In This Male Dominant Society There were many Women Warriors who gave example of extreme Bravery & Courage, Salute To Them
Nayakidevi 12th Century
Nayakidevi, regent of Anhilwarra-Patan
during the minority of her son. Nayakidevi is the one who led the army to
counter Muhammad Ghori’s invasion of Anhilwara-Patan’s territory. In a battle
at Kayadra, a village near Mount Abu, she administered such a severe drubbing
to Muhammad Ghori and his army that the Ghori never again came anywhere near
Anhilwara-Patan.
After his defeat at Kayadra, Muhammad
Ghori had fallen back on his base at Multan, which he had conquered in 1175.
There, he nursed his wounds and his wounded pride until 1186 and then
launched an attack that carried him triumphantly into Lahore. Five years later
(1191) he marched toward Prithviraj’s borders
Kuramdevi 12th Century
Historical records
suggest that Kuramdevi was Samar Singh’s second wife. In or about 1171, Samar
Singh had married Prithabai, sister of Prithviraj III, the Chauhan maharaja of
Ajmer and Delhi. Soon after her marriage, Prithabai had born a son, Kalyan Rai,
but then, the evidence suggests, in the following years failed to bear any
further sons. As we all know, in such instances, no matter where in the world
at that time, and in some places even now, the woman gets all the blame.
Following this infallible principle, to ensure the succession, Samar Singh
married again, hoping for more sons, in about 1178 or 1179, approximately
around the same time Nayakidevi administered that resounding defeat to Muhammad
Ghori. The new bride did not disappoint her husband. Within the year she gave
birth to his second son, Karna. One can infer the date of marriage by the fact
that Karna was still about a year shy of maturity (i.e., age 13) in 1192.
When Both Samar Singh Deva and his eldest son, Kalyan Rai, died
in the second battle of Tarain, and, when Prithabai received the news of her
double loss, she immediately mounted the pyre to rejoin her husband. Kuramdevi
would eventually follow her, but first she had unfinished business to tend to.
She had to ensure that her son Karna seamlessly succeeded his father and that
his seat on the throne of Chittorgarh was secure. When his father died, Karna
was still a minor, around 12 years of age. The succession encountered no
serious obstacles, and Kuramdevi became regent during the remaining year of her
son’s minority.
During this time she raised a new
army from among her son’s vassals, and as soon as Karna’s 13th birthday passed
and he reached the age of maturity, she led the army and marched northward in
search of the man who had killed her husband—this probably in 1193 or 1194 in
the month of Asoj (Asvin) following Dassera, the traditional beginning of the
warfare season. Nine rajas and eleven chiefs with the title of rawat with their
men accompanied her. The Prithviraj Raso gives no details of her route.
Because by now she knew that Qtub-ud-din ruled in Delhi, one can surmise her
route took her straight towards Delhi.
The Raso tells
us she and her force encountered Qtub-ud-din and his army near the old Amber
fort. It does not tell us exactly where, but, having visited the area, I like
to imagine that the encounter occurred in a narrow gap in the hills about 900
meters west of Amber village and about seven kilometers (2.8 mi.) north of
Jaipur. The gap of which I speak makes an ideal spot for a small force to fight
a much larger force on more equal terms, for it is not much more than 250
meters wide, and north and south of it a high and steep-sided ridge extends
some four or so miles, far enough to block any flanking maneuvers. Even further
in her favor is the fact that the Muslim general would be unable to squeeze his
entire battlefront into a gap so narrow. Warriors of the time did need room to
swing their weapons. Here, as with the Spartans and their allies at
Thermopylae, a small force could do as well as a much larger one, and because
of the ridges on either side the larger one, the Muslim army, could not use one
of its favorite tactics. Fielding huge forces, the Muslims liked to spread the
wings of their armies wide and envelop the smaller enemy forces in a deadly
embrace. Sometimes they would even feign retreat in the center, drawing back as
if recoiling from the enemy attack, thus enticing the enemy center forward,
tricking him into exposing his flanks. But, if, as I suspect, the battle occurred
at this narrow gap, Qtub-ud-din could not use such tactics. He had to meet the
Rajputs on a front no wider than the gap itself.
