Biographies reading list

• Campbell, Christy

The maharajah's box : an imperial story of conspiracy, love and a guru's prophecy. London: HarperCollins, 2001

The story of Duleep Singh, last King of the Sikhs, who was brought to England as a boy following the annexation of his Kingdom by the British after the two Anglo-Sikh wars of the 1840s. With him came the famous Koh-I-Noor diamond. As an adult, despite being favoured by Queen Victoria, he turns his back on England and tries to regain his position in India.

Besides the impact this makes on his personal life, the book describes how he becomes embroiled in the 'Great Game' between England and Russia – whose help he tries to enlist. Fact is truly stranger than fiction and pages continue to turn.

The book contains relevant photos and there are full indexes and other references for the scholar. A most interesting and informative read! (reviewed by Beverly Hallam, a FIBIS trustee)

• Bennett, Mary

Who was Dr Jackson? : two Calcutta families, 1830-55. London: BACSA, 2002

[A review will shortly be posted for this recommended title]