A new exhibition on display at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre that explores the close historical links between the Battle of Bosworth and the beginnings of the Sikh faith in Punjab has received hundreds of visitors since opening in April.
‘Medieval Women Forging the Way: Influential Women of the Sikh World and Beyond’ was brought to life thanks to Leicestershire County Council’s Culture Leicestershire team and Sikh women’s group, The Sikh Women in History Project. It is on display now in the temporary exhibition space at the Heritage Centre.
While much is known about the powerful women of the Wars of the Roses, which culminated in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, the group has used extensive research, stories and images to explore their medieval peers in Punjab and the paths they forged for generations of Sikh women around the world, which dates back to 1469.
Visitors to the exhibition can discover the stories of remarkable resilience, courage, and service throughout history, with ten portraits of Sikh women through history, created by the community.
There’s also a timeline to show what was happening in the world during significant points in history alongside a short film about the group’s work and objects to show the life stories of Sikh women.
People who visit the exhibition also have the opportunity to share their own reflections about inspirational women.
“I’ve loved being able to see this project come to life and parallels being drawn between two significant points in history. It really is a vibrant and interesting exhibition and I’d encourage people to head over to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to discover it for themselves.
“This is a great example of how Culture Leicestershire is working alongside local communities to delve into, share and explore different cultures and their heritage.
Person:Dr Kevin Feltham, former Chairman of Leicestershire County Council
Rachel Duffield, commissioned Creative Practitioner, said: "Sikh history is a new area to me, and I've been bowled over by the Community Curators' commitment to the project. Meeting these fantastic women, learning about their faith and history and creating the portrait of Sophia together has been a wonderful experience both personally and professionally."
Chief Superintendent Manjit Atwal, Leicestershire Police, said: “The exhibition has been put together really well by Sikh women. I actually felt quite emotional when I saw it because I just thought ‘how am I part of these amazing women in history?
She continued; “I have always thought the Sikh beliefs of equality, honesty, humility and ‘seva,’ which means service, are the same as the principals at the heart of policing and are the reasons for the success of my police career and my wider engagement across our diverse communities.”
The exhibition forms part of a wider ‘Sikh Herstories’ project, which sees Culture Leicestershire continue to work with local communities. The small temporary exhibition gallery at Bosworth Battlefield’s Heritage Centre offers a great opportunity for visitors to learn about local history and to show that British heritage is broader than people realise.
Several key figures attended the official exhibition opening including former Leicestershire County Council Chairman Dr Kevin Feltham along with members of the Bosworth Sikh’s Women’s Project such as Surinder Kaur and Gurpreet Kaur as well as participants in the exhibition including Chief Superintendent Manjit Atwal.
The exhibition runs until 31 October 2024 and is open in line with Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre’s opening times, daily 10am -5pm. Car parking charges apply.
Visit Culture Leicestershire for more information on their website.