Goddess Shield

A ring of Hindu goddesses decorates this dhal, a type of shield that had its roots in Persia and Central Asia and was used throughout South Asia from the 16th to the 19th centuries. This shield includes symbolism that is both martial and religious, simultaneously proclaiming the owner’s piety and offering protection from harm.

A small to medium sized round shield, the dhal was held in one hand. Four metal bosses on the surface covered the attachment bolts for two handles on the back, but could also act as catch points to control an opponent’s weapon. Dhal could be made of metal, rhinoceros hide, or metal covered with leather, as seen here. Beautifully painted shields like this one were intended for ceremonial use, not battle. Although the metal backing may be older, the painted leather covering was made in the 1850s, probably for a Rajput nobleman in the state of Mewar, at the time an ally of the British.

Identifying the Goddesses

Goddesses are a central part of the diverse religious traditions of South Asia collectively known as Hinduism. One of their many roles is as a manifestation of shakti, the cosmic force of creation and destruction, here represented by nine goddesses in their warrior forms. Seven are part of a group known as the Matrikas, or Divine Mothers, who are the feminine aspects, also called shakti, of important Hindu gods. All of the goddesses hold swords, and six of them hold shields like this dhal. Each is identified below, beginning at the upper right with Durgā and moving clockwise.

Durgā: was created from the protective powers of all of the Hindu gods and is not one of the Matrikas but a major goddess in her own right. Her mount is a tiger. She carries a sword and shield, a bell, and a severed head.

Indrani: the shakti of the god Indra. Her mount is an elephant. She holds a sword and shield, a trident, and a bell.

Vārāhī is the shakti of Varāha, an avatar (earthly manifestation) of the god Vishnu, who took the form of a boar to save the earth goddess from drowning. She holds a khanda sword, a shield, a mace, and a sickle.

Brahmani: is the shakti of the creator-god Brahma. She sits on a hamsa (a swan or goose) that holds her rosary in its beak. She carries a sword, a mace, a lotus stem, and a water pot.

Ishta-devi: is a generic term for a personal protector goddess. As yet unidentified, this goddess may have been favored by the patron of the shield.

Vaishnavi: is the shakti of Vishnu. She rides on Garuda, a powerful bird-man. She holds a sword and shield, a trident, or trishula , and a snake.

Maheshvari: is the shakti of Shiva. She holds a sword and shield, a trident, and a drum.

Chamunda: is a form of the great goddess, Devi, rather than a male god. She is part of the Matrikas, but also, like Durgā, is worshipped independently. She sits upon the body of a man, and holds a sword, a bell, and a severed head. The broom or whisk in her upper left hand is more often associated with the goddess Śītalā, known as Sheetla Mata in Udaipur where the shield was made. She protects believers from smallpox.

Kaumari, the shakti of Kartikeya, the god of war, rides a peacock and holds a sword, a mace, a goad, or ankus, used to control elephants, and a small vessel.

At the center of the shield is the sun god, Surya, from whom many Rajput rulers claimed descent. His image was used as an emblem of the royal court of Mewar, suggesting a royal patron for this shield.