He lived on a pension of £25,000 a year which he was granted provided he 'remain obedient to the British Government'. Sophia and her siblings were brought up in Suffolk, within the English aristocracy – her Godmother was Queen Victoria. Princess Sophia supported Indians, particularly women, throughout her life. Born on 8 August 1876 in London, Sophia Duleep Singh’s early life was characterised by a combination of Punjab heritage and links to members of the British aristocracy. In 1849, aged 10, he was removed from the Punjab, with his title and power devolved. Maharaja Duleep Singh was the last Maharaja of Lahore, deposed by the British at the age of 10. Two would later die from their injuries. The Elvedon estate provided the family with all the pastimes expected by the English aristocracy, particularly riding and shooting. He refused and the women were rebuffed with violence despite not being violent towards the police themselves. She was god-daughter to Queen Victoria (who was very fond of her, and gave her a house in Hampton Court). When the Prime Minister refused to see them and the protestors refused to disperse, the police responded with brutality. Sophia was often seen selling The Suffragette newspaper at her pitch at Hampton Court Palace. Maharaja Duleep Singh was the last Maharaja of Lahore, deposed by the British at the age of 10. Sophia also entertained Indian soldiers who were part of a peace contingent at her home in Hampton Court in September 1919. That day, Princess Sophia was in the vanguard with Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Emmeline Pankhurst herself. In 1913 she was summoned again to answer for keeping dogs and a carriage without a licence. This letter reveals not only Sophia's intimate involvement with the Richmond Women's Suffrage Movement, but also her fear of public speaking, which is evident in other letters. with costs. The children remembered the stay fondly, recalling oriental ornaments, ample food and a parrot called Akbar. Sophia had a real zest for life and many passions. Sophia had both pride and sympathy for the Indian people, writing in one letter, 'I was delighted to see the house of my ancestors, but oh dear how primitive it all is. Although not a fan of public speaking, and often anxious not to draw attention away from fellow suffragettes, Sophia's celebrity was ultimately an important asset for the Suffragette movement. A brief history of Sophia Duleep Singh: Princess Sophia was the child of exiled Maharaja Duleep Singh and Maharani Bamba Muller. She was brought up at Elveden Hall on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Princess Sophia Alexandra Duleep Singh (1876-1948) was the goddaughter of Queen Victoria. She stated: "The policeman was unnecessarily and brutally rough and Princess Sophia hopes he will be suitably punished.". Sophia loved fashion and acquired her clothes and accessories from the finest fashion houses of London and Paris. 1068852). She frequently attended functions organised by the India Office, including receptions for distinguished Indian visitors. In her diary she wrote of him: Converting to Christianity in 1853, The Maharaja eventually settled in the UK in 1854 and became a naturalised British citizen. Her father became the Maharaja of Punjab in 1843 when he was aged just five years old, but the Punjab was subsequently annexed in 1849. Catherine frequently attended events promoting the Suffrage cause, and in November 1912 opened an event in Birmingham promoting 'Constitutional women's suffrage work’. When violence erupted, the Princess rescued a suffragette from a police officer, who was treating her extremely roughly. This was arguably a mere fraction of the wealth they could have expected from their patrimony. Through diaries, letters and more, we discover a personal and close up view of Victoria's life and see the very heart of her reign. Please note this also includes the ice rink and Magic Garden. Her father was Maharaja Duleep Singh, who had been taken from his kingdom of Punjab to the British Raj, and was subsequently exiled to England.Sophia's mother was Bamba Müller, and her godmother was Queen Victoria.She had four sisters, including two halfsisters, … This stance led to various fines where jewellery was impounded but then bought back in auction by members of the WTRL. Sophia Duleep Singh was the fifth child of six children of the Maharaja Duleep Singh. Main image: Sophia in 1930. This didn't stop her dressing her servants in fine burgundy uniforms, the men resplendent in gold embroidered waistcoats. The Queen also granted her an allowance of £200 a year to maintain it. View images from this item (1) Usage terms Public Domain. Sophia descended from Indian royalty. She campaigned for votes for women nationally as well as locally in Richmond and Kingston-upon-Thames. The Queen allowed her residence in Hampton Court, Faraday House. She refused to pay her taxes and illegally spoiled her 1911 government census survey form by graffitiing across it. Sophia's parents' relationship broke down and Maharaja Duleep Singh spent the last six years of his life in Paris, campaigning to be returned to the throne of Lahore. On 18 November 1910, she took part in the first deputation to the House of Commons, 'Black Friday', with Emmeline Pankhurst, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and others. Sophia's campaigning attracted the attention of both the press and the government. Image: Sophia Duleep Singh as a baby with her mother, Maharani Bamba. During the Second World War Sophia moved to Coalhatch House, Penn in Buckinghamshire with her sister Catherine. Sophia's four brothers included Frederick Duleep Singh, while among her four sisters was the suffragette Catherine Duleep Singh. She was sporty, playing hockey and riding and cycling frequently. Despite this, Duleep Singh was famously a friend of Queen Victoria. 