UK-based Sikh historian Peter Bance’s next book delves into the history of Punjab.
Last year, UK-based Sikh historian and writer Peter Bance had recorded the rather obscure life of Maharaja Duleep Singh in his coffee table book Sovereign, Squire and Rebel: Maharajah Duleep Singh. Encouraged by its success, Bance is back on the royal trail. This time, for his coffee table book on the erstwhile rulers of Punjab, he is traversing the state to gather research material.
The focus will be on the erstwhile princely states of Patiala, Jind, Nabha, Malerkotla and Kapurthala. “It will be about kings of the past and their royal women. I am getting images of the princesses in all their finery, who were often a part of the London social circle. They led interesting lives — one princess, for example, worked with the BBC,” he says, adding, “The present-day Maharajas are just bearers of titles and it is their ancient heritage that is engrossing. I want to present the fancy lives, houses, clothes and jewellery used by members of the royal families.”