The Unforgettable last-queen

 This is the first time, I have come across a book written by the prolific Indian American writer Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. I have heard about her writings few years back, since then I had been looking for an opportunity to experience it earnestly. On International Women’s day, her The Last Queen emerged in the pool of books and I dint miss any opportunity to grab it at once. 

It’s a historical fiction based on the last queen of Punjab, Rani Jindan. From the first page till the end, it will  trap you within its pages, such is its aura. Divakurani has adorned this novel with beads of interesting facts blanket with her own imaginary petals.  Its an unputdownable piece which will make you reluctant to finish it in a single seating.

This story depicts upon how despite being a daughter of a kennel keeper of  Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Jindan established her position in the royal realm that too with poignance and her profound intelligence. She imparts upon us her strong determination to achieve her mission and ushers us, how desperately she chases after it without yielding in for once. Her intense patriotism for India has made her the Mother of Khalsa army in Punjab and undoubtedly she became the Lioness of Punjab with her chivalrous acts. In reaching her milestone, she has to undergo bounty of adversities in life which would have appeared unbearable to most of the ordinary people. It was Jindan who endured every suffering tightening her teeth persevering a better future for her loved ones.

Each and every demonstration of Jindan’s strife seems adequate to boil your blood with anger against not only the brutal british tyrants prevailed at that time but also the conspiratory, selfish minded Indians as well. Indians who were soaked in the administration led by the Britishers, were mostly boot-licking of their masters and they treated Jindan and many more patriots in a terribly disgraceful manner, that has been portrayed by Divakurani in a poignant fashion.

Frangrance of feminism is peppered all over the piece here and there. Especially when Queen  Jindan appeared herself in front of the Khalsa army without any veil which is an immensely chivalric act carried out in an unanticipated way. There lay several instances  which are utterly controversial at that contemporary time,  encompass all over the novel. The bold demonstration of her basic inner instinct is another instance which cements her personality as a quintessential blood and flesh human being. Examples like these make this written piece more credible and realistic to its readers like me.

However, no more dragging it any further, I would like to enwrap it by recommending this interesting as well as intriguing historical fiction to everyone, as they will sail witness an impeccable experience while sailing through this novel one page after another.