Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary Hardcover – January 13, 2015

Give back our heritage. Give back our Kohi-noor!As I read this book I became enamored of Sofia, the little princess who came out of her “air head” status to devote her energies for the betterment of humanity. In a quiet, and not so quiet, ways she left her mark on the history of mankind.As Anita Anand said, “How can I not choose Sofia as my protagonist? I owe her my existence, my freedom to vote, and to choose my life style. It is due to the sacrifice of the people like her that I am able to enjoy these rights.”Anand is a journalist. She did a thorough research and crafted a book that is enjoyable to read. Even though Anand’s story travels back and forth in time, we are never lost. We are always searching for what is next to come. She compels us to think as she takes us on this historic tour.Think we must as we read this book. Anand deftly hides her feelings about the torturous ways of the British in the colonies, or in the center of London. We need to wonder why were the men in power so reluctant to share the basic right of self-determination to women for so long? The treatment and humiliation of their women is a stain on British History.I was thinking about what surprised me and what did NOT surprise me about the British in this book.It did not surprise me that the British adopted “divide and rule” strategy. It was the best course for a small army so far from motherland and clever strategy that took advantage of the enemy’s weakness.It did not surprise me that Indians were maneuvered into slavery by the British, who drained all Indian resources to enrich themselves. It did not surprise me that Queen Victoria would ensure that no heir of Ranjit survives to claim Punjab or Kohi-noor.The British actions in Jaliavalla baugh was uncharacteristic but well known and probably no different than My Lai , Abu Gharib, and other atrocities including the police killings of unarmed blacks in the US today. Rewarding the British who committed atrocities too was expected. It is simply business.What surprised me was the treatment meted out to suffragettes. Churchill’s role of allowing free hand to police to molest does not surprise me. He had done that throughout his career. His single-mindedness to achieve his glory has never wavered. But this is not about him. The behavior of the British police officers against their own womenfolk makes my blood boil, as does their treatment of suffragettes who refused food. What kind of degenerate state tortures their gentle imprisoned women? I never knew that chapter of British history.As we watch Helen Mirren, play Maria Altmann in “Woman in Gold”, who sues the Austrian government for the return of artwork the Nazis stole from her family, we wonder why the Indian government should not demand the looted national treasure including the Kohinoor ensconced in the British crown jewels be returned to its rightful place.David Cameron’s recent response “we don’t believe in resending” is self-serving. The UK is out of touch with the major powers that are now returning the looted National Heritage items to the country of their origin. “WE WANT OUR KOHINOOR BACK.”As to the main story told by Anand, Sofia was a like a lonely helpless swimmer buffeted by the winds and waves. She goes hither- thither depending on what is the prevailing fashion. She has no mind of her own until her visit to India. The power of adoring masses turns this shy, “watchable”, meek, person into one who would not risk her safety but who would ultimately devote her energies to the uplift of humanity. She is still a safe swimmer but she guides her energies to the causes she chooses in order to navigate her self-esteem to a secure anchor. She decides to embrace humanitarian causes to quench that thirst to seek her identity. She takes on the cause of “lascars”, poorly treated sailors, and then she volunteers to be a nurse to help WWI Soldiers. Eventually she throws herself in with the suffragettes and devotes the rest of her life to it. In the end she is the only one of Ranjit Singh’s progeny who achieves something of lasting value. Until brought to light by Anand’s pen, the diamond of Sofia lay hidden in the archives of British museums.

This book is well written and researched. I would say it’s a bit thin in fleshing out parts of the family and their characters, their motivations, and takes a few liberties. Sophia gave keepsakes to Drovna without writing them down? Probably not and they must be stolen heirlooms that are better in museums to be cherished by the Sikhs. Bamba was interesting and none of Catherine’s saving of Jewish children is much explored. I wish the book had been written about the entire family with a bit more circumspection. Overall, a good introduction to this era in history.

My book group read this and was unanimous in its "thumbs up". It is long and contains a LOT of history about British colonialism and India, especially in the first chapters, before it goes in depth about Sophia Duleep Singh and her sisters. Good discussion in our zoom meeting.

