Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi will attend the six-day “Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra” (to honour 16th-century Gondwana kingdom queen Rani Durgavati) in Madhya Pradesh
About Rani Durgavati:
| Aspect | Details |
| Rani Durgavati (1524 – 1564) was the ruling Queen of Gondwana from 1550 until 1564. She is chiefly remembered for defending her kingdom against the Mughal Empire.
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| Heritage | Belonged to the Chandel dynasty known for its brave king Vidyadhar and architectural marvels like Khajuraho |
| Marriage and Alliance | Married Dalpatshah, the Gond dynasty’s eldest son and son of King Sangramshah. She strengthened the alliance between the Chandel and Gond dynasties |
| Leadership | Assumed leadership of the Gond kingdom around 1550 after her husband’s passing |
| Defeating Bajbahadur | Defeated Bajbahadur, who took control of the Malwa province in 1556 |
| Interactions with the Mughals | Direct interaction between Rani Durgavati’s realm and the Mughal Empire. Abdul Majid Khan, a Mughal subedar, invaded Rani Durgavati’s realm with Akbar’s approval |
| Battle | She defended her realm from the Mughal army, and set up camp in Narrai valley. She refused to leave the battlefield and killed herself with a dagger |
| Legacy and Honours | Renamed the University of Jabalpur as Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya; Commemorated with a postal stamp by the Indian government; Durgavati Express, a train, and ICGS Rani Durgavati, an Inshore Patrol Vessel, named after her; She is hailed as a patriotic ruler and defender of culture, becoming a symbol of pride and honour. |