However it may have been, the two
forces met near the old Amber fort, and the Rajputs won. At the head of her
army, Kuramdevi drove deep into the Muslim ranks, deep enough for her to
confront the Muslim general himself and to engage him in a personal duel during
which she managed to bury her sword deep into his flesh, wounding him so
severely that he tumbled from the saddle. In alarm his attendants carried him
away. Seeing him fall, seeing his body thus carried from the fight and,
consequently, believing him dead, others in the Muslim ranks near the site gave
way to panic. The panic spread, and soon Qtub-ud-din’s entire army was in full
flight.
Kuramdevi believed she had killed
Qtub-ud-din. The battle thus ended, she regrouped her army and led it back
south. Returning to Chittorgarh, she mounted the pyre and, like Prithabai,
became sati. But Qtub-ud-din did not die from his wounds. He eventually
recovered and returned to Delhi, and subsequently declared himself not viceroy
but sultan
Rani Padmavati died 1303 CE
Paadmini or
Padmavati spent her life in Singhal under the care of her father Gandharvsen
and mother Champavati. Padmini had a talking parrot named
"Hiramani".Her father arranged a swayamvara and invited all the Hindu
kings and Rajputs to ask for her hand (request to marry her by showing their
eligibility). Malkhan Singh, a king from a small state came to her swayamvara
to marry her. KingRawal Ratan Singh of Chittor who had another queen Nagmati,
also went to Singhal, defeated Malkhan Singh and married Padmini as the winner
of the swayamvara. He returned to Chittor with his beautiful second queen
Padmini.
In the 12th and 13th
centuries, the Sultanate of Delhi - the kingdom set up by invaders - was
growing in power. The Sultans made repeated attack on Mewad. The reason for one
of attacks on Chittor by Alauddin Khilji was to obtain beautiful Rani Padmini
by force. The story is based on the book written by the Alauddin's historian to
justify their attacks on Rajput kingdoms and much to frustrate the bravery and
heroism which was present in the males and females of Rajputs warlords. Some
historians do not agree with the story which is based on Muslim sources to
inflame the Rajput chivalry. The story uses all such tactics and tricks which
are required to make it seem true. It goes as follows.
In those days
Chittor was under the rule of Rajput King Rawal Ratan Singh, a brave and noble
warrior. Apart from being a loving husband and a just ruler, Ratan Singh was
also a patron of the arts. In his court were many talented people, one of whom
was a musician named Raghav Chetan. But unknown to anybody, Raghav Chetan was
also a sorcerer. He used his evil talents to run down his rivals and,
unfortunately for him, was caught red-handed in his dirty act of arousing evil
spirits. Some other sources quote that Raghav Chetan was actually called in by
Ratan Singh for some dirty work.
On hearing this, King
Rawal Ratan Singh was furious and he banished Raghav Chetan from his kingdom
after blackening his face and making him ride a donkey. This harsh punishment
earned Ratan Singh an uncompromising enemy. Sulking after his humiliation,
Raghav Chetan made his way towards Delhi with the aim of trying to incite the
Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji, to attack Chittor.
On approaching
Delhi, Raghav Chetan settled down in one of the forests near Delhi which the
Sultan used to frequent for hunting deer. One day on hearing the Sultan's hunt
party entering the forest, Raghav Chetan started playing a melodious tone on
his flute. When the alluring notes of Raghav Chetan's flute reached the
Sultan's party, they were surprised as to who could be playing a flute in such
a masterly way in a forest. The Sultan despatched his soldiers to fetch the
person and, when Raghav Chetan was brought before him, Sultan Alauddin Khilji
asked him to come to his court at Delhi. The cunning Raghav Chetan asked the
king as to why he wants to have an ordinary musician like himself when there
were many other beautiful objects to be had. Wondering what Raghav Chetan
meant, Alauddin asked him to clarify. Upon being told of Rani Padmini's beauty,
Alauddin's lust was aroused. Immediately on returning to his capital, he
ordered his army to march to Chittor as he thought that so beautiful a lady
deserved to be in his harem.
