, followed by a visit to Amritsar. Drawing on historical precedent, Dulat recalled Modi’s 2015 visit to Pakistan to attend the wedding of Nawaz Sharif’s granddaughter, arguing that such gestures can help soften entrenched hardlines.

He stressed that, given the current frozen state of India-Pakistan relations—especially after the recent four-day conflict—initiatives from either side could pave the way for improved ties. Dulat remarked, “Someone needs to bowl first. Imran Khan is in jail. The Field Marshal or Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif can do that”.

The former intelligence chief highlighted the significance of Munir’s over two-hour luncheon at the White House, which included a visit to the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office. Dulat described this as a “major development” and urged that if such meetings can happen in Washington, they should also be possible in Delhi. He expressed hope that Munir’s engagement with Trump could serve as a model for India and Pakistan to resume direct dialogue.

Dulat also reflected on his personal experiences, noting that he is the only Indian intelligence chief to have visited Pakistan four times post-retirement, between 2010 and 2012. He praised Pakistani hospitality and recounted his friendship with former ISI chief General Asad Durrani, underscoring the potential for personal relationships to bridge divides.

Addressing the recent conflict, Dulat acknowledged that while there is no direct evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam terror attack, suspicion remains strong in India. He described India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor—targeted strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir—as a necessary, measured response, but reiterated his belief that war between India and Pakistan must be avoided.

Dulat advocated for direct talks between the two countries, emphasizing that diplomatic engagement is the only viable path forward.

AS Dulat’s remarks reflect a pragmatic and hopeful approach to India-Pakistan relations. He views Munir’s US visit as an opportunity for further diplomatic progress and calls for reciprocal gestures to thaw bilateral ties, stressing the importance of dialogue and peaceful engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Based On ANI Report

Operation Sindoor sent a powerful message to terrorists and their patrons that a ‘new India’ is assertive, resolute and will no longer be a victim of terrorism, but will respond with strength and strategy, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said interacting with soldiers at the Army’s Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur.

“I want to tell to my neighboring country that Operation Sindoor is not over yet. This is just a pause,” he stated. The Minister reached the military station today and is there to take part in the Yoga Day celebrations tomorrow.Rajnath commended the precision, coordination and courage of the armed forces and intelligence agencies in destroying terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, asserting that India’s change in policy towards terrorism is a result of this unmatched valour and dedication.

He said Operation Sindoor as not just a military action, but a warning to the terrorists across the border and those who support them that India will no longer tolerate terrorism and give a befitting reply if its unity and integrity is harmed.

At a dinner for troops, Rajnath urged the personnel to keep focusing on physical and mental well-being, underlining the importance of strength and wellness in a soldier’s life. “If you are strong, our borders will be strong. When the borders are strong, India will be strong,” he said.

A cultural programme comprising khukri dance, bhangra, kalari pattu and jhanz patak was also organised as part of the event. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and the Northern Army commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma were also present.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has said that while China supported Pakistan with satellite imagery and military equipment, it did not take an active part in the recent skirmish with India.

Speaking in a podcast with a news agency, Singh was asked about reports of Chinese military and diplomatic officials being present in Pakistani war rooms. He responded, “Collusion, yes — in terms of equipment, supplies, perhaps satellite imagery as well — all that probably could have happened. But definitely, they (the Chinese) did not play an active role.”

He added, “It is clear there was no direct support from them, but yes, in terms of equipment… Pakistanis don’t have many resources, so they obviously rely on begging or borrowing from Turkey or China.”

On India-China relations, Singh said the two countries must strike a delicate balance — maintaining diplomatic engagement while remaining militarily vigilant. “Trust is low, but we should be cautiously optimistic because they (China) have also shown interest in dialogue as a mode of dispute resolution,” he said, adding that conversations are ongoing at the Special Representative (SR) level. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are the SRs on either side.

Commenting on the ceasefire process with Pakistan, Singh clarified, “It was Pakistan that capitulated on May 10. They came forward asking for time, seeking talks and eventually requested cessation of hostilities. That sequence should be clear — they were the ones who asked for the ceasefire.”

He noted that transcripts and records of discussions between the two Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) are available to support this account.

