Princess Amrit Kaur was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, in 1889, the daughter of Prince Harnam Singh, son of Sikh Maharajah of Kapurthala.
In September 1902, Amrit’s father sent her to Sherborne School for Girls where she was a member of Headmistress Beatrice Mulliner’s house. Amrit remained at Sherborne Girls’ until July 1905, becoming Head Girl and School Games Captain.
During the First World War Amrit helped found the Indian Red Cross for which she served as Chairperson for 14 years. She was secretary to Mahatma Gandhi for 16 years, and from 1947 to 1957 served as India’s first Minister of Health in Nehru’s government, becoming the first woman to hold cabinet rank.
In 1950, Amrit was elected President of the World Health Assembly, the first woman and first Asian to hold the post.
She co-founded the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and served as the Chairperson of the All India Women’s Education Fund Association. She worked to reduce illiteracy and eradicate child marriages and the purdah system for women.
In 1964 Amrit was awarded the René Sand Prize for distinguished social service on the world’s stage.
Rachel Hassall
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