#GreatIndianWomen
#RaniDurgavati
#RealIcons
Once upon a time there was a brave lady, Rani Durgavati. She's more revered than any other we ever had. She died while gallantly leading her troops in their 3rd & last attempt to stem the torrent of Mughal invasion.
This is her story.

She had won all the 51 battles she fought in her lifetime.
She said, "It is better to die with glory, than to live with ignominy. Either I die or I will conquer..I have served my motherland for a long time, and at a time like this, I won’t let it be stained..".

She was born on 5th October, 1524 A.D. in the family of famous Chandel emperor Keerat Rai, at the fort of Kalanjar (Banda, U.P.). Chandel Dynasty is famous in the Indian History for the valiant king Vidyadhar who repulsed the attacks of Mehmood Gaznavi.

In 1542, she was married to Dalpat Shah, the eldest son of king Sangramb Shah of Gond Dynasty. The Gonds were a tribe which settled in the Gondwana (eastern MP) region around 13th century CE and rose to power eventually. They ruled four kingdoms -

Garha-Mandla, Deogarh, Chanda and Kherla between the 16th and 18th centuries. Dalpat Shah, Durgavati’s husband ruled Garha-Mandla. Chandel & Gond dynasties got closer bcs of this marriage. Keerat Rai got help of Gonds and his son-in-law at the time of invasion of Shershah Suri.

In 1545 A.D. she gave birth to a son, who was named Vir Narayan. Unfortunately, her husband died in 1550 A.D. As her son was too young at that time, she took the reins of the Gond kingdom in her hands. Two Ministers, Adhar Kayastha and Man Thakur helped her in the administration.

She moved her capital to Chauragarh in place of Singaurgarh. It was a fort of strategic importance situated on the Satpura hill range. After the death of Shershah, Sujat Khan captured the Malwa zone and was succeeded by his son Bajbahadur in 1556 A.D.

After ascending to the throne he attacked Durgavati but the attack was repulsed with heavy losses to his army. This defeat silenced him. The victory brought name and fame for Durgavati. She led her armies personally, was adept at riding a horse or an elephant as her war vehicle.

In 1562, Akbar vanquished the Malwa ruler Bajbahadur and annexed the Malwa with Mughal dominion. Consequently, the state boundary of Rani Durgavati touched the Mughal kingdom. Her contemporary Mughal Subedar was Abdul Mazid Khan.

He had vanquished Ramchandra, the ruler of Rewa. Prosperity of Durgavati's state lured him and he invaded the state after taking permission from the Mughal emperor. This plan of Mughal invasion was result of expansionism and imperialism of Akbar.

When Durgavati heard about the attack by Asaf Khan, she decide to defend her kingdom with all her might although her Minister Adhar pointed out the strength of Mughal forces. She maintained that it was better to die respectfully than to live a disgraceful life.

To fight the battle, she went to Narrai situated between a hilly range on one side & two rivers Gaur and Narmada on the other side. It was an unequal battle with trained soldiers, modern weapons in multitude on one side and a few untrained soldiers with old weapons on the other.

Her Fauzdar Arjun Daswas got killed in the battle so she decided to lead the defence herself. As the enemy entered the valley soldiers of Durgavati attacked them. Both sides lost some men but she was victorious in the battle. She chased the Mughal army and came out of the valley.

She reviewed her strategy with her counsellors. She wanted to attack the enemy in the night but her lieutenants did not accept her suggestion. By next morning Asaf khan had summoned big guns. Rani rode on her elephant Sarman and came for the battle.

Her son Vir Narayan also took part in this battle. He forced the Mughal army to move back 3 times but at last he got wounded and had to retire to a safe place. Rani Durgavati also got hit near her ear with an arrow. Another arrow pierced her neck and she lost her consciousness.

On regaining consciousness, she perceived that defeat was imminent. Her Mahout advised her to leave the battlefield but she refused and took out her dagger and killed herself. Her martyrdom day, 24th June, 1564 is even today commomorated as "Balidan Diwas".

Rani Durgavati was valiant, beautiful and a brave woman. She was also a great leader with excellent administrative skills. She fought till death rather than surrendering herself to the enemy. She did not lose even 1 of the 51 wars she fought in her reign of 16 years.

She built many lakes in her state and did a lot for the welfare of her people. Her achievements further enhanced the glory of her ancestral tradition of courage & patronage of arts. It was under her regime the world famous sculptures of Khajuraho and Kalinjar Fort were sculpted.

In 1983, Madhya Pradesh Govt renamed the University of Jabalpur as Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya in her memory. Govt of India paid its tribute to the valiant Queen by issuing a postal-stamp commemorating her martyrdom, on 24th June 1988.
(Pic 2: Museum)

The place where she died was an inspiration for the freedom fighters. Today, Chauragarh fort serves as a sunrise viewing point at Panchmarhi, a famous hill-station. But sadly, the tourists who throng it are not aware of Durgavati, who died defending this area against the Mughals.

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