On Pakistan army chief Filed Marshal Asim Munir’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, Singh remarked, “It must be an embarrassment for any country when the military chief is invited while the Prime Minister is nowhere to be seen. It’s a very strange, structurally imbalanced state.”

Regarding Operation Sindoor, Singh said, “The operation was marked by excellent tri-service synergy and strong coordination with intelligence agencies. We achieved 100 per cent of our objectives.”

Israel’s action against Iran can only be assessed as being a dangerous and reckless act of aggression that poses danger to the region and the world

Manoj Joshi

ON March 26, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told a House committee that the American intelligence community “continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme leader Khomeini (sic) has not authorised the nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2003.”

Yet on June 13, Israel launched what it claims was a “pre-emptive” attack to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. Israel’s action can only be assessed as being a dangerous and reckless act of aggression that poses danger to the region and the world. Iran does not have the most savoury regime running it; nor does Israel, and it most certainly does not have the right to attack Iran.

As he contemplates joining the war, US President Donald Trump has rudely brushed aside the US intelligence assessment and embraced the Israeli view that Iran had been very close to making a nuclear weapon when the war began.

Israel’s war aims are to destroy Iran’s nuclear capacity and effect regime change. Neither is an easy task. Last week, in the wake of the Israeli attacks, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak told Christiane Amanpour on CNN that Israel alone cannot delay the nuclear programme of Iran by a significant time period. “Probably several weeks… a month… Even the US cannot delay them by more than a few months,” he said.

Current assessments are that besides destroying Iran’s air defence system, Israel has severely damaged the principal nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz as well as the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre, while the Arak Nuclear Complex remains largely undamaged, as does the Parchin military complex which stores centrifuges and uranium. Israel has not targeted the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant over worries of nuclear radiation leaks.

Importantly, no significant damage is reported as yet to the deeply buried Fordow fuel enrichment plant, which is said to be invulnerable to conventional strikes. This facility is crucial because it can quickly enrich Iran’s stock of 60 per cent enriched uranium to 90 per cent required for one weapon in a week. Iran reportedly possesses 408.6 kg of enriched uranium as of May 2025 and estimates are that this could be sufficient to make nine nuclear weapons in the coming weeks if enriched further.

Fordow would need US involvement in the form of the massive ordnance air blast bomb (MOAB) that Israel does not possess. Besides, Iran has had two decades to spread out its programme and build other deeply buried ultra-secure sites such as the one in the Pickaxe mountain south of Natanz, which is deeper and better protected than the one in Fordow.

Kinetic means alone cannot destroy the Iranian programme. That would require a ground invasion. That is where the US role, which has so far been curious, comes in. The Israeli strikes came amidst US-Iran talks on building down the nuclear programme. After saying that the US would not be involved, President Trump now wants Iran to settle things on his terms — the principal demand being an “unconditional surrender” by Iran. Looking back, one wonders whether the war on Iran was always a US-Israeli venture.

American involvement could widen the war and trigger Iranian missile attacks on its facilities in the Persian Gulf region in Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Iraq and Syria, in addition to facilities in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. A shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 25 per cent of the world’s oil is shipped, could see an escalation of oil prices beyond $100 a barrel, triggering global inflation.

The US needs to weigh its options carefully. Destroying Iran’s facilities and effecting regime change are one thing. Replacing it with a democratic setup quite another. Recall America’s disastrous experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan that have roiled the region for the past 25 years. Having spent tens of trillions of dollars on wars in the region, the US is now on the brink of yet another, this time with a larger and better organised country.

This is a fraught moment. The demand for unconditional surrender and regime change could push Iran to actually fabricate a nuclear weapon. Israel has telegraphed its intentions for so long that Iran has had sufficient time to establish other secret facilities for its military programme. A nuclear breakout could have Israel and the US resorting to nuclear weapons strikes to prevent Iranian deployment. Any use of nuclear weapons would be catastrophic for the region and the world.

The primary trigger for the Iranian nuclear weapons programme has not been Israel. It was the 1980-1988 war following the invasion of the country by Iraq, an action that was aided by the US. Iraq’s use of chemical weapons and missile attacks on Iranian cities found little international reaction. So from the mid-1980s, Iran began its military nuclear programme.

