Portret van nawab Mahomed Khan, zijn schoonzoon Khair Mahomed en een derde onbekende man before 1872

This is a portrait of Nawab Mahomed Khan, his son-in-law Khair Mahomed, and a third unidentified man, made by Henry Charles Baskerville Tanner. Observe the turbans donned by these figures. Headwear such as this speaks volumes, acting as a cultural emblem that has, across history, been a symbol of identity, faith, and status. Consider, then, the turbans’ migration across time. From ancient Mesopotamian headdresses to the elaborate head coverings of Renaissance Europe, and even present-day fashion. Each evolution carries echoes of its past, yet adapts to the cultural landscape it inhabits. Think of the psychological weight these symbols carry. They are not merely fabric but potent signifiers that tap into our collective memory, evoking subconscious responses tied to power, spirituality, and belonging.