Customer Reviews

Memoirs of a Rebel Princess

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When saw this book I didn't know much about Princess Abida Sultaan but the photograph of a young princess with a sword on the cover attracted my attention initially. Princess Abida Sultaan was the heir apparent to the Muslim princely state of Bhopal in India before the creation of Pakistan. This is one princess who walked away from a life of luxury to follow the ideals set out for the newly created state of Pakistan.
As I started to read the book I couldn't keep it down. A truly amazing life led by this independent, strong willed, woman at a time and in a culture where it was not expected of her. I read in awe of this remarkable woman's life - a devoted mother first, then a stateswoman, a sports woman, a hunter and a pilot. A woman truly at peace with her culture and yet smart and open to change. I was particularly impressed by her honesty about her life - whether it came to the failure of her short marriage or any doubt she had while leaving Bhopal for a rough start in a new country where she had no roots.
I gained a lot of respect for this woman through her memoirs but I also felt deeply saddened by the fact that all her great skills, experience and talents were never fully put to use in Pakistan and recognized. She doesn't sound bitter about this lack of use of her innate abilities and her training as the heir apparent of the princely state of Bhopal after her move to Pakistan.
This book should be required text for all classes of South Asian history and women's studies. Its about time the Western world's image of Muslim women and South Asian women in particular be elevated from silk claden exotic creatures who only served a role to please and reproduce heirs.
I do regret never having the opportunity to meet an icon of an era and a generation such as Princess Abida.

A very well written, concise account of an amazing life whose owner did not lose her moral purpose and convictions. Very funny in parts, full of insight and vivd descriptions of early life in Bhopal. Very engaging and hard to put down. The author focusses on interesting and revealing anecdotes.

Princess Abida Sultan was a great woman; she still lives on in the hearts of the people she touched and the people of Karachi, the city she choose as her home.
She was a educated and learned person, who studied both worldly and religious subjects.
She is an example for the Muslim women of the world, who want to follow their religion properly and do great things as well.
She did great things, beating men while doing so!
What a woman!
Salutes and Cheers for her.