ੴSikh History

Artifact

Sikh turban helmet, Royal Armouries XXVIA.138

A steel helmet shaped to hold a turban and topknot, decorated with koftgari and patterned mail.[Arch][Web]

Date
Early nineteenth century
Held by
Royal Armouries
Location
Leeds, UK
Provenance
Documented
Status: Held
The Royal Armouries' own page (read 5 November 2026) gives the number and description. The Sikh Museum Initiative (5 July 2023) says a turban helmet is in the Oriental Gallery display with a 3D interactive. It was not confirmed that this is the same helmet.

The museum says it was probably made in Lahore or another Punjab centre to equip the forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The same 2023 project recreated a fortress turban and a decorated Lahore shield from the museum's Sikh collection.

See it online

  • Detail of a Sikh helmet with gold decoration

    Detail of a Sikh helmet of the early 1800s, shaped to take a turban and topknot, with gold overlay and patterned mail. Royal Armouries XXVIA.138.

    Royal Armouries, Early 19th century. Royal Armouries, XXVIA.138.CC BY 2.0. Source

Cite this page

"Sikh turban helmet, Royal Armouries XXVIA.138". Sikh History: lives of the Gurus. https://sikh-history.co.uk/artifacts/royal-armouries-turban-helmet/