Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary book review: Anand's subject comes alive 

Sophia was the daughter of Duleep Singh, pictured, who was the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire

But broadcaster Anita Anand\'s biography of little–known Victorian suffragette and Indian émigré Sophia Duleep Singh is gripping enough to justify the hype.

Sophia was born in England in 1876, the daughter of the once–dazzling Duleep Singh, a transplanted Indian Maharajah who had been taken up by English society, including Queen Victoria.

However his behaviour was often extravagant and shocking and after an ill–fated second marriage to an actress he died a pauper\'s death.

Sophia, Victoria\'s goddaughter, acclimatised to English society rather better.

Granted lodgings at Hampton Court she attended balls and dressed in the latest fashions.

In late 1906 a visit to India reignited a dormant sense of social justice.

She returned to England determined to campaign for the rights of the Indian military and women.

She became familiar with Emmeline Pankhurst and was involved in street fights, most notably at a Westminster demonstration in 1910.

Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary by Anita Anand book cover [PH]

Sophia is so well researched that this is likely to remain a definitive account.

It also sheds light on its period and has new things to say about 19th and 20th century Anglo–Indian relations.

She is dutifully journalistic rather than inspired, her poetic metaphors often sound strained.

Likewise, entering into her subject\'s mind at key points, as we are told how Sophia felt or acted, verges on fictionalisation.

She notes that Sophia\'s sole interest in Who\'s Who was "the advancement of women".

With this enthralling story she has advanced Sophia considerably.

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