Back

Suffragette Sophia Duleep Singh

1910

Suffragette Sophia Duleep Singh

Share

  • Intro

    Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh, was a member of the Women’s Social and Political Union. She campaigned for votes for women nationally as well as locally in Richmond and Kingston-upon-Thames. She was often seen selling the newspaper The Suffragette outside Hampton Court Palace where she lived - her father had been close to Queen Victoria, and the family were given the use of the Palace’s apartment rooms.On 18 November 1910, known as ‘Black Friday’, she led a 400-strong demonstration to parliament together with Mrs Pankhurst. As clashes broke out between the police and protestors, over 150 women were physically assaulted.

     

    Sophia was not the only Indian suffragette. An Indian women’s group took part in the 1911 coronation procession of 60,000 suffragettes.

     

    Sophia also belonged to the Women’s Tax Resistance League, whose slogan was ‘No Vote, No Tax’. Her refusal to pay tax led to her prosecution several times and some of her valuable possessions were impounded. A committed campaigner for women’s rights and an active fundraiser, she was often seen selling the newspaper The Suffragette outside Hampton Court Palace.

     

    Shelfmark: IOR L/PS/11/52, (letter P1608 1913)

  • Image

  • Transcript

    Letter to Lord Crewe, dated 21st April 1913

    Lord Crewe,

    Sir William Connington telephoned to me about this picture which appeared in this weeks' Suffragette. He asked "if anything could be done to stop her." We have no financial hold over the Dhuleep Singh Princesses, but of course it is for the King to say whether her conduct is such as should call for her eviction from The Lodging she now enjoys in Hampton Court by his Majesty's favour. May I so reply to Sir W. Connington.

Explore more timeline content: