Queen Farah of Roop Nagar

4 November 1930

East Bengal, British India

The train of the British Eastern Bengal Railway was going to the East of the British India. Major Michael Armstrong of the Indian Political Service was in a first class compartment of the train. He was going to Roop Nagar, a native Muslim state of British India. There were many native states in British India. Roop Nagar was one of them. It was under the British crown but it was ruled by a Muslim King Sher Osman. There was also the British Resident Sir Richard Henry and Major Armstrong was going to work as his assistant. Major Micheal Armstrong was an Army officer of the British Indian Army. After he was injured in a skirmish near the Afghan border against the Pathan tribes he was transferred to the Indian Political Service. For a few years he worked with the British residents of Polashpore state in North Bengal and also Jaipur State. Then he was transferred to Roop Nagar.

The train stopped at Roop Nagar Rail Station. Roop Nagar Rail Station was more modern than other rail stations in British India because King Sher Osman started modernising his native state in European standard. Unlike other areas of British India the army and police service of Roop Nagar do not use Khaki uniforms. Their uniforms were imported from other European countries. The King Sher Osman himself and his Queen dressed like European royalties and they used more European dresses than South Asian dresses. A big photograph of the King and Queen was hanging on the rail station. Armstrong looked at the photograph and his heart ached.

That night Armstrong stayed at Sir Richard Henry's house and Sir Henry told him that they would visit the Royal Palace for an audience with the King on the following day. On the next morning
Sir Henry and Major Armstrong went to the Royal Palace by the Resident's car. The Royal Palace followed the Mughal style and it was constructed when King Sher Osman's forefathers were appointed rulers of this land by the Mughal Emperor of India. The Grand Vizier of Roop Nagar escorted the resident and Armstrong to the King's office. The King Sher Osman was wearing a Maroon trousers and light blue blazer. King Osman welcomed Major Armstrong to Roop Nagar. While they were having coffee, the Queen Farah entered the room. She was wearing riding dress as she came after her morning riding. The Queen Farah came to King Sher Osman and kissed him. Major Armstrong's heart ached again.

Four years ago Major Micheal Armstrong was the Aide-de-camp (ADC) of the British resident of Polashpore native state. Queen Farah was a Princess of Polashpore state. Major Armstrong was overwhelmed by the beauty of the young Princess of Polashpore and he secretly wrote love letters to her. Princess Farah also became weak about Major Armstrong and she also sent letters to Major Armstrong. For the strict purdah system of Polashpore, the Princess and the Major could not meet face to face but they exchanged letters. Then one day Sir Hugh Buckingham, the British Resident of Polashpore became aware of this sensitive secret and he summoned Major Armstrong. “A love letter from a British officer to a Princess can not only cause a scandal but it can also harm the relationship between His Majesty’s Government and the State of Polashpore. You have been transferred to Jaipur State and you are forbidden to maintain any kind of liaison with the Princess.If you contact the Princess, you will face court martial and send back to the UK”. Sir Buckingham told Armstrong coldly.

In the next available train Major Armstrong left Polashpore and he did not write any single letter to Princess Farah. In Jaipur, he met Laura James, a nursing officer of the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service of British Army and got married to her. Two years later he saw an Indian newspaper which informed “Princess Farah of Polashpore married King Sher Osman of Roop Nagar and became Queen Farah of Roop Nagar”.


Major Armstrong was drinking his afternoon tea in the Resident’s House. An orderly came and handed him an envelop. Armstrong opened the envelope, which was bearing the Coat of Arms of Roop Nagar and he started reading the letter. It said:

Dear Major Micheal Armstrong,

Yesterday, I was surprised to see you after four years. Four years ago when you suddenly disappeared from Polashpore, I was shocked and I suffered from depression for months. I loved you and I thought I was betrayed by you. However later I understood you had to work for greater interest for Great Britain and sometimes human beings have to sacrifice their minor interest for the interest of the majority. Two years ago I married the King Sher Osman of Roop Nagar for the interest of our two states. First I thought I can not love again in my life but I was wrong. I love my husband King Sher Osman madly and deeply. I know you are married but still I feel if you stay in Roop Nagar in future that might create complications. For this reason, I talked to the wife of the Viceroy of British India. She is a friend of mine and she told me you would be transferred from Roop Nagar very soon. One more request please burn this letter and envelop after you read it.
Sincerely,

Queen Farah of Roop Nagar

Few days later Major Micheal Armstrong was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and he along with his wife were transferred to British Army in the UK. After serving in British India for twenty years Micheal Armstrong left British India forever.

That night Queen Farah of Roop Nagar showered her husband King Sher Osman of Roop Nagar with kisses. Queen Farah was kissing her husband King Osman and thinking;“I loved some one else but now I love my husband.”