The Princess Diaries: How Kolkata Found A Place In Jordan’s Palace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jordan has shed a fresh light on the longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties between India and the Hashemite Kingdom. While modern relations are built on strategic cooperation and trade, there exists a remarkably personal and historical link between the two nations through Princess Sarvath El Hassan. Born Sarvath Ikramullah in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1947, she represents a living bridge between the Indian subcontinent and the Jordanian throne.

The story of Princess Sarvath is one of an illustrious South Asian lineage merging with West Asian royalty. She was born into a distinguished family of diplomats and intellectuals just months before the Partition of India. Her father, Mohammed Ikramullah, was a senior

member of the Indian Civil Service who later became Pakistan’s first foreign secretary. Her mother, Begum Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah, was a prominent politician, diplomat, and one of the first female members of Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly. Notably, Princess Sarvath is also the niece of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, the former Prime Minister of undivided Bengal and later the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

From Kolkata to the Hashemite Throne

Princess Sarvath’s journey to the Jordanian royal court began in London, where she met Prince Hassan bin Talal, the brother of the late King Hussein of Jordan. The couple married in Karachi in 1968. For over three decades, from 1965 to 1999, Prince Hassan served as the Crown Prince of Jordan, making Princess Sarvath the Crown Princess during one of the most transformative eras in the modern history of West Asia.

Throughout her tenure, Princess Sarvath remained deeply influenced by her South Asian heritage, often seen in the elegant sarees she wore to state functions, blending the traditions of her birth with the customs of her adopted home. She became a formidable figure in Jordan, focusing heavily on education, social welfare, and the empowerment of women. She founded the Young Muslim Women’s Association in 1972 and was instrumental in establishing the Amman Baccalaureate School, which remains one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the region.

A Legacy of Cultural Synthesis

The presence of a Kolkata-born princess in the Jordanian royal family has historically provided a unique soft-power advantage to Indo-Jordanian relations. Her upbringing in a family that was at the heart of the subcontinent’s intellectual and political life meant that the Jordanian court had an intimate understanding of Indian culture and history long before modern diplomatic frameworks were solidified.

This historical context adds a layer of depth to Prime Minister Modi’s current engagements in Amman. Jordan has long been a key partner for India in the West Asian region, particularly regarding energy security and counter-terrorism. However, the “Sarvath Connection” serves as a reminder that the relationship is not merely transactional. It is rooted in a shared history of the 20th century, where families from the bustling streets of Kolkata could find themselves at the pinnacle of leadership in the Arab world. As India continues to expand its “Link West” policy, the enduring legacy of Princess Sarvath El Hassan remains a testament to the abiding human and cultural ties that bind the Indian subcontinent to the Hashemite Kingdom.