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1857: Queen Lakshmi of India and one of her elite guards have a revealing story to tell
The Last Queen Of India
What you need to know before your trail
Sita is only nineteen but she’s one of Queen Lakshmi’s most trusted and loyal confidants. She has pledged herself to a life of celibacy in the name of protecting the young ruler and agrees to train her in the art of military combat. A close friendship develops between the two women. But this is no easy time to be Queen or indeed a woman – Lakshmi’s court is dangerously divided and rumours are rife that the country is at risk.
Meanwhile, in London, Queen Victoria is being advised that the power of the Commonwealth needs to be extended, and India is coveted as the next jewel in the imperial crown.
Lakshmi and Sita are unaware of the changes this will bring them
Travel Guide
The Kingdom of Jhansi – Rani Mahal and the Jhansi Fort
The Kingdom of Jhansi with Rani as its rule, existed until 1853 when the East India Company annexed its territories in following a brutal war. This was a pivotal point in India’s history and this one woman, along with her most trusted warrior and protector carved their own places in the history books by standing firm. Rani Mahal was the palace where the story is revealed.
British East India Company
Britain and its wish to increase the length and breath of the Commonwealth was a harsh and brutal tome. This period of history is stunningly evoked from the wars to the occupation and the horrors and violence that they brought with them in order to achieve their goals. The novel is based on true events which took place in India in the run up to the establishment of the British Raj.
From the village of Barwa Sagar to the palace
Sita, comes from a small village where she is forced to serve her family and almost ends up in a brothel. She is only saved by the chance to train as a Durgavasi, an elite female group who guard the Queen. Not having a dowry and being of low caste, her fate would otherwise be sealed. The caste system is harsh and brutal – your birth dictates your fate in life. Women are supposed to hide away and not be seen in society (actually a custom called Purdah” so the obstacles are against them in more ways than one.
Booktrailer Review
Clare:@thebooktrailer
What a fascinating story. I came to this novel with no prior knowledge of the era and now that I’ve finished it I feel as though I have a solid grasp of the tragedy of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Seeing it through the eyes of two remarkable women, this read like a charm. I’be become totally enamored with the whole period now and actually quite miss them both now the story has finished.
How fascinating though for a girl from a poor village to end up as the Queen’;s Protector. The female characters here were some of the most fascinating in the story for me and that was before we even reached the palace! Sita’s grandmother is hard to like whereas Jhalkari also from a poor caste is strong and a nice person and not bitter in the same way for her lot in life. I was both horrified and fascinated to find out how the caste system worked at this time.
The story though is of the bond between two very different women and I felt ashamed at what the East India Company got up to and how Empire had a lot to answer for. When Sita won a place in the Durgavasi, I cheered. I also felt very close to Rani and was with her every step of the way. I’m not going to spoil it for readers but I was close to tears on many a page as their fates are revealed.
A real jewel in the crown of the story of India via fiction.
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Facebook: /Michelle-Moran
Web: michellemoran.com
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