Raja Sir Amar Singh, K.C.S.I.: a small but very good portrait

The 3½ x 2¾ ins [88 x 70 mm] portrait ia pasted to a piece of old card and probably dates fom the 1890s. Raja Sir Amar Singh, K.C.S.I. [c. 1864-1907] was a member of the ruling family of Jammu & Kashmir who served as Commander in Chief of the state’s armed forces. In this formal portrait he is shown bust length wearing elaborate court dress with jewels and many ropes of pearls. Rather outshone by these are the miniature British awards of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India and the Imperial Assemblage Medal marking the 1877 announcement in Delhi of the assumption by Queen Victoria of the title Empress of India. apr18/1