Iran’s strategy was to develop its nuclear cycle — mining, processing and enriching uranium — to deter adversaries. But the fate of neighbouring Iraq following the US invasion in 2003 hardened the Iranian conviction that there would be no guarantee for its security in the absence of nuclear weapons. The subsequent experience of North Korea only deepened this perception.

Iran is a resource-rich country of over 90 million people, some two-thirds the size of India. It has a strong sense of history and nationhood. As is in the case of Iraq, the US and Israel could well succeed in wreaking a lot of destruction on the country and possibly even effecting regime change, but you can be sure that this will not be the end of the story.

Manoj Joshi is Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, Delhi.

LONDON LETTER: Inside a hall, scholars, spiritual teachers, and educators have come together under theme ‘Unpacking Gurmat Education’

Harmeet Shah Singh

It’s a typical Saturday at the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) complex on Soho Road in Birmingham. Families arriving in waves, the ‘langar’ being served with care, and the gurdwara resonating with the sounds of Gurbani. Yet the day carries a deeper resonance.

Inside a hall, scholars, spiritual teachers, and educators have come together under the theme “Unpacking Gurmat Education”.

The dialogue reflects a shared vision between GNNSJ, led by Bhai Sahib (Dr) Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG, and The Kalgidhar Trust of Baru Sahib, under Dr Davinder Singh.

The partnership is rooted in a simple but powerful idea, that education should build not just minds, but

A side room full of history

As the discussion unfolds, a smaller, adjacent hall catches my eye. A bold banner marked Sarkar-e-Khalsa of Maharaja Ranjit Singh stands at its entrance, inviting curiosity. Inside, I meet Ravinder Pal Singh Kohli, a UK-based Sikh whose voice carries the lilt of old Rawalpindi.

He introduces himself as the curator, but more than that, he is the inheritor. This exhibition is not a public archive. It is personal history, passed down from his great-grandparents in Rawalpindi, now in Pakistan. What he has assembled under his Global Sikh Vision non-profit and under the patronage of Bhai Sahib reveals a beautifully presented, moving experience.

A journey through coins, from 1469 to 1849

The room is filled with glass cases containing Sikh currency from Guru Nanak Sahib’s time to the British annexation of Punjab in 1849. Each coin, each shell, is a relic of a larger moment.

Among the rarities

Copper coins reflecting the denomination Guru Nanak Sahib used for his 20-rupee Sacha Sauda, marking the beginning of langar

Silver pieces tied to Makhan Shah Lubana, who discovered Guru Tegh Bahadar at Baba Bakala in 1664

Gold mohurs from the early 1700s used to buy land for the cremation of the Chhote Sahibzade after their martyrdom in Sirhind

Coins issued under bounty orders, including those minted during Lahore governor Mir Mannu’s brutal repression of Sikhs in the mid-1700s

Each artefact is labelled with dates and context. Some bear images of traditional weapons — Khanda, Katar, Kirpan — etched not for war-glorification, but as reflections of self-defence during times of survival. Others are marked with inscriptions like Sat and Akal Sahai, truth and divine support.

Many early coins are in Farsi, but later issues begin to feature Gurmukhi, hinting at a growing public embrace of the Sikh script. Remarkably, some coins also include symbols from non-Sikh communities, a quiet nod to Punjab’s pluralism under the Sikh leadership.

When metal becomes memory

The collection is much more than numismatics. It’s a journey through resistance, identity, and everyday life.

What stood out, too, was the care with which Kohli has preserved and presented the collection structured into historical phases:

From the Gurus (1469–1708)

To the early Sikh rule of Baba Banda Singh Bahadar (1710–1716)

Through the Misl period preceding Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule

Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule (1799–1849)

Values, then and now

While the conference a hall away explored how the Guru’s teachings can inform the future of education, this exhibition complemented that conversation.

In one room, they spoke of teaching children the Guru’s path. In another, I saw how that path once moved through every marketplace, every act of courage, and through every coin in a pilgrim’s pocket.

(The writer is a career journalist currently serving as Communications and Advocacy Director at UNITED SIKHS (UK), a charity registered in England and Wales.)