400 Years of History (London: Pluto Press, 2002), Visram, Rozina, 'Duleep Singh, Princess Sophia Alexandra (1876–1948)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004) [http://www.oxforddnb.com/index/64/101064781/], Letter from Princess Sophia Duleep Singh to Nancy Grant, from Faraday House, 29 April 1911. Worse still, in 1887 Sophia’s mother died, after which the children were in the care of the Arthur Craigie Oliphant, chosen by Queen Victoria to be guardian. During the Second World War, Sophia evacuated London and her home in Hampton Court to live in the village of Penn in Buckinghamshire, in a bungalow named 'Rathenrae'. In 1896, Queen Victoria gave Sophia 'Faraday House' in Hampton Court as a 'grace and favour' home, and it is here that she lived for most of her adult life. When auctioned the ring was bought by Mrs Jopling Rowe, who presented it back to Princess Sophia to much applause. Sophia supported the Indian Women’s Education Association, volunteering at their stall at Claridges in 1921, which was arranged by the Conservative Women’s Reform Movement. We use cookies on our site to provide you with a better experience and relevant advertising. In May 1911 Sophia was summoned to court and fined £3 for keeping a man-servant, five dogs and a carriage without licence. Bamba Müller was the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy German banker and an Abyssinian (Ethiopian) slave named Sofia. A keen animal lover, the Princess walked her dogs in the gardens of Hampton Court Palace, for which she had her own key. The second visit was an emotional one, and nearly caused problems for the local authorities. 500 fascinating facts about Queen Victoria and her world. Image: Catherine Duleep Singh. Her life was truly dedicated to the fight for equality and the support of others. Sophia's philanthropy extended far beyond women's rights and she supported many groups, particularly Indians and Sikhs wherever she encountered them. Image: Hampton Court Palace in the early 20th century. Princess Sophia died in her sleep on 22 August 1948. The WTRL refused to pay a variety of taxes, insurances and license fees, including income tax, property tax, dog tax, and even servant insurance. On this day, more than 300 suffragettes marched from Caxton Hall to Parliament Square and demanded to see the Prime Minister. Sophia Duleep Singh 1910. In 1896 Queen Victoria gave Princess Sophia Faraday House, then part of the Hampton Court Estate, as a grace and favour residence. History / Topfoto. However, this was not the end of the matter for Princess Sophia who continued to campaign for equality all her life. I will come on the 9th to the meeting with pleasure. Sophia's other hobbies included photography and music. LSE Library London, United Kingdom. The Maharaja, of Sikh background, converted to Christianity and eventually settled in England, becoming a naturalized British citizen and receiving a British pension. © Museum of London. Like her sisters Bamba and Catherine, Sophia inherited the sizeable fortune of £23,000 from her father. Princess Sophia Alexandrovna Duleep Singh (1876–1948) had a heritage as confusing as her name. Princess Sophia Alexandrovna Duleep Singh was born in 1876 in Belgravia. The children first lived in the Oliphant family home in Folkestone, and then in their Brighton home. Over 100 protesters were arrested on Black Friday, but all were released the next day without charge on Churchill's orders. Image: Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1880. She was an active member of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), becoming a prominent member of the Richmond and Kingston-upon-Thames district branches. Sophia was highly involved in the patronage of Indians in Britain, such as in the establishment of the Lascars' Club in the East End of London. Sophia was also involved in bringing attention to the contribution of Indian soldiers in the First World War. Sophia’s father was the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire in India and she was born a princess. On 18 November 1910, Singh, Emmeline Pankhurst, and around 300 other suffragettes went to the House of Commons, hoping for a meeting with Asquith. The battle became physically dangerous too, when Sophia led the Black Friday march of 1910 with Emmeline Pankhurst at her side. For more information on Sophia Duleep Singh and her family, please refer to the following books and websites: Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary by Anita Anand (London, 2015)Sovereign, Squire & Rebel: Maharajah Duleep Singh by Peter Bance (London, 2009) and accompanying website.Asians