But to his dismay,
on reaching Chittor, Alauddin found the fort to be heavily defended. Desperate
to have a look at the legendary beauty of Padmini, he sent word to King Ratan
Singh that he looked upon Padmini as his sister and wanted to meet her. On
hearing this, desperate Ratan Singh saw a chance to escape the fury of the
emperor and retain his kingdom. Therefore he agreed to show his wife to the
emperor, though it was a highly shameful and dishonourable act in those times.
On being persuaded
by her husband, Rani Padmini consented to allow Alauddin to see her reflection
only in a mirror. On the word being sent to Alauddin that Padmini would show
herself to him, he came to the fort with his selected best warriors who
secretly made a careful examination of the fort's defences on their way to the
palace.
On seeing Padmini's
reflection image in the mirror, Alauddin Khilji decided that he should secure
Padmini for himself. While returning to his camp, Alauddin was accompanied for
some way by King Ratan Singh. Alauddin Khilji saw this as an opportunity and
got Ratan Singh arrested, and asked for Padmini.
The Songara Chauhan
Rajput generals Gora and Badal decided to beat the Sultan at his own game and
sent back a word that Padmini would be given to Alauddin the next morning. On
the following day at the crack of dawn, one hundred and fifty palanquin (covered
seat enclosed in curtains on which royal ladies were carried in mediaeval times
on poles held parallel to the ground on the shoulders of two or four people)
left the fort and made their way towards Alauddin's camps The palanquins
stopped before the tent where king Ratan Singh was being held prisoner. Seeing
that the palanquins had come from Chittor; and thinking that they had brought
along with them his queen, King Ratan Singh was mortified. But to his surprise
from the palanquins came out, not his queen and her maid servants but fully
armed soldiers, who quickly freed Ratan Singh and galloped away towards Chittor
on horses grabbed from Alauddin's stables. Gorafought bravely during the
skirmish and laid down his life while Badal was able to take the Rana safely to
the fort.
On hearing that his
designs had been frustrated, the Sultan was furious and ordered his army to
storm Chittor. But hard as they tried the Sultan's army could not break into
the fort. Then Alauddin decided to lay siege to the fort. The siege was a long
drawn one and gradually supplies within the fort were depleted. Finally King
Ratan Singh gave orders that the Rajputs would open the gates and fight to
death with the besieging troops. On hearing of this decision, Padmini decided
that with their men-folk going into the unequal struggle with the Sultan's army
in which they were sure to perish, the women of Chittor had either to commit
the divine suicide called as Jauhar or face dishonour at the hands of the
victorious enemy.
The choice was in
favour of suicide through Jauhar. A huge pyre was lit and all the women of
Chittor jumped into the flames after their queen, thus depriving the lustful
enemy waiting outside. With their womenfolk dead, the men of Chittor had
nothing to live for. They decided to perform Saka. Each soldier got dressed in
kesari robes and turbans. They charged out of the fort and fought on furiously
with the vastly powerful array of the Sultan until all of them perished. After
this pyrrhic victory, the Sultan's troops entered the fort only to be
confronted with ashes and burnt bones of the women whose honour they were going
to violate to satisfy their lust.
These women who
committed Jauhar had to perish but their memory has been kept alive till today
by bards and songs which glorify their act which was right in those days and
circumstances. A halo of honour is given to their supreme sacrifice
Rani Rashmoni 1793
She was born on 28
September 1793 into a poor farming family of Harekrishna Das in Kona village,
in present day North 24 Parganas. Exceptionally beautiful, she was married to
Babu Rajachandra Das of Janbazar, Kolkata, a member of a wealthy zamindar
family, when she was eleven years old. After her husband's death she took
charge of the zamindari and business. She soon proved herself a natural leader.
While the prestige of the zamindari grew, Rani Rashmoni, being very pious from
childhood, continued to lead an extremely religious and austere life, befitting
a widow in Indian Bengali Hindu society. Rani Rashmoni died on 19 February
1861.
The Rani and her
clashes with the British in India became household tales in her time. By
blocking the shipping trade on a part of Ganges she compelled the British to
abolish the tax imposed on fishing in the river, which threatened the
livelihood of poor fishermen. When Pujaprocessions were stopped by the British
on the charge that they disturbed the peace, she defied the orders. The British
had to withdraw the penalty imposed on her in the face of public opposition and
rioting in her support.
