Akhilesh to attend function in memory of ‘tribal’ icon in Madhya Pradesh

Akhilesh to attend function in memory of ‘tribal’ icon in Madhya Pradesh

Subject : History

Section: Personality

Concept :

• In an effort to honour the contributions of lesser-known personalities hailing from marginalised social and caste groups, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav will participate as the chief guest in an event in Madhya Pradesh celebrating Rani Durgavati, a much-respected tribal icon.

About Rani Durgavati

• Rani Durgavati was born on 5th October 1524 A.D. in the family of famous Chandel emperor Keerat Rai. She was born at the fort of Kalanjar(Banda, U.P.)
• Chandel Dynasty is famous in the Indian History for the valiant king Vidyadhar who repulsed the attacks of Mehmood Gaznavi. His love for sculptures is shown in the world famed temples of Khajuraho and Kalanjar fort.
• Rani Durgavati’s achievements further enhanced the glory of her ancestral tradition of courage and patronage of arts.
• In 1542, she was married to Dalpatshah, the eldest son of king Sangramshah of Gond Dynasty.
• Chandel and Gond dynasties got closer as a consequence of this marriage and that was the reason Keerat Rai got the help of Gonds and his son-in-law Dalpatshah at the time of invasion of Shershah Suri in which Shershah Suri died.
• 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.
• After the death of Shershah, Sujat Khan captured the Malwa zone and was succeeded by his son Bajbahadur in 1556 A.D. (Bajbahadur is famous in history for his tumultus love affair with Rani Roopmati).
• After ascending to the throne, he attacked Rani Durgavati but the attack was repulsed with heavy losses to his army. This defeat effectively silenced Bajbahadur and the victory brought name and fame for Rani Durgavati.
• In the year 1562 Akbar vanquished the Malwa ruler Baj Bahadur and annexed the Malwa with Mughul dominion. Consequently, the state boundary of Rani touched the Mughal kingdom.
• Rani’s contemporary Mughul Subedar was Abdul Mazid 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 Mughul emperor.
• Her martyrdom day (24th June 1564) is even today commomorated as “Balidan Diwas”.
• The Mughal encounter with the Rani was documented by Abul Fazl, Akbar’s chronicler and other Persian writers
• Rani Durgavati’s was a personality with varied facets. She was valiant, beautiful and brave and also a great leader with administrative skills. Her self-respect forced her to fight till death rather than surrender herself to her enemy.
• She, like her ancestral dynasty, built so many lakes in her state and did a lot for the welfare of her people. She respected the scholars and extended her patronage to them. She welcomed the Vitthalnath of Vallabh community and took Diksha from him. She was secular and appointed many eminent Muslims on important posts.
• The place where she sacrificed herself has always been a source of inspiration for freedom fighters.