Leicester, November 4 — The Sikh Museum Initiative (SMI) has completed a decade of bringing Sikh history to life through digital technology — marking ten years of pioneering work that has transformed how audiences experience Sikh heritage.
Founded by historian Gurinder Singh Mann, the initiative began as a community-led project with a simple goal: to connect younger generations with Sikh history using modern tools. Over the past decade, it has evolved into a globally recognised digital heritage platform, partnering with major institutions such as the Royal Armouries, Victoria and Albert Museum, and The National Trust, as well as several private collectors.
Through these collaborations, SMI has digitised rare artefacts associated with Guru Gobind Singh, Maharajah Ranjit Singh, and Maharani Jindan Kaur, allowing global audiences to explore Sikh relics online.
One of SMI’s early breakthroughs came with its 2016–17 exhibition “Anglo Sikh Wars: Battles, Treaties and Relics” at Leicester’s Newarke Houses Museum. It became the first Sikh exhibition to employ 3D technologies and virtual storytelling, offering visitors a deeper look at the conflict between the Sikh Empire and the British through digitised relics and immersive displays.
Technologist Taran Singh, who developed the 3D models, said the experience was deeply meaningful. “It was a privilege to bring Sikh history to life using 3D technologies,” he said. “These artefacts carry immense cultural and emotional significance, and digitising them ensures people who might never see them in person can still connect with them.”
Explaining these new technologies to audiences unfamiliar with virtual reality proved to be a challenge, said Mann. “At first, visitors were fascinated but cautious. Part of our work was educational — showing how VR and 3D scanning could transform museum engagement.”
Another major obstacle was accessing Sikh artefacts hidden within museum storage. Through persistent dialogue and partnerships, SMI convinced curators to open their archives, leading to the digital preservation of items never before seen by the public.
In 2023, SMI achieved another landmark by unveiling the UK’s first 3D Sikh installation at the Royal Armouries, featuring digital replicas of an Akali turban, shield, and metal helmet, merging historical interpretation with interactive design.
Beyond technology, SMI has also curated two Contemporary Sikh art exhibitions — in 2018 and 2024 — showcasing the works of global Sikh artists exploring tradition through modern creativity.
At its tenth-anniversary celebration at the University of Leicester, SMI reunited its collaborators, academics, and community partners to reflect on its journey and unveil new digitised artefacts. Mann said the next decade would continue “bridging past and future through interactive, digital experiences that preserve and share Sikh heritage.”
The digitised artefacts can be explored on the Anglo Sikh Virtual Museum platform (www.anglosikhmuseum.com), and the initiative can be reached at info@sikhmuseum.org.uk.
