Rani Durgavati, the Warrior Queen of Garha Katanga
"Her tomb is still to be seen where she fell, in a narrow defile between two hills; and a pair of large rounded stones which stand near are, according to popular belief, her royal drums turned into stone, which, in the dead of night, are still heard resounding through the woods, and calling the spirits of her warriors from their thousand graves around her."
The Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga, also known as Gondwana, Garha Mandla or Gadha, in present-day Madhya Pradesh, was incredibly prosperous with 70,000 thriving villages.
Rani Durgavati (r: 1548-1564) was the daughter of the Chandela ruler of Ratha and Mahoba. She married Dalpat Shah, the son of Raja Sangram Shah of the Gond dynasty. Although Sangram Shah did not belong to a high tribe, he was wealthy, and Durgavati's father was compelled to make this alliance as he was in bad circumstances.
Muhammadan historians such as Abul Fazl praises Durgavati's beauty, courage, ability, popularity and generosity.
After Dalpat Shah's death in 1548, Durgavati became the regent of their five-year old son, Vir Narayan. She effectively ruled the kingdom assised by two ministers, Adhar Kayastha and Man Brahman.
Durgavati proved her valor by successfully repulsing an aggressive assault from Baz Bahadur, the sultan of Malwa, inflicting heavy losses on his army. She was very skilled in hunting also. When she heard of a tiger, she never rested till she had shot it.
Even after Vir Narayan came of age, Durgavati continued to wield authority.
When the Mughal army approached Damoh, Durgavati's troops were spread throughout the kingdom, leaving her with only 500 men by her side. When Adhar mentioned the strength of the Mughal army, Durgavati stated, "I have long ruled this country, and never acted in such a manner as to bring disgrace on myself. Now, from what you tell me, if the king were here in person, I would present myself before him; but now there is no remedy but war!
Filled with determination, she gathered 2000 men to her cause. Advised by her officers, she chose to hold a strategic position in the dense jungles of Narrai until the arrival of more troops.
Asaf Khan advanced unopposed, seizing control of Garha's territories. Meanwhile, the Rani gathered 5000 men. Once Asaf Khan learned of Rani's whereabouts, leaving a force at Garha, he set out for Narrai. When Durgavati heard that the Mughals were approaching, she addressed her people, "How long shall we take refuge among the trees and jungles?" She declared that either she would fall or conquer. Clad in her battle armor and helmet, she mounted an elephant.
Durgavati directed her troops to allow the enemy to enter the narrow pass before launching a surprise attack from all sides. In the following battle, Durgavati was victorious and pursued the fugitives.
She then proposed a night attack on the enemy to prevent Asaf Khan from seizing the pass in the morning, but her suggestion was rejected as no one else had the same level of courage as her.
As anticipated, Asaf Khan entered the pass the next morning with his artillery. Durgavati prepared for battle and ordered Adhar to ride in front on their elephant.
Raja Vir valiantly repelled the Mughal army three times before being seriously wounded. Upon hearing this, Durgavati ordered her son to be taken to a place of safety, but on this account, a large body of men went away from her. Left with only 300 men, she continued to fight with undaunted bravery.
Amid the chaos of battle, an arrow struck Durgavati's right temple. She courageously removed it, but the arrowhead remained lodged within her wound. Another arrow then struck her neck. She drew out that too, but became unconscious. When gradually recovered her senses, she realized that the battle had been lost.
Turning to Adhar, she said, "I have always placed trust and confidence in you against a day like this; so that, in the event of my meeting with defeat, you might not suffer me to fall into the hands of the enemy; act like a faithful servant, and dispose of me by this sharp dagger."
Adhar refused and vowed to carry her away from the battlefield. Durgavati's anger flared at his words. "Do you choose such a disgrace for me?" she responded, drawing her dagger and meeting her end with the courage befitting a warrior queen. Her reign lasted sixteen years.
Two months later, Asaf Khan marched against Chauragarh, the capital city. Vir Narayan, who had gone there from the battle field, attempted to oppose him but was killed. The fort fell, and all of Durgavati's treasures were seized.
Founded in 1964, the Rani Durgavati Museum of Jabalpur is dedicated to the memory of the great queen. The Rani Durgavati University of Jabalpur was named after her.
(Rambles and Recollections of an Indian Official By Sir William Henry Sleeman)
The Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga, also known as Gondwana, Garha Mandla or Gadha, in present-day Madhya Pradesh, was incredibly prosperous with 70,000 thriving villages.
Rani Durgavati (r: 1548-1564) was the daughter of the Chandela ruler of Ratha and Mahoba. She married Dalpat Shah, the son of Raja Sangram Shah of the Gond dynasty. Although Sangram Shah did not belong to a high tribe, he was wealthy, and Durgavati's father was compelled to make this alliance as he was in bad circumstances.
