Rani Durgavati
Topic: Regional Resistance: Rajputs, Ahoms, Sikhs · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 2 "Reshaping India's Political Map"
Meaning
Rani Durgavati was the queen of Garha (Garha-Katanga), one of the Gond kingdoms of central India, in the 16th century. She ruled wisely and made her kingdom rich. She kept an army of 20,000 soldiers and 1,000 elephants and fought off several invasions. Today she is a symbol of regional pride and of women's leadership in resistance.
Example
In 1564 Akbar's general Asaf Khan attacked Garha. Durgavati had fewer men and weaker weapons, but she led her troops herself. When she was wounded, she took her own life on the battlefield rather than be captured. She was only 40 years old.
Don't confuse with
- Rani Durgavati and jauhar: she died in battle by her own hand as a commander. Jauhar was mass self-burning by Rajput women inside a fort that was about to fall.