Jean-Baptiste Ventura
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Jean-Baptiste Ventura, born Rubino, was an Italian soldier, mercenary in India, general in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Sarkar-i-Khalsa, and early archaeologist of the Punjab region of the Sikh Empire.
Oil painting of Jean-Baptiste Ventura
General Rubino Ventura and Maharaja Ranjiit Singh in Lahore in 1825
Ruins of an Indo-Greek temple, found by General Ventura, published in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1838
A late night gathering of Sikhs with Maharaja Ranjit Singh and General Ventura outside the walls of Lahore, ca.1830
Jean-François Allard
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Jean-François Allard, born in Saint Tropez, was a French soldier and adventurer.
Jean-Baptiste Ventura
…because he had fought under Napoleon. As a result of their political intrigues, Ventura was dismissed. He traveled east, ending up in Lahore alongside Jean-François Allard in 1822. They took service with Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the ruler of Punjab, as the Maharaja was encouraging veterans from erstwhile Napoleon's army in…
Portrait of Jean-François Allard, by Joseph-Désiré Court, 1837
Maharaja Ranjit Singh reviewing General Jean-François Allard's troops, ca.1841
General Allard with family. Sikh painting, ca.1838
Preserved Kaukab-i-Iqbal-i-Punjab medal