Muhammadan historians such as Abul Fazl praises Durgavati's beauty, courage, ability, popularity and generosity.
After Dalpat Shah's death in 1548, Durgavati became the regent of their five-year old son, Vir Narayan. She effectively ruled the kingdom assised by two ministers, Adhar Kayastha and Man Brahman.
Durgavati proved her valor by successfully repulsing an aggressive assault from Baz Bahadur, the sultan of Malwa, inflicting heavy losses on his army. She was very skilled in hunting also. When she heard of a tiger, she never rested till she had shot it.
Even after Vir Narayan came of age, Durgavati continued to wield authority.
Mughal Conquest of Garha Katanga
In 1564, Khwaja Abdul Majid, known as Asaf Khan, the Mughal governor of Kara Manikpur, driven by tales of Durgavati's wealth, set his sights on conquering her kingdom. Under the orders of Akbar, he advanced towards Garha with a large force.When the Mughal army approached Damoh, Durgavati's troops were spread throughout the kingdom, leaving her with only 500 men by her side. When Adhar mentioned the strength of the Mughal army, Durgavati stated, "I have long ruled this country, and never acted in such a manner as to bring disgrace on myself. Now, from what you tell me, if the king were here in person, I would present myself before him; but now there is no remedy but war!
Filled with determination, she gathered 2000 men to her cause. Advised by her officers, she chose to hold a strategic position in the dense jungles of Narrai until the arrival of more troops.
Asaf Khan advanced unopposed, seizing control of Garha's territories. Meanwhile, the Rani gathered 5000 men. Once Asaf Khan learned of Rani's whereabouts, leaving a force at Garha, he set out for Narrai. When Durgavati heard that the Mughals were approaching, she addressed her people, "How long shall we take refuge among the trees and jungles?" She declared that either she would fall or conquer. Clad in her battle armor and helmet, she mounted an elephant.
Durgavati directed her troops to allow the enemy to enter the narrow pass before launching a surprise attack from all sides. In the following battle, Durgavati was victorious and pursued the fugitives.
She then proposed a night attack on the enemy to prevent Asaf Khan from seizing the pass in the morning, but her suggestion was rejected as no one else had the same level of courage as her.
As anticipated, Asaf Khan entered the pass the next morning with his artillery. Durgavati prepared for battle and ordered Adhar to ride in front on their elephant.
Raja Vir valiantly repelled the Mughal army three times before being seriously wounded. Upon hearing this, Durgavati ordered her son to be taken to a place of safety, but on this account, a large body of men went away from her. Left with only 300 men, she continued to fight with undaunted bravery.
Amid the chaos of battle, an arrow struck Durgavati's right temple. She courageously removed it, but the arrowhead remained lodged within her wound. Another arrow then struck her neck. She drew out that too, but became unconscious. When gradually recovered her senses, she realized that the battle had been lost.
Turning to Adhar, she said, "I have always placed trust and confidence in you against a day like this; so that, in the event of my meeting with defeat, you might not suffer me to fall into the hands of the enemy; act like a faithful servant, and dispose of me by this sharp dagger."
Adhar refused and vowed to carry her away from the battlefield. Durgavati's anger flared at his words. "Do you choose such a disgrace for me?" she responded, drawing her dagger and meeting her end with the courage befitting a warrior queen. Her reign lasted sixteen years.
Two months later, Asaf Khan marched against Chauragarh, the capital city. Vir Narayan, who had gone there from the battle field, attempted to oppose him but was killed. The fort fell, and all of Durgavati's treasures were seized.
Founded in 1964, the Rani Durgavati Museum of Jabalpur is dedicated to the memory of the great queen. The Rani Durgavati University of Jabalpur was named after her.
very informative.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best detailed life history of the great queen. I have lived in MP but never had knowledge of the history. One regret the her association with Maharana pratap is missing. Did pratap help her in her fight with Akbar. ?? There is lot not covered here. In India due to British dominated historians we have lost best part of History!!!
ReplyDeletevery informative.
ReplyDeletewe should tell this history to our children . nehruvian distortion has not allowed us to love our country. see how chinese and japanese children r taught the glory of their forefathers.
ReplyDeleteInformative. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteNice and courageous history..I got to know they are our ansertors I belongs to this dynasty wow.myself Rakesh Shah
ReplyDeleteWow so courageous history..I proud that I belong to this community..they are our ansestors
ReplyDeleteWhat a brave woman. The hair on my body stood up. Instead of a film on padmavathi , a film on durgavathi would have increased the honour of Indians.
ReplyDeleteGood😊😊😊😊😊
ReplyDelete