Did you know there is an Indian Princess buried in Doddinghurst, near Brentwood? Come and find out more about Princess Helen of Karpurthla, and the Punjabi heritage on your doorstep, with this pop-up exhibition that is touring Essex Libraries, starting at Brentwood.

Tour Dates

Brentwood Library: 7 August – 4 Sept
Chipping Ongar Library: 11 September – 2 October
Loughton Library: 9 – 30 October
Basildon Library: 6 November – 2 November
Billericay Library: 4 December – January (tbc)

Did you know there is an Indian Princess buried in Doddinghurst, near Brentwood?

Come and find out more about Princess Helen Rundeer Singh Alhuwalia of Karpurthla, and the Punjabi heritage on your doorstep, with a pop-up exhibition curated by Simran Bance hosted by five libraries across Essex.

Helen was the daughter of Randhir Singh, the ruling Maharajah in the state of Kapurthala in Punjab, and his third Rani Henrietta Melvina. She lived a short but interesting life. Over the last few months Essex Cultural Diversity Project have been unearthing her fascinating story and looking into her heritage, with the help of Sikh historians and the local community.

Thanks to a Community Fund grant from Brentwood Borough Council and National Lottery Heritage Fund, we bring you Helen’s story on a new website, film and a touring exhibition. Thanks also to Essex Libraries for hosting the exhibition.

Visit the website at www.helenahluwalia.com