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Lives Shaped By Empire Source Bank

Follow one family's story from Punjab to England through a series of historic sources

About this learning resource

Format: Power Point Presentation

Bring our exhibition The Last Princesses of Punjab to your classroom.

This resource showcases several objects which reveal how empire shaped the lives of one remarkable family. It features several significant women of South-Asian heritage.

Use high-quality images, primary sources, and audio recordings from our curators to explore this families life.

You do not need to visit the exhibition in person to use this resource.

Check out the notes section under the PowerPoint slides for extra information.

Resource Information

Key Stage

  • Home Educators
  • KS2 (age 7-11)
  • KS3 (age 11-14)
  • KS4 (age 15-16)
  • KS5 (age 16+)
  • International Schools

Subjects

  • History

Topic

  • Empire
  • Diverse Histories
  • Victorians
  • Migration

Type

  • Historic sources
  • Images
  • Lesson ideas
  • Before you visit

Palace

  • Kensington Palace
Back to learning resources

Suggested activities

  • Encourage students to look closely at the different sources
  • Use the questions to explore the family's experience
  • Read the suggested answers in the notes section (under the PowerPoint slides)
  • Listen to the audio clips about each object to discover more
  • Reflect on how their lives were shaped by empire

Designed for differentiation

This resource is designed to be flexible and fully editable so teachers can choose what works best for their students.

Some students may engage best with the images and audio clips. Others might benefit from exploring the background information and completing the enquiry questions. 

Unmounted silver print photograph of Princesses Sophia and Catherine Duleep Singh at a Suffrage dinner.

Sophia Duleep Singh

Read more about the Punjabi Princess who fought for women’s rights.

Discover videos and classroom activities that explore India, the British Empire and the Suffragettes through the incredible life of Sophia Duleep Singh.

Key Stage

  • KS3 (age 11-14)
  • KS4 (age 15-16)

Subject

  • History
  • PSHE

Topic

  • 20th & 21st Century
  • Empire
  • Diverse Histories

This guide supports school groups preparing for an onsite visit to the Kensington Palace to see the Last Princesses of Punjab exhibition including background information and suggested questions to use with your learners before, during and after your visit.

Key Stage

  • Home Educators
  • International Schools
  • KS3 (age 11-14)
  • KS4 (age 15-16)
  • KS5 (age 16+)
  • SEND

Subject

  • History
  • PSHE
  • Citizenship

Topic

  • 20th & 21st Century
  • Victorians
  • Migration
  • Diverse Histories

A illustrated timeline showing important events from 2600 BCE to today. The timeline highlights key moments across Europe, England and The World.

Key Stage

  • Home Educators
  • KS1 (age 5-7)
  • KS2 (age 7-11)
  • KS3 (age 11-14)
  • KS4 (age 15-16)
  • KS5 (age 16+)
  • International Schools

Subject

  • History

Topic

  • Normans
  • Medieval
  • Tudors
  • Stuarts
  • Georgians
  • Victorians
  • 20th & 21st Century