A Queen’s Pledge: An Exploration of Courage and Resilience in the Face of Adversity of Maharani Jindan Kaur

The portrayal of sidelined groups in historic accounts has long been determined by dominant forces and imperial power. History prioritized the views of men, the elite, and the master class; thus, it led to the structural marginalization and distorted depiction of the subservient class and women. The protagonist Offred in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ puts forth marginalization: “We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print.” (Atwood ch.10). The female class, being subordinate in patriarchy, has been excluded from essential narratives for ages. However, as Miles asserts, “In history, there were women too.” (1) The proposed paper aims to spotlight the indefatigable spirit and unwavering resilience of one such unsung lady knight of Indian heritage, namely Maharani Jindan Kaur, by critical appraisal of Divakaruni’s novel The Last Queen. The novel highlights the unacknowledged contribution of the last female ruler of Punjab. Despite the venture, she has not been accorded due recognition in core history books. “For far too long, women’s voices and experiences have been marginalized or erased from the historical records, leading to a distorted understanding of the past.” (Harding 437) This study underlines the grit and flair of a fierce queen, Jindan Kaur, to fight the odds as a mighty leader. She upholds her dignity till her last breath and does not bow to her opponents. Moreover, it sets forth the mental toll of colonialism and misogyny she has to undergo in a patriarchal society.