The Last Queen

This book is based on the true story of Maharani Jindan, the last Sikh queen of Lahore, who fought against the British with the help of khalsa warriors but never made it to our history pages, books or media.Jindan kaur was the daughter of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s kennel keeper. Although her father, Manna, wanted to use her beauty as a means to get advantage from the Maharaja, but Jindan astounded the Sarkar with her intelligence and profound love for Punjab. Jindan got married to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and became his most loved and favourite queen. They had a son Dalip Singh who ascended the throne at the age of six after the untimely and gruesome deaths of the royal family members.After the death of the Sarkar, His kingdom started to fall apart. Members of the royal family started to plot nefarious plans and murdered each other for the sake of the throne. The queens and their newborn babies were also murdered ruthlessly. As if the problems were less, even the British kept an eye on the advancement of the situation and plotted to seize the kingdom at the very first opportunity. The times were uncertain and there were cobras and wolves all around in the form of cold-blooded assassins. Being young, she was completely oblivious of the palace politics and intriguing political manoeuvres.Maharani Jindan Kaur was a strong willed and intelligent woman. She knew she had to stay alive and keep her son alive so that he can become the Maharaja of Lahore. Being a Regent Queen, she broke the rules of zenana and discussed important state matters with the courtiers. Dalip Singh became the king after lots of tumultuous incidents, but became a puppet in the hands of the British. She gathered her forces of the khalsa regiment and waged wars against the British twice. She got defeated because her plans were not strong enough to tumble the Britishers and she made some horrible decisions which led to her downfall.They brainwashed Dalip Singh and separated Rani Jindan from his son. Rani jindan’s assets were seized. She was exiled and imprisoned. The british maligned her image by referring to her as a seductress. But she never gave up. She escaped from their prison and sought asylum in Kathmandu.The story flows seamlessly throughout the book and is bound to give chills and goosebumps to the readers. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is known to write about women who got lost in the oblivion and were oppressed in some form in the patriarchal society.The author does not sketch the character of Maharani Jindan keeping in mind only the positive side but also the not-so-pleasant side of her character. We get to hear about her when she was vulnerable and at her weakest. She is not portrayed as a flawless character and that makes her so real and authentic because humans were not meant to be flawless. The author doesn’t turn a blind eye to the other female characters like Mai Nakhan, Guddan, Chand, Mangla because they were equally responsible for shaping her character.

As the synopsis of the book, the title and everything around the book suggests, this is the story of a queen and not just any queen, The Last Queen of Sikh Empire and Mother of Khalsa Rani Jindan Kaur. Story starts with describing her humble background, how she meets Ranjit Singh and he falls for her, how she develops an uncanny understanding of the geo-political situation surrounding their empire and how with every passing day as her husband's deteriorating health, plunges the empire closer and closer to the brink of war. Surround by jackals who plans to plunder and pillage the empire, just to get a shred of prosperity for themselves and their clans, Jindan Kaur navigates through diplomacy and strength to rule as a regent in stead of her son, Duleep Singh. However, destiny was forged in the fires that didn't favor her.The story is a little plain. However, unique characters and intriguing protagonist along with a lesser known important figure in the history of Indian subcontinent more alluring what I find is that lack of zeal which I found in the other books written by Chitra Banerjee. This story is more like history told with filler contents that are not to be found easily. Nonetheless, history seems well researched and the flow of story goes on uninterrupted with a certain steadiness.At last, getting acquainted with the string character of Rani Jindan made me left with admiration as the book came to its end.