Rani Rashmoni also
had to her credit numerous charitable works and other contributions to society.
She oversaw the construction of a road from Subarnarekha river to Pari for
pilgrims. She funded the construction of ghats such as Babughat (in memory of
her husband), Ahiritola Ghat and Nimtala Ghat for the daily bathers in the
Ganges. She donated generously to the then Imperial Library (now the National
Library of India) and Hindu College (now Presidency College). Prince Dwarkanath
Tagore had mortgaged a part of his Zamindari in now South 24 Parganas (part of
present day Santoshpur and adjoining areas) to Rani Rashmoni for his passage to
England. This part of land which was then a part of the Sunderbans was marshy
and almost uninhabitable except for some families of thugs who found the area
convenient to stay and venture out for plunders in far away places mounted on
stilts. Rani Rashmoni persuaded these families and helped them to build up
fisheries in the surrounding water bodies that later turned into large rich
bheris. They gradually gave up their 'profession' of plundering and transformed
into a community of fishermen. This was a great social reform that the Rani had
initiated.
A divine revelation
led her to found the famous temple Dakshineswar Kali Temple complex on the
banks of the Ganges at Dakshineswar in the North 24 Parganas. Sri Ramakrishna
Paramhansa (then known as Gadadhar) was appointed its head priest under her
patronage.
Rani Rashmoni's
House at Janbazar was venue of traditional Durga Puja celebration each autumn.
This included traditional pomp, including all-night jatras (folk theatre),
rather than by entertainment for the Englishmen with whom she carried on a
running feud. After her death in 1861, her sons-in-law took to celebrating
Durga Puja in their respective premises
Kittur Rani Chennamma
She stood all alone with a vibrant fiery eye against the British
Empire. She did not succeed in driving them away, but she did provoke many
women to rise against the British rule. She was Chennamma Queen of the princely
state Kittur in Karnataka. Today she is well known as Kittur Rani Chennamma.
Let us take a few steps back in history to know more about her.
Chennamma was born in Kakati (a small village in north of
Belgaum in Karnataka), in 1778 that is almost 56 years earlier than Rani Lakshmi
Bai of Jhansi. From a very young age she received training in horse riding,
sword fighting and archery. She was well known for her brave acts across her
town.
She was married to Mallasarja Desai,
ruler of Kittur at the age of 15. Her married life seemed to be a sad tale
after her husband died in 1816. With this marriage she had only one son, but
fate seemed to play a tragic game in her life. Her son breathed his last in
1824, leaving the lonely soul to fight against the British rule.
After his death, his son
Shivalingarudra Sarja who had no children adopted a boy, Shivalingappa who was
his relative. Shivalingrudra died prematurely and Chennamma ruled as the
regent.
Queen Chennamma during the British rule
The Doctrine of Lapse was imposed on native states by the British. Under this
declaration, native rulers were not allowed to adopt a child if they had no
children of their own. Their territory formed part of the British Empire
automatically.
The state of Kittur came under the
administration of Dharwad collectorate in charge of Mr. Thackeray. Mr. Chaplin
was the commissioner of the region. Both did not recognize the new ruler and
the regent, and informed that Kittur had to accept the British regime.
War against the British
Both the local people and Rani Chennamma opposed strongly
British high handedness. Thackeray invaded Kittur. In the battle that ensued,
hundreds of British soldiers were killed along with Thackeray.
The humiliation of defeat at the
hands of a small ruler was too much for the British to swallow. They brought in
bigger armies from Mysore and Sholapur and surrounded Kittur.
Chennamma tried her best to avoid
war; she negotiated with Chaplin and Governor of Bombay Presidency under whose
regime Kittur fell. It had no effect. Chennamma was compelled to declare war.
For 12 days, the valiant Queen and her soldiers defended their fort, but as is
the common trait, traitors sneaked in and mixed mud and dung in the gunpowder
in the canons. The Rani was defeated (1824 CE). She was taken a prisoner and
kept in the fort of Bailhongal for life. She spent her days reading holy texts
and performing pooja till her death in 1829 CE.
