Early Life and Background

Sophia Alexandrovna Duleep Singh was born on August 8, 1876, in Belgravia, London. She was the daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, who had been exiled to England after the British annexation of Punjab. Her mother, Bamba Müller, was of German and Ethiopian descent. This unique heritage gave Sophia a blend of Indian, European, and African ancestry.Queen Victoria, who was Sophia’s godmother, took a special interest in her upbringing. Sophia grew up in Suffolk and was educated at Elveden Hall. As a young woman, she was known as a socialite and fashion icon, often featured in the press.

Political Awakening

A turning point in Sophia’s life came in 1903 when she visited India for the first time. This trip exposed her to the realities of British colonial rule and sparked her interest in Indian independence and social justice. Upon returning to England, she became involved in supporting Indian seamen in London.

Suffragette Activities

In 1909, Sophia joined the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), becoming an active and prominent suffragette. Her involvement in the movement included:

1. Participating in the “Black Friday” protests in 1910, where suffragettes clashed with police.
2. Joining the Women’s Tax Resistance League, refusing to pay taxes and selling her possessions to avoid seizure.
3. Selling the newspaper “The Suffragette” outside Hampton Court Palace, where she lived.
4. Spoiling her 1911 census form in protest.

Sophia’s royal status and high profile made her a valuable asset to the suffragette cause. She used her position to generate publicity and support for women’s enfranchisement.

World War I and Later Activism

During World War I, Sophia volunteered as a Red Cross nurse, caring for wounded Indian soldiers. She continued to advocate for Indian soldiers’ welfare, organizing fundraising events and visiting them in hospitals.After the war, Sophia remained committed to women’s rights and Indian independence. She joined the Suffragette Fellowship and was involved in organizing tributes to Emmeline Pankhurst.

Legacy

Sophia Duleep Singh’s life spanned two worlds – that of British royalty and radical political activism. Her contributions to the suffragette movement and her advocacy for Indian independence make her an important figure in British and Indian history.In recent years, there has been renewed interest in Sophia’s life:

• In 2023, English Heritage erected a blue plaque in her honor at Faraday House, Hampton Court, where she lived for over five decades.
• She was featured on a Royal Mail stamp in 2018.
• Her life has been the subject of biographies and theatrical productions.

Sophia Duleep Singh passed away on August 22, 1948. Her legacy serves as an inspiration and reminder of the diverse voices that contributed to the fight for women’s rights and social justice in Britain.