Rani Durgawati: The Visionary Leader Who Inspired Generations
Approximately 500 years ago, the summer solstice, marking the end of Uttarayana, occurred approximately 10 days earlier compared to the current summer solstice. The forests were lush, and the rains abundant in this part of the world, Bharat. Raj Garha, often referred to as the “The Golden Gourd,” stood as one of the most prosperous kingdoms in Bharat. Rani Durgawati reigned as their queen. She was renowned for her extraordinary leadership, vision, administrative skills, and deep love for her people. However, the wheels of time, the Kalchakra, turned away.
To contextualize the time of Rani Durgawati, it is important to note that during that era, the indigenous people in America, discovered by Columbus a few decades earlier in his quest for India, faced rapid elimination. Meanwhile, in Europe, revolutionary concepts such as heliocentrism proposed by Copernicus and Kepler’s theory of planetary motion were yet to be discovered. Galileo, just a toddler at the time, had been born only a few months earlier in Italy. The world beyond the realm of Bharata and Garha seemed to exist in primitive forms, far away from the modern culture and the advancements of modern science.
It was the year 1564 and 24 June according to the Georgian calendar. The summer solstice had fell on the 11th of June in the northern hemisphere. The Sun had already embarked on its southward journey, known as Dakshinayan in Bharat. According to the Hindu calendar, the day was Ashadha, Shukla Paksha, Panchami. Vikram Samvat 1621. On this fateful day in Narai Nala, Rani Durgawati, the valiant queen of Raj Garha, achieved immortality through her fierce battle against formidable enemies, the Mughals. From that day onward, the world underwent a permanent transformation for her people in Garha or Raj Gond or Gondwana
459 years later, on the 24th of June 2023, we stood at Narai Nala, the very place where Rani Durgawati achieved her immortality. Her Samadhi Sthal remained nestled in the untouched wilderness, a testament to her enduring legacy. Simple statues of Rani Durgawati and her loyal elephant Sarman proudly stood, while captivating murals adorned the surrounding walls, depicting the extraordinary moments of her life.
As we stood there in silence, an overwhelming sense of awe enveloped us. Words seemed inadequate to express our emotions, leaving only the sound of silence and goosebumps. It felt as though the ancient trees hidden deep within the forest had once encountered Rani Durgawati, their roots preserving the memory of her resolute voice, fierce eyes, and serene countenance. Above her statues, clouds gathered from all sides, as if seeking forgiveness for not bestowing enough rain upon the cannons that had dismantled the might of her army.
Throughout our journey to the Samadhi Sthal, my 7-year-old daughter struggled to comprehend the fact that Rani Durgawati had chosen to end her own life rather than be captured alive by the enemy. Restlessness consumed her, and she broke down the moment we reverently placed flowers at the feet of the courageous queen. I had no answers to offer her. Why, 500 years ago, did a Hindu queen embrace such a fate while injured in the midst of battle? It is during the tender years of childhood, when innocence prevails, that children should be immersed in love and the enchantment of wonder. Only when their minds mature can they process stories of pain, violation, and desecration. But when the time is right, as parents, we owe them the truth—the unadulterated truth free from bias and fear. We must share the truth in our language, present the stories from our perspective, and illuminate the world as it truly exists.
Upon our departure from the Samadhi Sthal, the people from different village had arrived, adorned in resplendent traditional attire. They exuded an aura of celebration, dancing and singing praises for their beloved queen, their living goddess. Rani Durgawati reigns in their hearts, whether 500 years or 1000 years pass; she forever remains their queen. Witnessing their unwavering devotion, we, the Daughters of Durgawati, women hailing from diverse parts of the country, were united in our shared determination to ensure that Rani Durgawati’s spirit thrives in the hearts and minds of people far beyond the boundaries of Garha.
I recommend reading the book “Rani Durgawati: The Forgotten Life of a Warrior Queen” by Nandini Dasgupta. In this poignant account, the author delves into the true story of Rani Durgawati, providing profound insights into her life as a visionary leader, an astute strategist, and a warm-hearted individual deeply devoted to the people of Raj Garha. It is a book that expands our minds, cultivating a greater awareness of our own selves and our shared heritage.
