Jul 21, 2024, 07:40 PM IST
Maharani Jindan Kaur was the last queen of the Sikh Empire, married to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and mother of Maharaja Dalip Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh Empire.
Born in 1817, Jindan Kaur was a powerful and influential figure, known for her political acumen and bravery.
After the death of her husband, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in 1839, Jindan Kaur became the regent for her young son, Maharaja Dalip Singh, who was only five years old.
Her regency was marked by significant internal and external challenges, including power struggles with British colonial forces and rival factions within the Sikh court.
Jindan Kaur fiercely resisted British attempts to control the Sikh Empire. She sought to maintain her son's throne and the independence of the empire.
The British, aiming to consolidate their control, eventually forced Jindan Kaur into exile in 1849. She continued to resist British rule from abroad.
She made a dramatic return to India in 1851, but her efforts to reclaim power were unsuccessful. She spent her final years in relative obscurity.
Jindan Kaur is remembered as a symbol of resistance and strength, her struggle highlighting the challenges faced by the Sikh Empire during the British expansion in India.