New exhibition features Leicestershire chief superintendent

A new exhibition, which explores the close historical links between the Battle of Bosworth and the beginnings of the Sikh faith in Punjab, features a chief superintendent from Leicestershire.

'Medieval Women Forging the Way: Influential Women of the Sikh World and Beyond' has opened at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and features Chief Superintendent Manjit Atwal from Leicestershire Police among the exhibition.

Chief Superintendent Manjit Atwal

 

The project has been bought to life thanks to Leicestershire County Council’s Culture Leicestershire team and Sikh women’s group The Sikh Women in History Project.

Whilst much is known about the powerful women of the War of the Roses, which culminated in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, the group has used extensive research, stories and images to explore their medieval peers in Punjab and the paths they forged for generations of Sikh women around the world, which dates back to 1469.

Visitors to the exhibition can discover the stories of remarkable resilience, courage, and service throughout history, with 10 portraits of Sikh women through history, created by the community.

Chief Superintendent Atwal said, “The exhibition has been put together really well by Sikh women. I actually felt quite emotional when I saw it because I just thought ‘how am I part of these amazing women in history?”

Chief Superintendent Atwal is one of the highest-ranking Sikh female police officers in the UK and was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 2021.  She supports the progression of female police officers and staff, as well as those from black and minority ethnic communities, and male colleagues across policing locally and nationally. She strives to improve trust and confidence in policing, aiming to create a legacy of inclusivity and support.  She is currently on secondment to the College of Policing where she is the Strategic Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls and Op Soteria - a national programme to improve police response to rape and serious sexual offences.

She continued; “I have always thought the Sikh beliefs of equality, honesty, humility and ‘seva,’ which means service, are the same as the principals at the heart of policing and are the reasons for the success of my police career and my wider engagement across our diverse communities.

“I’d urge people to take the time to go and see the exhibition – it will give you an understanding of Sikh culture and British history at the same time. I am very honoured to be a part of it.”

The exhibition has opened at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre

 

Dr Kevin Feltham, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, said: “I’ve loved being able to see this project come to life and parallels being drawn between two significant points in history. It really is a vibrant and interesting exhibition, and I’d encourage people to head over to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to discover it for themselves.

“This is a great example of how Culture Leicestershire is working alongside local communities to delve into, share and explore different cultures and their heritage.”

Rachel Duffield, commissioned Creative Practitioner, said: "Sikh history is a new area to me, and I've been bowled over by the Community Curators' commitment to the project. Meeting these fantastic women, learning about their faith and history and creating the portrait of Sophia together has been a wonderful experience both personally and professionally." 

The exhibition forms part of a wider ‘Sikh Herstories’ project, which sees Culture Leicestershire continue to work with local communities. The small temporary exhibition gallery at Bosworth Battlefield’s Heritage Centre offers a great opportunity for visitors to learn about local history and to show that British heritage is broader than people realise.

Several key figures attended the official exhibition opening including Leicestershire County Council Chairman Dr Kevin Feltham along with members of the Bosworth Sikh’s Women’s Project such as Surinder Kaur and Gurpreet Kaur as well as participants in the exhibition including Chief Superintendent Manjit Atwal.

The exhibition runs until 31 October 2024 and is open in line with Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre’s opening times, daily 10am -5pm. Car parking charges apply.

Visit Culture Leicestershire for more information https://www.cultureleicestershire.co.uk/projects/herstories/