THE SO CALLED ALI SINBADE KING OF LAHORE 1795 – FRENCH OFFICER CAPTAIN TRINQUART ACCOSTS HIM – A DYNAMIC SCENE FROM THE UNKNOWN PAST

THE SO CALLED ALI SINBADE KING OF LAHORE 1795
FRENCH OFFICER CAPTAIN TRINQUART ACCOSTS HIM
A DYNAMIC SCENE FROM THE UNKNOWN PAST

On 23rd June, 1838, the National Library of France added a PRINT to their register of prints in the library. The subject was a French Army Officer Captain Trinquart, and his disposition in India. He is being presented to the King of Lahore, whose name is given as King Ali Sinbade. Apparently the French Officer had been sent to India by General Napoleon Bonaparte. We do know that Napoleon Bonaparte had offered military support to Sultan of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, and had sent contingents there too. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769 and died in 1821. His reign in featured as from 1804 to 1814. Captain Trinquart period would be around that period. Tipu Sultan was born in 1750 and died in 1799. Captain Trinquart should be there in India from 1795 to 1799. Details are anybody’s guess.

Captain Trinquart meets King of Lahore 1795

Our concern is that the meeting of Captain Trinquart with the King of Lahore. Is it mere a legendary meeting or it is concerned with historical facts. We do know that the period of 1795 to 1799 is a period of acute disturbances in Lahore. The three Sikh Chieftains had captured Lahore, but to what degree, Actually nothing is very clearly known. Were there pockets of previous Muslim rule still there? Anybody’s guess. The name Ali Sinbade looks imaginary too. But the Print does not. The mosque at the back is very clearly of Lahori origin. More like the Badshahi Mosque Lahore. The King also looks very real as well as his subjects. Not one Sikh in the audience. All faces look Mughal. Even the dresses are more appropriate as well as the tent of the King. Contrary to many prints made in those days, there are features of reality here.

Napoleon Bonaparte 1804 1814

Our effort is to introduce unknown documentation of Lahore. If we do that, we feel successful. Obviously it is meant for research, but till then, it is also meant o be enjoyed as a missing chapter of Lahore.

We add details from the National library here:

… HAS yielded 3 references in the listings of prints and photographs of the newspaper Bibliography La France (1811-1881), ict predecessor General Journal of Prints and Libraries (Dec. 1810 to Sept. 1811), the registers of the legal deposit of prints , 1795-1811, and the surviving registers of prints and photographs which were refused authorization for publication prior to 1870. Copies of most Of the works of the National Library of France, where they may be discovered today. Please note:

ImofFr no. 28817.   Bibliog. Of 23 June 1838 , no. 533 – Beautiful actions of Captain Trinquart, n. 1 to 4, lithog. In Paris, at {Maezani}, rue de la Cité, n. 25.

AND

Tipu again made a proposal in October 1797 through Malartic, the Governor of Ile de France (Mauritius).[19] Malartic, who could not deplete his forces in Ile de France, sent a group of 150 volunteers in the frigate La Preneuse, on 7 March 1798.[20] La Preneuse arrived in Mangalore in April 1798.[21] A group of French officers numbering 124, under the Command of Michel Raymond, was also leading an army of 14,000 for the Nizam, Subhadar of the Deccan Ali Khan Asaf Jah II, but they were neutralized following British diplomatic intervention.[22]

AND

There exists a French cemetery in Harohalli, where the French who came to aid Tippu Sultan are buried. The beautiful cemetery is more than 250 years old, but sadly lies in a state of neglect, with most graves vandalised by the local people. The French soldiers and family members died either by malaria, fatigue or in battle. The land for the French cemetery was granted by Tippu Sultan. Only 35 graves exist at present and most of them in a bad state. The locals have vandalised the graves to remove the iron grills, bricks, metal plaques and expensive marble. Many graves are left without any headstone.[33]

Ali Sinbade King of Lahore 1795

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