From the amazing life of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, one of the most remarkable feats is that he employed many European and American foreigners in his service. After careful investigation, their number reaches 72. During the period of Khalsa rule, a celestial hustle bustle used to be seen in the streets and markets of Lahore. Where artists from every province of India were to be found, even the residents of almost all Europe, such as Italians, French, Greeks, Hungarians, foreigners, Prussians, Germans, Scotch, Austrians, Irish, Russians, Spanish, Portuguese, and Americans, dressed in the costumes of their own country and the attires of different nationalities, are found roaming around.
At some places French was spoken, at others Italian and German were spoken. Along with this, words in English and Portuguese, Persian and Pashto, etc. languages, used to attract the ears of the listeners. As if the Khalsa capital was a flower garden full of colorful flowers in which the meeting of the civilization of Europe and Asia was clearly visible.
Foreigners in the Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh by Prem Singh Hoti Mardan
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Lahore Publishers
Publication Date: 2025
Italian
General Ventura
Avitabile
Alwareen
Baeteek
Bianashi
French
General Allard
Ums-Musa Sahib
Court
Doctor Bent
Delafont
Younger Delafont
Delaroshi
Argond
American
Alexander Gardener
John Kanara
Dr Harlan
Hungarian
Dr Martin Honnigberger
Prussian
Barron D. Mevius
Austrian
German
British
James Sahib Firangi Gordon
Scottish
Irish
Russian
Spanish
Greek
Portuguese