Photograph, photographic print

This image of Sophia was printed in the April 18th 1913 edition of the weekly The Suffragette newspaper. It illustrated an article announcing Suffragette Week of April 24th-May 3rd that aimed to double circulation of the newspaper. The article included a list of 10 ways to achieve increased sales of the paper including urging members to obtain new yearly subscriptions and 'make a special effort with street sales'.
Born in London in 1876, Sophia was the daughter of the exiled Maharajah of Lahore, the capital of Punjab. She was converted to the militant Votes for Women cause when visiting the home of the Suffragette Una Dugdale. Sophia became a regular speaker at the branch meetings of the Richmond WSPU and was often seen selling The Suffragette newspaper outside the entrance to Hampton Court Palace where she been given the use of an apartment by her Godmother Queen Victoria. In November 1910 Sophia took part in the notorious deputation to the House of Commons, known as 'Black Friday that resulted in a violent confrontation with the police.
Sophia was also a member of the Tax Resistance League, formed in 1909 by female taxpayers to conduct an organised campaign against the injustice of having to pay tax without having representation in parliament. Sophia was fined twice in 1911 for her refusal to pay tax.
This resulted in the issue of warrants to seize goods from her apartment to the vale of fines and taxes owed. In May 1911 a pearl necklace and gold bangle were seized from Sophia and sold at auction at Twickenham Town Hall where they were bought by the Tax Resistance League and returned to her.
In July 1911 the authorities seized her diamond ring in lieu of taxes owed. This was also purchased at auction by a fellow member of the TRL at auction and returned to Sophia. After 1914 Sophia remained loyal to Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, taking part in the Women's War Work Procession in 1915. On the death of Emmeline Pankhurst in 1928, Sophia became president of the committee in charge of providing flowers for her memorial statue.