Rani Durgavati facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rani Durgavati |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Maharani of Gondwana | |
| Successor | possibly Vir Narayan |
| Born | 5 October 1524 Kalinjar Fort |
| Died | 24 June 1564 (aged 39) Narai Nala, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh |
| Spouse | Dalpat Shah |
| Issue | Vir Narayan |
| Father | Salibahan |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Rani Durgavati was a brave queen who ruled the Gondwana Kingdom from 1550 to 1564. She was born on October 5, 1524, into the family of King Salibahan of the Chandel Rajput clan. Her birthplace was the Mahoba fort.
Rani Durgavati married Dalpat Shah, who was the adopted son of King Sangram Shah of the Garha Kingdom. Her courage and leadership brought even more fame to her family's long history of bravery.
Contents
Early Life and Becoming Queen
Marriage and Family
In 1542, Durgavati married Dalpat Shah. He was the adopted son of King Sangram Shah of the Garha Kingdom. This marriage helped create a strong bond between the Chandel family of Mahoba and the Kalachuri dynasty of the Garha Kingdom.
Taking the Throne
Sadly, Dalpat Shah died in 1550. Their son, Vir Narayan, was very young at the time. Because of this, Rani Durgavati took control of the Gondwana kingdom. She had help from her trusted advisors, Diwan Beohar Adhar Simha and Minister Man Thakur. Together, they managed the kingdom very well.
Rani Durgavati worked hard to make sure there was peace and good trade throughout her lands. She also moved her capital to a new place. This new capital was a very important fort located on the Satpura hills. It was a good spot for defending the kingdom.
Battles and Challenges
Facing Baz Bahadur
After a ruler named Sher Shah died, Shuja Khan took over Malwa. His son, Baz Bahadur, became the new ruler in 1556. Baz Bahadur soon attacked Rani Durgavati's kingdom. However, Rani Durgavati and her army successfully pushed him back.
The Mughal Threat
In 1562, the powerful Mughal Emperor Akbar defeated Baz Bahadur. Akbar then took over Malwa, making it part of the Mughal Empire. This meant that Rani Durgavati's kingdom now shared a border with the large Mughal Empire.
A Mughal general named Khwaja Abdul Majid Asaf Khan was very ambitious. He had already defeated the ruler of Rewa. Asaf Khan heard about how rich Rani Durgavati's kingdom was. He wanted to conquer it. He asked Emperor Akbar for permission to invade, and Akbar agreed. This attack was part of Akbar's plan to expand the Mughal Empire.
Defending Her Kingdom
When Rani Durgavati learned about Asaf Khan's attack, she decided to fight with all her strength. Her advisor, Diwan Beohar Adhar Simha, warned her about the huge size of the Mughal army. But the Rani bravely said that it was better to die with honor than to live a life of shame.
She chose a strong defensive spot called Narrai. It was located between a hilly area on one side and two rivers, Gaur and Narmada, on the other. The battle was very unfair. The Mughals had many trained soldiers and modern weapons. Rani Durgavati had fewer soldiers, and they had older weapons.
Her army leader, Faujdar Arjun Das, was killed in the battle. So, Rani Durgavati herself took charge of the defense. As the enemy entered the valley, her soldiers attacked them. Both sides lost men, but the Rani's army lost more.
The Final Battle
Rani Durgavati discussed her plan with her advisors. She wanted to keep attacking the Mughals at night. But her chiefs told her not to. They insisted she face the army in open combat the next morning.
By the next day, Asaf Khan had brought in large cannons. Rani Durgavati rode her elephant, Sarman, into battle. Her son, Vir Narayan, also fought bravely. He pushed the Mughal army back three times! But eventually, he was wounded and had to leave the battlefield to a safe place.
During the fight, Rani Durgavati was badly hurt by an arrow near her ear. Another arrow pierced her neck, and she lost consciousness. When she woke up, she knew that defeat was coming. Her elephant driver told her to leave the battle, but she refused.
Rani Durgavati died on June 24, 1564. Her bravery and sacrifice are remembered every year on this day, which is called "Balidan Diwas."
Rani Durgavati's Legacy
Remembering a Queen
The Madan Mahal fort in Jabalpur is closely connected to Rani Durgavati and her son, Veer Narayan.
In 1983, the government of Madhya Pradesh honored her by renaming the University of Jabalpur as Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya.
The government of India also released a special postal stamp on June 24, 1988, to remember her death.
A train that travels between Jabalpur Junction and Jammutawi is named the Durgavati Express (11449/11450) after the Queen.
On July 14, 2018, the Indian Coast Guard launched a ship named ICGS Rani Durgavati. It is an Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV).
Images for kids
-
A postal stamp honoring Rani Durgavati
See also
In Spanish: Durgavati para niños