in Britain: 400 Years of History by Rozina Visram (London, 2002), From pampered princess to elderly empress: wife, mother and queen, The Tower of London played an important role in the First and Second World Wars. During the First World War, the WSPU and WTRL temporally ceased activity to support the war effort. Outside, exotic animals and birds roamed the gardens including golden pheasants, parrots, and peacocks. The house itself was rebuilt by her father with an Italianate exterior and palatial Mughal interior, full of rich textiles and furnishings. She then pursued the officer until she discovered his identification number (V700), in order to make a formal complaint. Ffeminist a swffragét o Loegr oedd y Dywysoges Sophia Duleep Singh (8 Awst 1876 - 22 Awst 1948) sy'n cael ei hystyried yn nodigedig am ymgyrchu dros bleidlais i ferched, hynny yw, etholfraint.. Ganed Sophia Alexandrovna Duleep Singh yn Elveden Hall, Suffolk ar 8 Awst 1876; bu farw yn Tylers Green. Catherine and Sophia continued to attend dinners and gatherings of the movement, even after women had won the right to vote. Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity. Sophia is responding to an invitation to a Suffrage meeting in Richmond at which Nancy Grant has requested that she speak a few words to support their resolution. In context: Sophia Duleep Singh. © Peter Bance. She loved travel and was energetic on the aristocratic social scene. Sophia Duleep Singh often sold newspapers, including the WSPU's The Suffragette and the WFL's The Vote, outside her home in Hampton Court Palace. Below: Sophia selling subcriptions to the Suffragette newspaper on her pitch outside Hampton Court Palace. The family settled in Elveden Hall in Norfolk where Sophia was born in 1876. In 1876 Sophia Duleep Singh was born into Indian royalty. Sophia joined the Tax Resistance League (WTRL). On her instructions, a full band played Wagner's 'Funeral March' at her cremation and her ashes were taken to India for burial. The History Guy remembers Sophia Duleep Singh, Princess of the Sikh Empire, who fought for women's rights and was the Suffragette Princess. Image: The interior of Elvedon Hall, Sophia's childhood home. The Princess protested that taxation without representation was tyranny: "When the women of England are enfranchised and the state acknowledges me as a citizen I shall, of course, pay my share willingly towards its upkeep.". Sophia visited wounded Indian soldiers in Brighton. Image: Maharani Jind Kaur, (1817 - 1863), also popularly known as Rani Jindan, grandmother of Sophia Duleep Singh. Sophia Jindan Alexandrovna Duleep Singh was born on 8 August 1876, the daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh and Bamba Müller. Even though Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was the daughter of exiled Punjabi royalty and the goddaughter of Queen Victoria, she couldn’t have been further from the hoity toity world of high society. Sophia was a long-time supporter of the Women's Suffrage movement and a leading campaigner in the fight for women's rights in Britain. Later that year, a further diamond ring was confiscated when Sophia likewise refused to pay a fine. See more ideas about duleep singh, singh, suffragette. Sophia Duleep Singh selling ‘The Suffragette’ outside Hampton Court Palace. Sophia's names show a truly international and remarkable family history: Sophia, after her enslaved Ethiopian maternal grandmother; Jindan, after her paternal grandmother, Maharani Jind Kaur; and Alexandrovna, after her godmother Queen (Alexandrina) Victoria. Sophia Duleep Singh (1876-1948) was the daughter of Duleep Singh, Maharaja of Punjab until 1849. During the war Sophia was particularly keen to emulate and help the thousands of Indians who were fighting for the Allied Powers. © Museum of London. In the 1934 edition of Women’s Who’s Who, Sophia listed Advancement of Women as her only interest. © Museum of London, Sophia Duleep Singh on her census return in 1911, Image: Sophia Duleep Singh can be seen on the balcony in this image of suffragette leaders addressing supporters at a meeting on 'Black Friday', November 1910. She refused to pay taxes on the principle that women should not have to pay taxes when they did not have the vote to determine the use of those taxes. Her grandfather, Ranjit Singh ruled the North of India from 1801 to 1839. British Dominions Woman Suffrage Union, Women's Social and Political Union, Women's Tax Resistance League. In 1916 Sophia raised money for the Red Cross selling Indian flags at Dewar House in Haymarket. Her father was the Maharajah Duleep Singh and her godmother was Queen Victoria, making her a powerful asset to the Suffrage movement. © Peter Bance. Sophia Duleep Singh was the fifth child of six children of the Maharaja Duleep Singh. Her father became the Maharaja of Punjab in 1843 when he was aged just five years old, but the Punjab was subsequently annexed in 1849. The Cynic Sophia Duleep Singh: How to torture the reader I am referring to a book that is about to come out and hit the unsuspecting people right in the centre of their boredom. Sophia joined the Suffragette Fellowship after World War One and remained a fellow until her death. 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