Talk:Rani Durgāvatī (1524 – 1564 CE)

By Vishal Agarwal

Rānī Durgāvatī was born in a Rājpūt family associated with the ancient Candella dynasty. At the age of 18, she married a Goṇḍ tribal prince of Goṇḍvāna, a region in central India. Soon thereafter, she had a son but unfortunately her husband died. As her baby boy was very young, she ruled the kingdom with the help of some ministers. She promoted sculpture, and people in her kingdom were happy.

Meanwhile, Akbar became the 3rd Mughal emperor of India in 1556 C.E. Although a teenager, with the help of his guardian Bairām Khān and other military advisors, he launched a conquest of north India. Numerous wars were fought, several hundred soldiers died and many kingdoms were conquered by the Mughal empire. Attracted by the prosperity of her kingdom, the Muslim ruler of Mālwā attacked Goṇḍvāna in 1556, but she defeated his army. Soon, the Mughal empire itself defeated Mālwā, and now their army got ready to invade Goṇḍvāna.

The first battle was fought in 1564. Rānī Durgāvatī’s prime minister advised her to accept defeat because the Mughal army was vast and very well armed in comparison to Goṇḍvāna. But the Rānī refused and said that it is better to die defending her country than accept defeat and live a life of disgrace. In the battle, one of her main military commanders was killed and therefore, she decided to lead the army herself.

Initially, Rānī Durgāvatī was able to push back the Mughal army from the area. Then, she consulted her army officers about the next plan of action. Unfortunately, they did not agree to her proposal that the soldiers of Goṇḍvāna should attack at night. By the next morning, the Mughal army received some large cannons from Delhi and launched an attack. Rānī Durgāvatī’s twenty-year-old son too joined the battle. However, he got injured and had to be removed from the battlefield. She too was soon hit by an arrow close to her ear and another in her neck. Rānī Durgāvatī fainted and her elephant driver took her away to safety.

When she regained consciousness, she realized that her army was facing a defeat. But instead of running away, she took out her dagger and stabbed herself to death. Akbar praised her bravery. People of Goṇḍvāna rose in revolt. It is said that throughout the long reign of Akbar, her people continuously revolted and Akbar was therefore not able to conquer her kingdom completely even though she was no more.

In her honor, India has named a train and a university after her and has released a postage stamp with her picture. Rānī Durgāvatī’s life shows that many brave soldiers prefer death over surrendering to their enemy.