Netflix's new period drama House of Guinness has won over viewers across the globe with its narrative of the Irish Guinness family's brewing dynasty and family secrets against the backdrop of 19th-century Dublin. Written by Steven Knight, the gripping series delves into Victorian Ireland's power and rivalry..
But what of Punjab? Is there a connection between the Guinnesses and colourful Ludhiana? The answer will be a shock to many.
There is no Punjab in the series, but there are roots in real life
The television program itself is geographically based in Ireland, with action in Dublin, London, and New York. There is no narrative or location point of filming associated with Punjab. Behind the scenes, however, the personal connections of the Guinness family stretch out to Ludhiana in a special manner.
Rory Guinness, grandson of the late Rupert Guinness, is married to Mira Maini, a lady who has her roots with Ludhiana in India. Mira's father, Dr. Yoginder Nath Tidu Maini, narrated the history of their ancestral mansion named Africa House in Ludhiana's old city.
Dr. Maini’s grandfather, Amarnath Maini, left Ludhiana in 1896 to study at Roorkee University and then set off for East Africa, landing in Mombasa. He went on to become the first mayor of Kampala and a prominent figure in East Africa. The Maini family’s journey spans continents, from Punjab to Africa and Europe.
Mira brought Rory and their three children to Ludhiana in 2005 to see Africa House and experience their roots. Rory was moved by the experience and inspired by the energy and hospitality of Punjab, admiring the iconic Amritsari kulcha and vibrant culture he was exposed to.
The Guinness family have a legacy of supporting those in need in Dublin. Following this example, Dr. Maini is collaborating with groups in Ludhiana, such as the Bharti Mittal Foundation, to fund education for disadvantaged children in the area, a lovely way of repaying their Indian heritage.
Adding one more layer to this incredible tale, the Guinness family also owns Elveden Hall in England. This magnificent estate was the home of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last maharaja of the Sikh Empire, who resided there in exile. His is a royal link between the history of Punjab and the Guinness heritage.
While there is an Irish story told on screen with House of Guinness, the actual history behind the Guinness family is intertwined with rich threads of links to Punjab. These remind us of how the culture and history of families stretch across nations, forging bridges where we'd never expect them.
No Punjab plot, then, in the series, but the Ludhiana ethos lives on in the Guinness family's own journey and in their desire to preserve those roots for generations to come.