Sikh Museum Initiative marks 10 years of heritage and technology

The Sikh Museum Initiative (SMI) has marked a remarkable milestone — 10 years of pioneering work in bringing Sikh history and heritage to new audiences through digital technology. From its modest beginnings as a community-led project to becoming a respected national and international presence, SMI’s journey has been one of innovation, perseverance, and collaboration.

Founded by historian Gurinder Singh Mann, the initiative was born out of a desire to connect younger generations with Sikh heritage through modern means. Over the past decade, SMI has worked with leading museums, universities, and grassroots organisations, developing projects that merge scholarship with cutting-edge technology. Collaborations with institutions such as the Royal Armouries, Victoria and Albert Museum, The National Trust, as well as private collections allowing rare Sikh artefacts to be researched, digitised, and shared with the wider public in unprecedented ways.

One of the hallmarks of SMI’s work has been its exploration of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and 3D modelling to bring Sikh relics and historic spaces to life.

Working closely with technologist Taran Singh, a 3D developer, the team brought a range of Sikh relics into the digital realm, allowing audiences to interact with artefacts in ways never before possible.

The landmark exhibition “Anglo Sikh Wars: Battles, Treaties and Relics”, held between 2016 and 2017 at Newarke Houses Museum in Leicester, was the first Sikh exhibition to employ 3D technologies — enabling visitors to explore digitised relics and learn about the conflict between the Sikh Empire and the British through immersive digital storytelling. This groundbreaking approach laid the foundation for SMI’s later digital heritage projects.

Reflecting on his work with SMI, Taran Singh said, “It was a privilege to bring Sikh history to life using 3D technologies. These artefacts carry immense cultural and emotional significance, and by digitising them, we’ve helped make Sikh heritage accessible to people who might never see these treasures in person.”

However, as Gurinder Singh Mann point out, explaining these technologies to audiences unfamiliar with them posed unique challenges. “At first, visitors were fascinated but cautious,” said Mann. “Many had never experienced virtual heritage before, so part of our work was educational — helping people understand how VR or 3D scanning could transform museum engagement.”

Another major challenge has been gaining access to Sikh artefacts held within museums. Many of these collections are stored behind the scenes and not easily available for public display or research. Through persuasive dialogue, trust-building, and collaborative partnerships, SMI succeeded in working with museum curators to digitally document and interpret these items, allowing them to be seen by audiences across the world for the first time.

Technical hurdles were also significant. Creating accurate digital replicas of intricate artefacts demanded specialist equipment and expertise. The team faced challenges in ensuring historical accuracy while maintaining user-friendly design. Despite these complexities, the results have been transformative — offering immersive access to Sikh heritage beyond geographical and institutional barriers.

In 2023, SMI achieved another milestone by creating the first 3D installation in the UK at the Royal Armouries, allowing visitors to experience Sikh weaponry and artefacts in a digitally enhanced, immersive format — blending historical interpretation with state-of-the-art technology. The objects included an Akali Turban, a shield and a metal helmet.

Beyond digital innovation, the Sikh Museum Initiative has also curated two large-scale Contemporary Sikh art exhibitions (2018 & 2024) showcasing the work of global Sikh artists, celebrating contemporary creativity while reflecting on traditional themes and historical narratives within Sikh culture.

The SMI’s success lies not only in its technological achievements but also in its commitment to community collaboration. Through exhibitions, lectures, and outreach programmes, the initiative has brought together historians, developers, and local Sikh communities to rediscover shared heritage.

The tenth anniversary celebration at the University of Leicester brought together partners, supporters, and academics to reflect on SMI’s achievements and unveil new 3D-digitised Sikh artefacts. As the initiative enters its next decade, it remains committed to bridging past and future through interactive, digital experiences that preserve and share Sikh heritage for

generations to come.

The 3D-digitised Sikh artefacts created through SMI’s work can be explored on the Anglo Sikh Virtual Museum platform at www.anglosikhmuseum.com and can be contacted at info@sikhmuseum.org.uk.

(The author is a historian and director of Sikh Museum Initiative.)