Maharaja Ranbir Singh poses on a throne, his right foot resting on a throne bench. These regal and ostentatious objects indicate that the picture was taken in the palace and not in a studio. His right hand holds a magnificent sword and a dagger is tucked into his belt. His cloak is richly embroidered with pearls and he wears several pearl necklaces around his neck. Wearing the sarpech (turban ornament, feather pin) pinned to the turban was the sole prerogative of the ruler, his direct retainer and his horse. Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Kashmir (1829-1885), Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from 1856 until his death in 1885. Great scholar of the Persian language, Pashtu, Sanskrit and English. He promoted the construction of temples in Jammu and reformed the internal postal system established by his father and introduced the first postage stamps in Kashmir. He married five times and had 6 children, including four sons. Full-length portrait of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, see also VIII C 1829