If someone had told me to read a history book my imaginary "brick wall" would have reared up immediately. I like to read to relax. However,this slipped through as it was recommended by a friend.I have been enthralled by this book on many levels. Family loyalty, women's votes, glamour !!! India novels have been of interest to me and this has made all of them fit into place.During the time avidly reading this I had to smile because whilst I was relaxing reading, my lovely husband is cooking for me. Thanks to wonderful women who fought for us.One point I missed were there any romances or special relationships??? She was so beautiful.Can't wait until it is made into a film.

A well researched and documented book on Sophia. She was a princess and a suffragette, but, I wouldn't say from the evidence in this book that she was a revolutionary.The book was written just like a reporter would write in a fact based style. I didn't really get to know Sophia except through a few of her diary writings. I thought that some of the other characters were much too detailed and Sophia got lost in their narratives.It took my self discipline to plow through. I did learn a lot about the suffragette movement and some history of India.I'm sure detailed lovers would thoroughly enjoy this book, although I didn't.

This book about Sohpia and the Duleep Singh family gave me a further insight into the tragic consequences of England's colonization of India. The wonderful rich culture of India was not valued by the British, who were only interested in plundering the wealth. the story of the koh-i-noor diamond, and Queen Victoria's well meaning gesture of showing it to the deposed heir was particularly poignant. Sophia herself succeeded in becoming a woman of character in spite of her family tragedy. I am grateful to Anita Anand for bringing her to life for the modern reader.

I found this to be a fascinating read. It gives a brief history of the Punjab and the interesting and full life of one of the last princesses

Incorporating historical events in the late 19th and early 20th century relationships of India and Britain, especially the suffragette movement in England and the 'Home Rule" movement in India, the life of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh is told in exceptionally readable prose, and foreshadows today's issues of hybridity among Indian Brits.

Confesso que o começo da leitura foi difícil: foi preciso enfrentar datas, fatos e nomes demais, quase todos estranhos para mim, sem uma ligação aparente com a história da princesa revolucionária e “suffragette” que me havia atraído ao livro. Tive que me esforçar para ler com cuidado o início desta história fascinante da Princesa Sophia e suas raízes sikh, navegando por dois mundos culturalmente distintos - o oriental (Índia) e o ocidental (Inglaterra) e dois séculos de extraordinárias transformações geopolíticas e sociais (da era vitoriana ao pós segunda guerra mundial).Uma vez ultrapassado esta introdução histórica (de importância fundamental, é preciso ressaltar), o livro me cativou completamente. Além de estar amparado em sólidas pesquisas e muito bem documentado, o texto é primoroso, com frases assertivas, sem exageros estilísticos. A história da vida da Princesa Sofia nos conduz pelos labirintos da intimidade de uma época que não existe mais. É daquelas que nos fazem pensar que a Vida muitas vezes é mais fantasiosa que a Arte.São inúmeros os aspectos fascinantes desta narrativa histórica - o esplendor da cultura sikh, a política colonialista da era vitoriana, o drama dos emigrados políticos, a questão feminista, o impacto da política da não-violência de Gandhi, as duas guerras mundiais. Mas, para mim, o que causou maior impacto neste livro foi a luta pelo direito ao voto das mulheres na passagem do século 19 ao 20, na qual a Princesa Sophia se envolveu ativamente. Percebo agora que o termo “suffragette” traz uma conotação condescendente que apequena o movimento dessas mulheres corajosas, capazes de enfrentar todo o tipo de adversidades, até mesmo arriscando a própria vida, para que a voz da metade da humanidade tenha o direito de ser ouvida. Só por esta parte da história já teria valido a pena ler o livro.

I love this, the author is good at keeping it nonfiction without inferring too many unknown facts as "fact." But shows the power of her, and her sibblings, in a rather difficult situation.

What a life! I couldn't put this book down. Entertainingly and well written. Would recommend to lovers of modern history.

I totally agree with all the 5 star reviews.An amazing woman who threw off the trappings of being Indian royalty and Queen Victoria's Godchild in order to make theworld a better place for both sexes but especially women.

Fabulous review of the period of late Victorian Imperialism and the tumultuous two world wars, not to forget the suffragette movement.