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It is rare to meet someone so completely captivated by a historical figure from the past. Sardar Peter Bance is one such individual. A quiet, unassuming man with a steely determination, Bance transformed himself into a researcher and historian to uncover every possible detail of the life of Maharaja Duleep Singh (1838-1893), the last ruler of Punjab.<\/p>\n
Bance\u2019s passion extended to the family as well. His latest book, \u2018The Last Royals of Lahore\u2019, has just been released in the UK (its India release is scheduled for mid-April). \u201cI realised that people who personally knew the family and had first-hand knowledge of their lives would soon be no more,\u201d he said. \u201cI felt compelled to document this important part of our history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born Bhupinder Singh Bance, he was raised in the UK after his family emigrated in 1936. His first trip to India came only in 2001. \u201cI was brought up to believe that to move forward, one must know one\u2019s roots,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n
A chance visit to a church near Elveden Hall, the estate of Maharaja Duleep Singh where he saw his grave, sparked a lifelong obsession. It led to three decades of intense research, the painstaking acquisition of several artefacts, and eventually the publication of three books on the Punjab royals. His first acclaimed book, \u2018Sovereign, Squire and Rebel\u2019 (2009), served as the basis for the 2017 British film, \u2018The Black Prince\u2019.<\/p>\n
Bance\u2019s relentless search for anyone who could shed light on the Maharaja or his children took him across Europe and Pakistan. \u201cIn many cases, people simply donated what they had to me because they felt I valued history and would protect their possessions,\u201d he recalled. Much of the memorabilia he collected now forms part of the London exhibition<\/p>\n
\u2018The Last Royals of Lahore\u2019 features Princess Catherine (1871-1942) on its cover. \u201cWhy must tales of royalty always centre on men?\u201d Bance says. \u201cDuleep Singh\u2019s daughters were strong, emancipated women, completely relevant to our times.\u201d<\/p>\n
Princess Catherine, he explains, was unconventional and insisted in her will on being buried next to her lover and governess, Lina. Known as the \u201cPunjabi Schindler\u201d, she rescued dozens of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany. Her younger sister, Sophia (1876-1948), fought for women\u2019s suffrage. Princess Bamba, the eldest, returned to Lahore, her father\u2019s birthplace, to spend her final years, passing away in 1957. \u201cThe story of the royals is relevant,\u201d Bance said. \u201cI\u2019m glad I was able to retrace their histories.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 The writer is a Delhi-based contributor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n