Sophia: Princess, Sufragette, Revolutionary

I’ve always been fascinated by stories of the Indian Raj: all that arrogant and uptight British pomp and circumstance contrasting with the myriad aspects of Indian culture and religions. Biographies of military men or civil servants such as Viceroys and governors don’t usually appeal to me, but I had done some research for one of my novels on the “Lion of the Punjab”, Ranjit Singh, so when I spotted this title I was keen to know more about this granddaughter of his, Princess Sophia.
 
The book was reviewed widely when it was first published a year ago, but this one in the UK Daily Telegraph by Lucy Worsley best echoes many of my own thoughts. There are incongruities in Sophia’s passion for various causes involving the less-privileged on the one hand while she insists on her entitlement and a need for recognition from the British upper crust on the other. Although she does have some admirable successes and achievements, she fails on the warmth level and you never get a real sense of who she is. Perhaps one must excuse her; she lived in difficult times and was trapped between two worlds.
 
There is also too much description and information at times. Depending on the reader’s own knowledge and interest levels, there are whole swathes of background that can be scanned through. For me, the story of the lascars and the Indians-only hospitals during World War I were far more interesting than the blow-by-blow history of the suffragette movement which is much better read on its own elsewhere. And I’m afraid Sophia’s two sisters bordered on the spoilt and irritating as well, but again must be forgiven because they couldn’t help being that way given their upbringing and circumstances.
 
An enlightening and enjoyable read in parts, but rather a trudge through well-worn paths in others.


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