The Sikh Empire Series Triple Weighted Wooden Handmade Chess Pieces in Genuine Ebony Wood and Indian Boxwood - 4.5" King with Extra Queens

The Sikh Empire, or Khalsa Raaj, was established in the Punjab region from 1799 to 1849, covering parts of present-day India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China. It was founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, in response to the injustice and cruelty of the Mughal Empire.

Dal Khalsa Period and The Empire:In August 1708, Guru Gobind Singh renamed Madho Das as Banda Singh Bahadur to reclaim Punjab from the Mughals. Captured in 1716 while defending his fort, Banda Singh was executed for refusing to convert to Islam. From 1716 to 1799, Punjab endured turmoil, filled by the Sikh misls and later unified under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Sikh Empire expanded from Punjab to the Khyber Pass, Kashmir, Sindh, and Tibet. In 1799, Ranjit Singh moved the capital from Gujranwala to Lahore.

The Khanda: The King finial is inspired by the double-edged sword of the Sikh Khanda symbol (not to be confused with the Emblem of Iran). Derived from the Sanskrit word "khaḍga," meaning "to break, divide, cut, destroy," the King stands at 4.5 inches with a 1.9-inch base and two beautiful finials. Changing the finials is quick and easy. This luxury design showcases the robust, solitary knight.

A piece of art: Handcrafted in India by the skilled Sikh carvers of Amritsar, whose ancestors were part of Punjab's Golden Era, this chess set reflects exceptional craftsmanship. Our expert carvers have paid close attention to every detail, bringing the pieces as close to history as possible. The result is a magnificent design and masterpiece that any connoisseur will admire.

Chess Pieces Weight: 2126 grams (74.99 oz). Please note that the weight in the set is added manually so the final weight of the set can vary by plus or minus (±) 10%.

The dark chess pieces are made from luxurious ebony wood, known for its fine texture, deep luster, and total blackness. The opposing pieces are crafted from antiqued boxwood, which is easy to work with and highlights intricate details. The knights are meticulously carved, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of our Indian artisans.

Uniformity of pieces: The turned pieces, especially the pawns, are shaped using metal profiles, ensuring uniformity. However, slight variations may occur in hand-carved or hand-cut pieces, such as the knights.

Weights: 2126 grams (74.99 oz). Please note that the weight in the set is added manually so the final weight of the set can vary by plus or minus (±) 10%.

Felts: Thick green felt precisely envelops the base of each chessmen.

In-Box items: Retail package consists of 34 chessmen, 2 extra queens included.