Reviewing some classics👸

 The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni revolves around the theme of love, loss, sacrifice, betrayal and misery. This 4-part book starts with (Part-1 Girl) a 9-year-old daughter of a kennel keeper simply living in shacks of Gujranwala (present day Pakistan) with her elder brother, Jawahar and her mother. Jinden Kaur grows up as a bright student and a keen learner, but her life soon turns around when she is unanticipatedly taken to Lahore with her father. Her education is snatched away from her which is the only meaningful possession she holds on to. Well, she grows alone in the chamber of Lahore with no other engagement other than taking care of her father and brother. However, as she turns 16, her life again takes a whole new turn when she falls in love with a 55- year-old King of Punjab- Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sher-e-Punjab Ranjit Singh was the only hope for India to come out of the British rule since he was a decisive, well-built and mighty king who would die for his people. For Jindan, their first meeting was enough to decide whether she wants to spend her life with him. Nevertheless, coming from a lower-income group, Jindan was extremely hesitant to ask him since he was their king. But, with all her courage, she asked him to marry her. Well, he too was in love with her and as soon as she turned 18, he married her. 

(Part-2 Bride) In the next part, Jindan is now the Queen of Punjab and far away from being a child now. From here, the politics of the elite starts where Ranjit Singh’s 1st wife creates troubles and instances for Jindan since she was the youngest, prettiest and the most favourite of the king. Sarkar (Maharaja) gives her all the freedom, luxury and love since no one accepts her in the walls of zenana. Well, when she turns 20, she gives birth to an heir, Duleep Singh. While she was enjoying the most in her life-luxury, a queen’s position, a loving husband, and a soft healthy child, soon everything runs out for her. Maharaja Ranjit Singh dies.

 (Part-3 Queen) Since the biggest support of her life was gone, she had to flee with her child or else the people in zenana would kill her since her child could be a threat for the king's 1st children. From here, an instability in the empire starts because the successors were far incompetent to rule, especially in the world of Britishers. Due to multiple wars, all the maharaja’s children were killed and the only hope lit when Jinden and Duleep returned to the throne when Duleep turned 8. Since Duleep was a minor, the rule was in the hands of Jindan and again the sikh empire roared with courage. There were tremendous difficulties, but with strong knowledge of politics, Jindan won` over it. However, seeing her growing power, the Britishers took Duleep away from her and imprisoned her.

So, from here the last part (Part-4 Rebel) started! 

After years and years, when Duleep turned 21, Jindan was released. Their meeting, however, turned out to be very different. Duleep was forced to turn completely into a Christian which was saddening for Jindan since she had been fighting for her country, for her religion, for her people to remain the way they are. But in the end, since the Britishers were tremendously strong, she was defeated and soon she died leaving a huge mark in the history.