Last Updated:June 12, 2025, 08:23 IST
Princess Gobind Kaur of Kapurthala defied royal norms, lived boldly, and gave up palace life to live in exile with her lover. Her tale remains one of scandal and love
Princess Gobind Kaur’s story remains a remarkable account of rebellion, love, and a fall from royal grace to rural obscurity. (Representative Image/AI Generated)
India’s princely states were famed for their opulence, particularly during British rule. Among the many colourful figures from that era, Princess Gobind Kaur of Kapurthala stood out for her beauty, boldness, and defiant spirit, earning her the nickname Desi Cleopatra.
A Princess Who Set Her Own Terms
When she married, Princess Gobind Kaur made an unusual demand: she would not move to her husband’s home, which was only 10 km away. Instead, she insisted on remaining in Kapurthala. The then Maharaja, Nihal Singh, arranged for the couple to reside in a separate palace near the royal estate.
Diwan Jarmani Dass, in his book Maharaja, recounted her lavish lifestyle in a six-storey palace where she would often gaze down at the townspeople from her balcony.
A Life Of Luxury And Scandal
Princess Gobind Kaur became well known for her extravagant lifestyle and romantic entanglements. Estranged from her husband, who eventually chose to reside outside the palace, the princess frequently entertained handsome young men under various pretexts. It is said that even palace guards played a role in facilitating her affairs.
These episodes earned her the moniker Desi Cleopatra, a reference to both her beauty and her defiance of conventional royal decorum.
The Controversial Romance With The Prime Minister
Among her many liaisons, the story of Princess Gobind Kaur’s love affair with the Muslim Prime Minister of Kapurthala, Nawab Ghulam Gilani, was widely known during its time. Nawab Ghulam Gilani, who held official meetings at his stately residence located approximately a mile from the princess’s palace, found a way to maintain clandestine contact with her. An underground tunnel was constructed between their residences, allowing the two to meet in complete secrecy.
Love At First Sight
Nawab Ghulam Gilani, known for his tall stature and striking appearance, often dressed in a long coat and silk pyjamas, his neatly groomed beard adding to his charm. He had long heard tales of Princess Gobind Kaur’s extraordinary beauty. One day, upon seeing her standing on the palace rooftop, drying her hair in the sun, he was instantly captivated.
Determined to pursue her, Nawab Ghulam Gilani managed to win over one of the princess’s maids through his staff and sent a discreet message expressing his desire to meet her. The princess responded positively. Their initial meeting quickly blossomed into a deep and passionate affair. However, the challenge remained: how to meet without arousing suspicion.
A Tunnel Of Love
To maintain the secrecy of their encounters, a tunnel was dug from the Prime Minister’s residence to the palace. The two would often rendezvous via this underground passage.
On some occasions, it was believed, the princess would go to even greater lengths, disguising herself as a maid and hiding in the trunk of the Prime Minister’s horse-drawn carriage. Once outside the city limits, she would emerge, and the two would embrace, free from the watchful eyes of the court.
The affair continued in secrecy until it was discovered, resulting in Nawab Ghulam Gilani’s dismissal from office and the princess’s confinement within palace grounds
Her Greatest Love: Colonel Varyam Singh
Despite her many romances, it was Colonel Varyam Singh, a senior military officer, who captured her heart most truly and deeply.
Colonel Varyam Singh, a high-ranking officer in the state’s army, first encountered Princess Gobind Kaur during an inspection of the palace guards. Upon seeing her, he was instantly taken by her beauty and elegance. However, meeting the princess posed a significant challenge. The palace was heavily guarded, and royal protocol strictly forbade the princess from venturing outside.
A Clever Plan To Reach The Princess
Determined to find a way, Colonel Varyam Singh devised an ingenious plan. A well stood adjacent to the palace’s outer wall. With the help of one of the princess’s maids, he created a hidden opening near the wall that allowed him to reach the base of the well. Each night, the maid would lower a rope, enabling Colonel Varyam Singh to climb up silently and enter the palace unseen.
From there, he would make his way directly to the princess’s chambers, where Princess Gobind Kaur would be dressed and waiting to receive him. The two would spend the night together in secret. Before dawn, Colonel Varyam Singh would retrace his steps, exiting via the same concealed route. Once outside, he would carefully reseal the bricks to erase any evidence of his entry.
Their romance lasted for two years before it came to the attention of Sardar Danishmand, the state’s Home Minister.
From Royalty To Rural Simplicity
After their love affair was exposed, the couple fled through a secret tunnel and settled in a village, far from the grandeur of court life. They built a modest hut and embraced a simple lifestyle; Varyam Singh took to ploughing the fields while the princess, once accustomed to luxury, made cow dung cakes for fuel.
Despite her regal heritage, Princess Gobind Kaur adapted to her new life with grace, far removed from the opulence of her youth. Thus concludes the tale of a princess whose passion and defiance led her away from palace splendour to a quiet life of humble simplicity.
- Location :
Punjab, India, India
- First Published:
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