NAM.1960-08-164-1

‘Goorkhas rifling the dead Sikhs’, 1st Sikh War, 1846 (c). Watercolour by Ensign Bethune Donald Grant, 35th Bengal Light Infantry, 1846 (c). Verso, pencil drawing, ‘Down they go’ and officer of the 3rd Light Dragoons charging, sword in hand. Associated with the 1st Sikh War (1845-1846). The 4th Nusseree (Rifle) Battalion (later 1st Gurkhas) and the 6th (Sirmoor) Rifle Battalion (later 2nd Gurkhas) both distinguished themselves in the hard fought campaigns of the First Sikh War. They saw action in several battles, including the affairs at Aliwal (28 January 1846) and Sobraon (10 February 1846) in which no quarter was given or expected by either side.

1st Sikh War (1845-1846)