When they found out who Sophia really was, their confusion turned to awe. The soldiers could not believe that the granddaughter of Ranjit Singh sat beside them in a nurse's uniform. Of all the Indians at Lady Hardinge Hospital and Milford, the Punjabi soldiers were the most affected by Sophia's presence. Hardened Sikh fighters were bashful and tongue-tied. when they could muster the courage, they begged the princess for signed photographs.