Who was Rani Durgavati?

About Rani Durgavati:

• Rani Durgavati (1524-2024) was the descendant of the famous Chandela dynasty of Mahoba and the queen of the Gond kingdom of Garha-Katanga.
• She was born on 5th October 1524 A.D. in the family of the famous Chandel emperor Keerat Rai.
  • The Chandel Dynasty is famous in Indian history for the valiant king Vidyadhar, who repulsed the attacks of Mehmood Gaznavi.
  • His love for sculptures is shown in the world-famous temples of Khajuraho and Kalanjar Fort. 
• Rani Durgavati was born in Kalinjar (Banda, U.P.), one of the most important forts of medieval India.
• In 1542, she was married to Dalpatshah, the eldest son of King Sangramshah of the Gond Dynasty. Chandel and Gond dynasties got closer as a consequence of this marriage.
• She gave birth to a son in 1545 A.D. who was named Vir Narayan.
• Dalpatshah died in about 1550 A.D. As Vir Narayan was too young at that time, Durgavati took the reins of the Gond kingdom in her hands. 
• Two ministers, Adhar Kayastha and Man Thakur, helped the Rani in looking after the administration successfully and effectively. 
• Rani moved her capital to Chauragarh in place of Singaurgarh. It was a fort of strategic importance situated on the Satpura hill range.
• It is said that trade flourished during this period. People were prosperous.
• Like her husband’s predecessors, she extended her territory and accomplished the political unification of Gondwana, also called Garha-Katanga, with courage, generosity, and tact.
• She distinguished herself as a warrior and fought with unvarying success against Baz Bahadur, the Sultan of Malwa.
• In the year 1562, Akbar vanquished the Malwa ruler Baj Bahadur and annexed the Malwa with Mughal dominion. Consequently, the state boundary of Rani touched the Mughal kingdom.
• She is chiefly remembered for defending Gondwana against the Mughal Empire. She took on the might of the Mughal Empire with great courage and leadership.
• Though she finally faced defeat at the hands of the Mughal army, she is remembered as a warrior in blood and spirit.