Kittur Rani Chennamma could not win
the war against British, but she etched her presence for many centuries in the
world of history. Along with Onake Obavva, Abbakka Rani and Keladi Chennamma,
she is much revered in Karnataka as an icon of bravery.
Chennamma became a legend. During
the freedom movement, her brave resistance to British formed theme of plays,
songs, and song stories. Folk songs or lavanis were a legion and freedom
struggle got a good boost through singing bards who moved throughout the
region.
Rani Laxmi Bai (1835 - 1858)
JHANSI KI RANI was the great heroine of the
First War of Indian Freedom. She became a widow at the tender age of 18 and
lived only till 22 yet she has inspired many and is still a living legend. She
was the embodiment of patriotism, self-respect and heroism. Her life is a
thrilling story of womanliness, courage, adventure, deathless patriotism and
martyrdom. In her tender body there was a lions spirit.
At
birth she was named Manu. The young Manu, unfortunately she lost her mother
when she was only four. The entire duty of bringing up the daughter fell on her
father. Along with formal education she acquired the skill in sword fighting,
horse riding and shooting. Manu later became the wife of Gangadhar Rao, Maharaj
of Jhansi, in 1842. From then on she was known as Maharani Laksmi Bai of Jhansi.
In
1851 Maharani Lakshmi Bai bore a son but her fate was cruel and she lost her
child within three months. The Maharaja passed away on the 21st November 1853.
Although prior to this the Maharaja and Maharani adopted a boy the British
government claimed they did not recognise the right of the adopted boy. Thus
they tried to buy off the Rani however she stated: "No, impossible! I
shall not surrender my Jhansi!"It did not take her long to realise how
difficult it was for the small state of Jhansi to oppose the British when even
the Peshwas and Kings of Delhi had bowed down to the British Demands. The
Rani’s battle now was against the British who had cunningly taken her kingdom
from her.
After the
British took over her government her daily routine changed. Every morning from
4am to 8am were set apart for bathing, worship, meditation and prayer. From 8am
to 11am she would go out for a horse ride, practise shooting, and practise
swordmanship and shooting with the reins held on her teeth. Thereafter she
would bathe again, feed the hungry, give alms to the poor and then have food;
then rested for a while. After that she would chant the Ramanyan. She would
then exercise lightly in the evening. Later she would go through some religious
books and hear religious sermons. Then she worshipped her chosen deity and had
supper. All things were done methodically, according to her strict timetable.
Such a dedicated and devoted women!
All
these disciplined and training patterns came in use during the Indian Mutiny in
1857. Many lives were lost and innocence people killed. Although Bharat did not
gain independence the Rani did win back Jhansi and created the state to its
former glory having a full treasury and army of women matching the army of men.
However Sir Hugh Rose attacked Jhansi on 17th March 1858. The next day’s battle
was the Rani’s last. Her death was heroic, her army had declined as they were
out numbered by the opposition. The British Army had encircled her and her men.
There was no escape blood was flowing, darkness was approaching. The British
army was pursuing her. After a great struggle the Rani died muttering quotes
from the Bhagvad Gita.
When
she went to War and took up arms she was the very embodiment of the War Goddess
Kali. She was beautiful and frail. But her radiance made men diffident. She was
young in years, but her decisions were mature. Such an confident and dominant
women! A lesson is to be learnt for us all from her experiences! The words of
the British General Sir Hugh Rose who fought against the Maharani several times
and was defeated time and time again stated: "Of the mutineers the bravest
and the greatest commander was the Rani".
Rani Durgavati (Oct 5 1524-June 24, 1564)
She was born in the family of famous
Rajput Chandel Emperor Keerat Rai. She was born at the fort of Kalanjar
(Banda,Uttar Pradesh, India) In 1542, she was married to Dalpat Shah, the
eldest son of king Sangram Shah of GondDynasty
After the death of Sher Shah, Sujat Khan
captured the Malwa and was succeeded by his son Baz Bahadur in 1556 CE. After
ascending to the throne, he attacked Rani Durgavati but the attack was repulsed
with heavy losses to his army. This defeat effectively silencedBaz Bahadur and
the victory brought name and fame for Rani Durgavati.
