The Veil & The Sword unveiled

Instagram post: The Chandigarh Literary Society announcement on Instagram.

Ranjit Powar is on a roll. Her latest book, The Veil & The Sword: Women in the Court and Life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, published by Om Books International, was launched at the Chandigarh Literary Society's CLF Literati Spring Fest on 28 March 2026.

A much-awaited event, the launch of this book marked yet another feather in the cap of this multi-faceted person who is seeped in the ethos of the region, and is making up for lost time by writing about it ever since she put in her papers and devoted herself to actively engaging with what she wanted to, serving the people of Punjab rather then the government.

Book launched: From left: Navreet Grewal, Sumita Misra, Ranjit Powar, Samiya Singh, Roopinder Singh and Affan Yesvi.

I was honoured to be on the podium to launch the book, a work of historical fiction that highlights the crucial roles of women such as Rani Sada Kaur, Mehtab Kaur, Datar Kaur and Moran Sarkar in the Maharaja's life and the affairs of his empire.

On the dias with me were the moderator, Navreet Grewal; Chandigarh Literary Society’s chairperson, and Festival Director Dr. Sumita Misra; author of The Veil & the Sword, Dr. Ranjit Powar, Advocate Samiya Singh, and Affan Yesvi, who is listed as "editor, entrepreneur, poet and columnist," but is very much the man behind the scene for CLF Literati.

Engaging interaction: Navreet Grewal in conversation with the author, Ranjit Powar

Ranjit spoke with authority about the Maharaja and lifted the veil on her five-year research journey that provided the material for this 312-page book. History has, for too long, been "His story". This women-focused book adds the much-needed nuances that help us get a holistic picture of the events.

Audience engagement: A picture taken earlier in the day.

The much-anticipated event attracted a large number of friends, as you can see from the photograph we took as we were winding up and leaving.

The phulkari of Dr. Ranjit Powar's professional experience has multi-coloured threads in different hues.

Friends indeed: The author's friends gather for a group picture after the event.

Raen Bhaee Chahu Des

She has a PhD in psychology and an honours in English literature. She taught psychology at the Punjabi University, Patiala, before joining the Punjab State Services. Ranjit writes for national dailies and is a public speaker and podcaster.

In November, we released Raen Bhaee Chahu Des, the Punjabi version of her book. I wrote about that earlier in my blog.

She had other books to her credit and yet another title expected to be out within this year. Yes, as I said, Ranjit Powar, the author, is on a roll!