New Community Exhibit at Museum of Surrey: "Lahore to London: A Journey of Chardi Kala"

Surrey, BC – A new community-led exhibit is now on display at the Museum of Surrey from February 6 to May 19, 2024. Lahore to London: A Journey of Chardi Kala invites visitors to learn about the heritage and identity of many in the Sikh diaspora.  

The exhibition showcases a selection of objects in the Wanjara Nomad collection that boasts over 1230 rare books, meticulously curated to illuminate the multifaceted history of the Sikh diaspora, the East India Company, and the British Empire. 

Featured on display are books and artifacts that include historical works like the “Annexation of the Punjab and the Maharajah Duleep Singh" (1882), “Punjab-Court and Camp of Runjeet Singh” (1840) which is a valuable historical account about Maharaja Runjeet Singh’s court and military camp during the Sikh empire, the “Personal scrapbook of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh,” and more.  

"The aim of this exhibit is preserving, learning and sharing in Chardi kala with fellow Canadians” said Raj Singh Bhandall, Curator of Wanjara Nomad Collections. “We are excited to have selections from this collection on display for Surrey residents. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the communities here in Surrey”, said Lynn Saffery, Museum Manager. 

Museum of Surrey invites the public to engage with this exhibit, gain insight into the intricate threads of Sikh history, and reflect on the diverse tapestry of Surrey's community. For more information about the exhibits and other Museum of Surrey programming, visit www.surrey.ca/museum.