The Tragic Life Of Princess Gowramma

On 24 April 1834 CE, Chikavira Rajendra was deposed after losing the Coorg War against the British East India Company. Under Army officer James Stuart Fraser’s orders, the kingdom was annexed to British India, and the king was taken as a political prisoner in Benaras.

King Chikka Virarajendra spent around 14 years there, and in 1852, travelled to London with his 11-year-old daughter Gouramma to demand the British government return his ancestral wealth, and that his daughter be provided care and a secure future under Christianity.

The two became the first Indians to arrive on Britain’s turf. He was accompanied by his good friend Dr. Willian Jeafersson, who advised the king to first bring up matters surrounding Gouramma’s future and then fight his case for his rightful property.

The report of Illustrated London News on their arrival in 1852 stated highlighted how the "Hindoo faith" was being "abandoned for the truths of the Christian religion" and that Princess Gouramma was described as a "pigeon among crows" and the "fairest of the clock".

This might provide insight into why the young princess was readily accepted by Queen Victoria, who declared herself Gouramma’s godmother, and had her baptized. The baptism was a highly publicised affair. The Queen gave Gouramma her own name, and she was thus known as Princess Victoria Gouramma of Coorg.

The young princess was taken under the care of Major and Mrs. Drummond, an army couple who educated her and familiarized her with western ideologies. Princess Gouramma was a natural socialite and was often reported as being elegant, jovial, and lived a highly publicized life. She was also reportedly doted upon by the Queen. However, Dr. Atwal said this scrutiny, both public and within palace grounds, did not always suit her well, and she often wished for a life of more privacy and independence.

Queen Victoria, in the hopes of furthering Christianity in India, decided to don the role of matchmaker, says C P Belliappa in his book, "Victoria Gouramma: The Lost Princess of Coorg". Here, she was introduced to Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, and another casualty among Queen Victoria’s 'adopted godchildren'. He was exiled to Britain at the age of 15, and in 1853, was converted to Christianity, though it is said this was a decision filled with regret and remorse (he would eventually revert to Sikhism in 1886).

The Palace attempted to bring Princess Gouramma and Maharaja Duleep Singh together in marriage. While both were never attracted to one another, what developed instead was a strong camaraderie, and the Maharaja would often call the Princess as his 'honourary sister'. From here began Princess Gouramma’s disillusionment with the Royal Family, and she instead fell for 50-year-old army colonel John Campbell.

While Princess Gouramma had been keeping up pretences on the outside, her deteriorating health had been largely ignored by those around her. She was known to often cough up blood and remain weak.

Meanwhile, the illusion of a happy marriage was shattered when she became privy to Campbell’s gambling habits, and that he was only interested in her wealth. Tragically, Gouramma died of tuberculosis aged 23, just a few months short of her 23rd birthday. She died when her beloved daughter Edith was just three years old.