Old Madan Mahal in Jabalpur. (Image: Shutterstock)
Rani Durgavati ascended the throne of Gondwana after her husband’s death in 1550
RANI DURGAVATI DEATH BIRTHDAY: Rani Durgavati, the queen of Gondwana, is the remarkable icon of feminism in India. She was born in Uttar Pradesh in a Chandeli family. In 1542, she married Dalpat Shah, the son of King Sangram Shah of the Gondwana Kingdom. Rani Durgavati ascended the throne of Gondwana after her husband’s death in 1550.
Rani drew her knife and killed herself on the battlefield on June 24, 1564. This happened after the Mughal army attacked her empire and ensured her demise.
Today, on the occasion of her death anniversary, we look at ten lesser-known facts about Rani Durgavati and her illustrious legacy:
- The queen was born on the auspicious Hindu festival of Durgashtami, which is why she was given the name Durgavati.
- Prior to her marriage, Rani Durgavati had heard about Dalpat Shah’s bravery. She then wished that he would be her husband and wrote him a secret letter. Shah married her shortly after this incident at his Kuldevi temple.
- With the help of Diwan Beohar Adhar Simha and Minister Man Thakur, Rani successfully ruled the Gondwana kingdom for 16 years.
- The queen was well trained in horse riding, archery and other sports, and she was known for her martial arts.
- Rani Durgavati is known as an excellent fighter. When she heard that a tiger had appeared, she did not drink water until she shot him.
- Rani Durgavati fought against Mughal Emperor Akbar’s army and drove them out of her kingdom in the first battle.
- During the final battle with the Mughal army, Rani planned to attack the opponents at night, but her lieutenants refused. The next day Mughals arrived with huge weapons.
- When her ministers mentioned the power of the Mughal army, Rani replied: ‘Better to die with dignity than to live without self-respect. I have served my country for a long time and now I will not let it be tarnished. There is no choice but to fight.”
- India will never forget its martyrs, which is why June 24 is celebrated as ‘Balidan Diwas’.
- The government of Madhya Pradesh named the University of Jabalpur ‘Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya’ in 1983. Its name is also associated with museums, stamps and a railway.
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