The Lost Heer challenges the male-dominated narratives of colonial Punjab by spotlighting the resilience and contributions of its women. While history has largely framed them as daughters, wives, and widows upholding male honor, this book shifts the focus—drawing from archives, oral histories, and regional literature to reclaim their stories. From Aas Kaur and Bibi Sahib Kaur to forgotten pioneers like Dr. Premdevi and Khadija Begum Ferozeuddin, The Lost Heer offers a fresh, vital perspective on Punjab’s past.
About The Author:
Harleen Singh is a writer and researcher focusing on the social and literary history of colonial Punjab and the North West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan).
Born and raised in Delhi, Harleen’s interest in history was sparked by the Partition experiences of his grandparents, whose stories he heard growing up. These personal histories sparked his interest in oral history as a means of preserving these narratives.
In 2014, Harleen began documenting the stories of Partition survivors, which led to the creation of The Lost Heer Project in 2018, dedicated to uncovering the largely forgotten narratives of women in colonial Punjab.
Based in Toronto, Harleen is currently researching the historical relationship between the twin cities of Lahore and Amritsar.
The official release for the book is March 31st 2025.
