Gond queen: Rani Durgawati

About Gond queen: Rani Durgawati

(October 4, 1524 – June 24, 1564)

Childhood to Youth

Rani Durgawati was born in Chandel (Rajput) Emperor family of Keerat Rai. She was born at famous historical Kalanjar fort of Banda, Uttar Pradesh. Chandel dynasty is the same dynasty under which famous temples of Khajuraho were built. It is said that since childhood, Durgawati was keen to learn war skills, horse-riding and other activities for which rajputs are known. She attained perfectionism in art of war. She was also known for her hunting skills & determination. Forests of Panna national park was here favorite hunting preserve where she often goes on hunting expeditions. It is said that the day on which Durgawati swears to kill one tiger, she lives without food & water until she kill any one of the tiger.

About her marriage (1542)

Under one such hunting expedition, she met Dalpat Shah s/o Gond ruler Sangram Shah, in jungles of Baghelkhand (surrounding area of Panna national park). On very first meeting she fell in love of Dalpat Shah and both decided to marry. But as Gonds are considered inferior than Rajputs, as per cast system of hindus, Durgawati suggests Dalpat Shah to abduct her forcefully and get married. Dalpat Shah did the same and they get married in 1542, later Chandels accepted it. On attack of Sher Shah Suri in Kalinjar fort, Dalpat Shah helped Chandels and in that war Sher Shah Suri was killed.

Rani Durgawati as a ruler

In year 1545, Durgawati gave birth to a son who was named Vir Narayan. Her husband met untimely death in year 1950. As son Vir Narayan was too young to ascend the throne, Durgawati become care-taker ruler of Gondwana and lead the state to its golden era. Feeling jealous from the success of Gondwana, ruler of Malwa, Baz Bahadur attacked Rani Durgawati and faced humiliating defeat. Baz Bahadur was husband of Roopmati and famous monuments of Mandu were built in his tenure. It is said that during its peak, Gondwana dynasty owes regiment of 2000 elephants and lot of golds in their treasury. Rani was a very religious lady and care for his people. Everybody in his kingdom was happy and satisfied.

War with Mughals (June-1564)

Baz-bahadur was defeated by Mughals forces when Akbar was the ruler. Filled with jealousy of defeat from a woman, Baz-bahadur provoked Akbar to attack on Gondwana dynasty on religious ground. Akbar instructed his general Asaf-Khan of Kunda to ask Rani to accept his supremacy. Asaf Khan send messenger with Charkha and message in which he asked Durgawati to accept his supremacy and made fun on her by presenting Charkha(spinning machine) as ladies are not meant to rule but to drive Charkha. In response to such message Rani Durgawati sent “Pingeon” a traditional cotton processing machine.

Exchange of such messages laid the foundation of war. In that time, there were 52 small & bigs forts under Gondwana dynasty. As per orders from Abkar, Asaf Khan moved from Kunda towards Rewa dynasty. Rewa ruler (who owes Bandhavgarh national park till 1968) helped Asaf Khan. Later Asaf Khan moved to Damoh district which is just 40 kms. away from Singhorgarh fort of Gondwana where Rani was staying at that time. Due to weak intelligence system Durgawati was un-aware of any such attack. But as news was spread all over, Rani was having force of 10000 trained soldiers with traditional weapons and Asaf khan was with trained force of 50000 soldiers and latest weapons. Most of the Gond soldiers of fled after knowing 5 times larger army of Mughals. Rani Durgawati move to Jabalpur’s Madan Mahal fort and re-organized his army and manage to organize 10000 soldiers but un-trained.

Decision of attack on Gond dynasty was severely criticized by many contemporary rullers and even in court of Akbar as such act on widow-lady ruler will defame the bravery of Akbar the great. Even in book called “Aaine-e-akbari” also, Abul Fazal criticized the policy of Akbar The Great.

In memory of brave queen Rani Durgawati, her statue was made on same location of Narrai Valley, close to which statue of her elephant Sarman was also made. It is about 30 kms. away from Jabalpur city.