A Sahib's Daughter

"A Sahib's Daughter" is set in the waning days of British imperialism in India. The merging of the two social cultures provides fodder for much of the novel's drama and conflict. Love crosses racial boundaries in the lives of three generations of women: grandmother Prava, her daughter, Ramona and granddaughter, Samira. Their fates are forever transformed through their encounters with British tea planters. It becomes evident that tea is not the only seed being planted by the British sahibs, and their exploits with local women result in a new mixed breed of offspring in a unique culture that came to be known as "Anglo-Indian."

Englishman Charles arrives in India with a broken heart and seeking adventure in the remote tea plantations of the Dooars. And when dashing young Indian, Ravi explodes into Samira's genteel world on his red motor cycle her life is never quite the same again. Her impulsive reactions lead her down a path of drama and disaster with Irishman Justin. When Justin's efforts at deception are dramatically exposed in the corridors of Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, Samira is faced with some difficult decisions.

Later, in Delhi, tempers explode and promises are broken just days before Radhika's society wedding. During the ensuing pandemonium, Samira's brother, Mark unexpectedly arrives on the scene with a revelation that rocks Ravi's world.

In a final twist we learn the true identity of Ramona, a secret her mother will take to her grave.