Sophia – Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary is a biography of the youngest daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh of Punjab. Following the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the once powerful Punjab empire began to fracture as it was mired in internal rivalries among the queens and Maharaja’s progeny. These divisions left Punjab vulnerable and weak, and an easy prey for the ever-expanding Raj of the British. They finally did annex Punjab and the only heir to the Punjab throne, a young prince Duleep Singh was sent to England, where he spent most of life, setting the stage for remarkable journey of his daughter Princess Sophia.

The book gives the readers a glimpse of the Punjab Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the most successful Sikh king, who expanded and consolidate his empires from Afghan border to Kashmir. It chronologically documents the historical events and circumstances under which a young prince Duleep Singh, heir to the kingdom of Punjab was sent to England. There are some interesting anecdotes of young prince and Queen Victoria, who had developed a liking for the young and handsome Duleep Singh.

The author Anita Anand takes us though the growing years of Duleep Singh, his extravagant hobbies, his friend circles and penchant for gambling, which would alter the course his life and that of his family. She introduces the family of Maharaja with such vivid details that readers can almost picture each character and location as if watching a movie/documentary. After setting up the context the author then moves on the main protagonist of the book – Princess Sophia.

Sophia was the sixth of seven children of Duleep Singh and Bamba, she had a wonderful childhood. she shared a special bonding with her younger brother Edward. Queen Victoria was godmother to Sophia and one of her brothers. She was loved adored by the queen, and her teens and youth were filled with elite social gatherings and parties. She was a favourite of the press (paparazzi) and frequently featured in newspapers and magazines. The Author has done remarkable research and crafted a compelling and beautifully written biography of long-forgotten princess. With each page my interest and curiosity increased to know what happens next.

There are so many historical figures about whom we don’t know much, and I knew about Princess Sophia. I am therefore glad that I picked this book up. Through Sophia’s life the book takes the readers on a journey that spans continents and causes – from her visit to India with her sisters and her meeting with the leaders of freedom movement, to her years as a passionate advocate of women’s right to vote, a cause she supported wholeheartedly.

Sophia’s adventures and daring as a suffragette are particularly compelling, showing her grit, courage and determination. She actively participated in protests and deliberately defied government tax orders to invite jail term, but being Queen’s goddaughter, she was never jailed. A fact that emerges from official documents and letters shared among the British officials. The book also sheds light on her contributions during the First World War, when she helped raise funds for wounded soldiers and worked as a nurse caring for them.

It breaks my heart to know that heir of the mighty kingdom of Punjab once ruled by the invincible Maharaj Ranjit Singh, died in Paris, France – far away from his birthplace Punjab, India. Equally sad to know that after the death of Maharaj Duleep Singh’s children, no direct heir to Panjab Kingdom left. The book left me with mixed feelings:  a great admiration for Sophia’s remarkable life, and a sense of sorrow for the tragic end of a once powerful legacy.

The author Anita Anand has done a great job in compiling the biography of Princess Sophia. If you enjoy reading history, you will love this one. By blending meticulous research with vivid storytelling, Anand brings a forgotten princess to life, making her story both inspiring and unforgettable.

About the Author

Anita Anand is an award-winning radio and television journalist. She currently presents Any Answers, PM and the Reith Lectures on BBC Radio 4. She is the author of : Sophia, Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary, and The Patient Assassin/Udham Singh, for which she won the Penn Hessell Tiltman Award for History Book of the Year, and she co-authored Kohinoor, the story of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond.