AN OFFICIAL ANGLO-INDIAN SILVER SEAL WITH BILINGUAL INSCRIPTIONS IN DEVANAGARI AND URDU NASTA'LIQ CALLIGRAPHY
Lucknow, Awadh (Oudh), Northern India, dated 1872

Of circular shape, with 5ll. of Indian devanagari script at the top, followed by 2ll. of free-flowing Urdu nasta'liq script terminating with the Gregorian calendar date 1872, set against a plain ground with stylised flowers and foliage, and within a beaded frame.

5.5cm diameter

72gr.

Inscription: The seal ... of Sarkar Bleecker Bahadur 1872

'Sarkar' is a title used for government officials in 19th-century India, especially during the British Raj period. 'Bahadur' is another honorific title expressing high status and good lineage, usually accompanying the surname of the person appointed with such title. The name 'Bleecker' is clearly of foreign origin. It seems thus plausible to assume that this plaque was an official Anglo-Indian seal, most probably used by an English diplomat or official, operating in one of Indian's northern regions were the population was equally mixed (Urdu - Muslim, and Devanagari - Hindu). Therefore, the seal required both languages.