In this episode of NL Recess, author Chitra B Divakaruni joins Newslaundry’s Manisha Pande to discuss her latest book, Last Queen, which tells the story of Rani Jindan Kaur, a historical figure who is “unlike other heroines of Indian resistance”, as Chitra puts it.

Chitra explains that it was important to her to write about Rani Jindan. “She is worth bringing back into our memory because she was a fighter,” she said, explaining how she had broken conventional norms, led soldiers, and was later imprisoned in Chinar Fort.

Chitra also talks about the difference in the representation of men and women in history and her own women-centric approach to writing. She says she strives to retell the stories of amazing women in mythology and history who were otherwise portrayed as being meek.

Watch.

Text by Ritika Chauhan.