Col. James Skinner

Also known as Sikandar Sahib, Colonel James Skinner was a remarkable figure born to a Scottish soldier father and a Rajput mother. He left an indelible mark on history as a soldier, leader, and Persian writer. His Kitāb-i tashrīḥ al-aqvām is a literary marvel, seamlessly blending ethnography, biography, and topography. Illustrated by the skilled hands of Ghulam Ali Khan and other Delhi artists, the book unfolds a visual narrative of the diverse castes in the greater Punjab region, with 120 miniatures capturing the essence of Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim communities.