In the year 1562, Akbar vanquished the
Malwa ruler Baz Bahadur and annexed the Malwa under Mughal dominion.
Consequently, the state boundary of Rani touched the Mughal Sultanate.
Rani's contemporary was a Mughal General,
Khwaja Abdul Majid Asaf Khan, an ambitious man who vanquished Ramchandra, the
ruler of Rewa. Prosperity of Rani Durgavati's state lured him and he invaded
Rani's state after taking permission from Mughal emperor Akbar.
When Rani heard about the attack by Asaf
Khan she decide to defend her kingdom with all her might although her Diwan
Beohar Adhar Simha pointed out the strength of Mughal forces. Rani maintained
that it was better to die respectfully than to live a disgraceful life.
To fight a defensive battle, she went to
Narrai situated between a hilly range on one side and two rivers Gaur and
Narmada on the other side. It was an unequal battle with trained soldiers and
modern weapons in multitude on one side and a few untrained soldiers with old
weapons on the other side. Her Faujdar Arjun Das was killed in the battle and
Rani decided to lead the defence herself. As the enemy entered the valley,
soldiers of Rani attacked them. Both sides lost some men but Rani was
victorious in this battle. She chased the Mughal army and came out of the
valley.
At this stage Rani reviewed her strategy
with her counselors. She wanted to attack the enemy in the night to enfeeble
them but her lieutenants did not accept her suggestion. By next morning Asaf
Khan had summoned big guns. Rani rode on her elephant Sarman and came for the
battle. Her son Vir Narayan also took part in this battle. He forced Mughal
army to move back three times but at last he got wounded and had to retire to a
safe place. In the course of battle Rani also got injured near her ear with an
arrow. Another arrow pierced her neck and she lost her consciousness. On
regaining consciousness she perceived that defeat was imminent. Her
Mahoutadvised her to leave the battlefield but she refused and took out her
dagger and killed herself on June 24, 1564. Her death is celebrated in India as
a "martyrdom day" on June 24.
Jijabai
Jijabai was born on
12 January 1598 and a daughter of Lakhojirao Jadhav in present-dayBuldhana
district of Maharashtra State. As per the customs of that age, she was wed at
an early age to Shahaji Bhosale
She wholeheartedly
supported her husband's cause. Shahaji had tried to establish a Hindu state on
the ruins of the erstwhile Nizamshahi sultanate. However he was defeated by the
combined forces of the Mughals and Adilshahi. Shahaji became a sardar in
Adilshaha's army. He settled in Karnataka and got married again. As per the
treaty he was forced to move south. In order to continue the struggle, he
deputed her as queen regent.
The elder son
Sambhaji remained with their father. Shivaji left Bangalore along with his
mother, a council of ministers and chosen military commanders. When they
arrived in Pune it was full of jungles and wild beasts.She encouraged
cuiltivators to settle. She renovated the kasaba ganapati temple. A Red
sandstone palace of moderate size known as lal mahal was also built. She has
given a number of decisions in legal and administrative matter known as
majhars.
Jijau was a very
pious and intelligent woman with great vision for independent kingdom. She
inspired Shivaji Maharaj by telling stories from Ramayan, Mahabharat,Balaraja.
Inspired by her, Shivaji Maharaj took Oath of Independence (SWARAJYA)[1] in
fort temple of lordRaireshwar in 1645 when he was 17.In Shivaji,s impeccable,
spotless character and courage Jijabai,s contribution is enormous. Had jijabai
been not there a diamond wouldn't had come out of the coal.
Jijau's elder son
Sambhaji was killed while on a military expedition in Karnataka by Afzal Khan.
When Shahaji died, Jijabai tried to commit sati - committing suicide by burning
oneself in the husband's pyre, but Shivaji stopped her from doing so by his
request. Jijabai is widely credited with raising Shivaji in a manner that led
to his future greatness. She died soon after coronation of Shivaji on 17 June
1674.Shivaji was heartbroken by her death.
Thanks,
Arun Kumar Tiwari