The Last Queen“You don’t have to be born a Princess to become a Queen!”Sunday 7th February 2021Book-ReviewBook : The Last QueenAuthor: Chitra Banerjee DivakaruniGenre : Fiction, History, LiteraturePrice: Rs.599No. of Pages : 372ISBN : 978-93-9035-195-4Available in: HardbackLanguage: EnglishPublished by : Harper CollinsIt is said,“To be noticed by others, you need to be physically ... attractive and appealing; but to remain in the hearts 💕 of others, you need to be mentally ... gracefully beautiful and dazzlingly magnificent!!”... and that is how one of my most admired writers: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni has portrayed the heroine - ‘Rani Jindan, Mother of the Khalsa’ in her latest novel : The Last QueenI have always been a slow reader. I take enough time trying to grasp the writer’s point of view. But till date I have never continued “chewing” a book for a complete month!This one book just left me in a trance! I never wanted it to end ... 🥺Right from the feel of the hard bound cover, the tantalizing image with the fiery-red border/background to the exquisitely printed pages ... and Ofcourse the wonderfully-well narration of a powerful story by a master story-teller ... I loved it ALL!It begins with a quote which I adored!“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter”.- Chinua AchebeSo True!Rani Jindan Kaur - the last Queen of Punjab is indeed the Lion and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - the historian.The other books by the same author are extremely popular. But this one stands out alone as a historical book; the genre of the others being Mythology.The simplicity and yet aptness of expression takes your heart away. The flow is so smooth that it compels one to keep reading. The music, the rhythm, the lyrical quality of the words is so pleasingly striking.Just imagine, Maharaja Ranjit Singh - the most powerful warrior - the strongest king of Punjab, saying to Rani Jindan Kaur, “Well, my dearest, you aren’t my first wife, but I promise you this, you will be my last. The one who has filled my heart totally”!How soft and refreshing it sounds amongst its harsh surroundings of “Plots, Betrayals, Deaths and Executions”!We are left in awe of the descriptions that are so scenic and picturesque! The images formed in front of our eyes makes us feel as though we are seeing a movie and not reading a book.I could actually visualise the city of Lahore! ‘The safest city in the country with its twelve gates! The Shalimar Gardens with four hundred fountains and one lakh flowers!’“The intricate, beloved tapestry of Lahore, city of myth, fashioned from the wilderness before time began by Lav, son of Ram.”The mythological references added power to the writings.Reading the book was like ... entering the Sheranwala Darwaza to encounter the Sher-e-Punjab and get dazzled by the ‘fire-like-flashes’ of “The Koh-i-Noor” - The Mountain of Light - the might of Punjab!But ultimately it all led to the magnetic charisma of the fabulously, fearless queen Jindan!! She becomes a widow at the age of twenty-one. The entire world turns against her. Her courage, bravery, grit and determination in fighting against deceitful, beastly, rebellious and violent atmosphere of the avarice and false people surrounding her leaves us totally speechless!The pathos evoked by the melancholy and sadness of the mother-son separation and later reunion is worth a mention.The character of Dalip, initially appears such a contrast to that of his mother.“... Like a bird which, having been bred in captivity, feels comforted only in the safety of its cage.”The end, ends the ‘weak elements’ in Dalip, it finally marks the success of Rani Jindan’s attempts in making him realise the actual truth of the prevailing situation and brings out the strength in him. His thoughts leave their impact.“People revered his father as The Lion of Punjab but his mother is the one they should have called Lioness.”“In her way, wasn’t she braver than Ranjit Singh? Didn’t she fight greater obstacles?”What a Queen!A must read ALL! *****

A part of me curses the British for what they have done. For all their wicked acts against Hindustan. For being such a blood-sucking leech. But a part of me wonders when Hindustan was at its glory, our kings too could have done many such cruelties in the name of expanding their kingdom. This entire political game enrages me, having read the death of thousands of lives. How meagre human lives are in front of wealth and treasure.I've read 2 more books by Diwakaruni, I love how her lead women are human, far from being perfect. Rani Jindan was not different. She too has done certain things which the world dearly like to call immoral. She too was a mother who has taken extreme steps for her child. She has turned her army against her people just because she wanted to protect Dalip Singh.Having said that, my brain kept bugging me throughout the read that she was extremely selfish to put her whole country at stake for the safety of her child. She never once have merely thought that I should do this for my people. Many would come at me saying, she has helped Maharaja Ranjit Singh by plotting a few plans against the British. But her intention was to keep the king dear to her. She had to do that to win against hundreds of kings' wives.If we look that way, even in Mahabharat the war has happened for their selfish motive. So as in Ramayan. My mind just couldn't glorify Rani Jindan because she has never been portrayed as an incarnation of Goddess?Don't get me wrong! I thoroughly enjoyed binge reading it. It's engaging and adventurous in every possible way. I admire her courage, determination, for being strong headed.I truly appreciate this as a glorious tale that didn't let me sleep until I finish it. But deep down my heart refuse to idealise Rani Jindan. I would still call this a sheer misuse of power for her own sake.The book starts with a quote "Until the lions have their historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter". Ironically I'd say Rani, the hunter here.

The book is about the youngest and last queen of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Her name is Rani Jindan Kaur. She is also a freedom fighter. Her poignant story is not well known by the people. This book says her untold story. Despite of her non royal background the King fell for her because of her wit and understanding nature. However she faced the brunt of zenana politics for this in her initial years after her nuptial. Being a young single mother was more difficult after the demise of the King. She was worried for her son Dalip Singh and Punjab.She witnessed both loyalty and treachery in her empire’s predicament. The unmendable rifts and conspiracies among the kinsfolk caused many deaths .Ultimately young Dalip inherited the King’s Throne .Rani Jindan was the regent queen of the undivided Punjab.Her Khalsa army fought the first Anglo-Sikh war. Unfortunately her many decisions and dried up treasure trove had put the entire kingdom on the line.The EIC conquered Punjab and separated the son from the queen mother. But her wrath and quest for her son didn’t stop in the dungeon. She escaped from her prison and lived in Nepal.Her unassailable spirit to meet her long lost son was fruitful after 13 years.They both united and lived together.I loved few characters like Fakir, Mangla,Guddan,Dalip & Maharaja Ranjit Singh.I loved Rani Jindan who rejected Sati and purdah in her court. The book is from her POV which adds the essence to her biography.The writing style is lucid and thought-provoking. I devoured the book in 3 days. Chitra Mam is a clear winner for her attempt in the historical fiction genre.Ps: When I bought The Last Queen I thought it could be a nice book to learn about a lady freedom fighter for my daughter who started reading. But no!!🚫The only thing I thought was de trop was the explicit scenes written due to which I suggest that kids should refrain from reading it. It is not a children’s book though.