Royals and Rebels

In late-eighteenth-century India, the glory of the Mughal emperors was fading, and ambitious newcomers seized power, changing the political map forever. Enter the legendary Maharajah Ranjit Singh, whose Sikh Empire stretched throughout northwestern India into Afghanistan and Tibet.

Priya Atwal shines fresh light on this long-lost kingdom, looking beyond its founding father to restore the queens and princes to the story of this empire's spectacular rise and fall. She brings to life a self-made ruling family, inventively fusing Sikh, Mughal and European ideas of power, but eventually succumbing to gendered family politics, as the Sikh Empire fell to its great rival in the new India: the British.

Royals and Rebels is a fascinating tale of family, royalty, and the fluidity of power, set in a dramatic global era when new stars rose and upstart empires clashed.

'An intricate masterpiece laden with gems as old as the empire itself.' - Brown Girl Magazine

'Smart, timely and fresh, from an exciting new voice in history writing.' - Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces, and presenter of Royal History's Biggest Fibs

'A wonderfully vivid appraisal of a fascinating period of Indian history. Atwal's work is serious and captivating. A welcome new voice, with much to teach us.' - Anita Anand, broadcaster and author of The Patient Assassin, Sophia, and Koh-i-Noor

'Gripping! A new history that marvellously expands the horizons of our knowledge.' - Shashi Tharoor, Indian MP and author of Inglorious Empire