I am Rani Jindan. Mother of the Khalsa. This is my identity, this is my destiny. The beautiful Jindan Kaur, daughter of a royal dog trainer, became the youngest and last queen of Maharaja Ranjit Singh; she was also his most beloved. When her son Duleep Singh unexpectedly inherited the throne at the age of six, she became his guardian. Sharp-eyed, stubborn, passionate and dedicated to protecting her son's legacy, Jindan distrusted the British and fought tooth and nail to prevent the British from taking over Punjab. Breaking tradition, she stepped out of the zenana, abandoned purdah and publicly officiated at the royal functions. Addressing the Khalsa troops, Jindan inspired them in two battles against the Firangis. Such was her power and influence that the British, fearing a revolt, took away everything the rebellious queen had, including her son, imprisoned her and then exiled her. But all this could not break her indomitable resolve. It is a great love story between a king and an ordinary girl, a cautionary tale about loyalty and betrayal, and a powerful tale of the unbreakable bond between a mother and son. This unforgettable novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni tells the story of one of the most fearless women of the 19th century and is an inspiration for today.