SOPHIA

The biography of an Indian royal princess, born in Britain, who found a higher purpose as she discovered her heritage.

BBC radio and TV journalist Anand devotes the first part of the book to a brief, comprehensive look at the history of the Raj in India. The story begins with the deposition of 11-year-old Maharajah Duleep Singh from his throne in the vast Punjab, where Hindus and Muslims peacefully shared common language and culture. Duleep became Queen Victoria’s favorite, and his life in exile was extremely comfortable. In fact, royal favor allowed Duleep to live far beyond his means, gambling and incurring massive debts. Years of letters from him and his children demanding government support indicate just how well these displaced royals were treated. Princess Sophia (1876-1948), his youngest and Victoria’s godchild, led an enchanted life after being born in exile in England; her quiet charm and designation as a royal princess ensured primary status at all events. She and her siblings had no real feeling for India until Sophia’s sister coaxed her into visiting their homeland. Being exposed to such poverty and deprivation drove her to reject her life as a socialite and seek those who needed protection. At first, her work on behalf of the lascars, Indian dockworkers in London, satisfied that need, and she helped build a safe haven for them. Eventually, Sophia awoke to the women’s suffrage movement and found her voice. She dedicated her name and status to the movement, joining in census and tax resistance, and she marched next to suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, daring authorities to arrest her as she fearlessly demanded women’s rights.

A sturdy narrative of one woman’s awakening and strength in the early 20th century as she witnessed the vast societal changes in India and England.