In this book the author revives 20 powerful figures from the archives offering us a glimpse of their fascinating lives. Though women rulers have been few in Indian history, they have ruled independently, either as regent or titled rulers, they influenced their husbands or sons, and have been immensely powerful. Some of these women are national heroines. The women rulers span most of India’s ages and regions and there were many more to come to connect the dots.
The book starts with the queens of the Bhauma-kara dynasty. Bhauma-kara dynasty ruled in eastern India between 8th and 10th centuries. Their kingdom, called Toshala included parts of present-day Odisha. There are more than 18 rulers in this dynasty out of these 6 were women known as Mahadevi’s of Odisha.Thribhuvana Mahadevi, Prithvi Mahadevi, Dandi Mahadevi (, Gauri Mahadevi), Vakuladevi and Dharma Mahadevi
Queen of Kashmir Rani Didda of Utpala dynasty who ruled Kashmir between 958 CE – 1003 CE. She was lame but ruled the kingdom for half a century with a ironfist. She is known as the Catherine of Russia
Raziya sultan was the women ruler of Delhi. She belonged to the Delhi sultanate dynasty and ruled between 1236 and 1240. She is the only woman sultan of Delhi. She managed to hold on to her for just four years and died tragically young.
Rudramdevi of the Kakatiya dynasty ruled Orugallu(present day Warangal) in the 13th century. Her rule is considered as the golden age of the Kakatiyas. She completed the construction of Warangal Fort, built a ranga-mandapa dedicated to her family deity (shiva)
To know the valour and bravery of the queens of Chittor(Tarabai, Rani Karmavati) read the chapter Twice-told tales: Truth and Myth. They transcend through the norm of the days and came into prominence
Rani Durgavati was the ruler of Gondwana kingdom in Central India. She was a Rajput Chandela dynasty princess. Durgavati ruled as regent to her minor son Veer Narayan whome declared as king on the sudden demise of her husband King Dalpat Shah. She is remembered for defending her kingdom against the Mughal. She lives on in folk memory to this day. Her bravery gained her the name Durga Shah.
Rani Abbakka Chowta is considered the first woman freedom fighter of India against Europeans and India’s rare woman navel hero. She was the first Tuluva Queen of Ullal. She fought against the Portuguese in the 16th and 17th century. She belonged to the Chowta dynasty, queen of Ullal near Mangalore. There were two queens of the same name Abbakka who fought off Portuguese in 1570 and another Abbakka who destroyed the Portuguese fleet in 1618. In her honour Indian coast guard named a patrol vessel Rani Abbakka after her.
Chand Bibi, ruler and warrior, who ruled as regent of Bijapur her husband's kingdom and Ahmednagar her father's kingdom. She successfully saved her kingdom from the Mughal forces as a warrior.
Nur jahan, wife of Jahangir, was the de facto ruler of the Mughal empire. She was a master strategist in the game of political chess. Her real name was Meharunissa she got the name Nur Mahal on her marriage with Jahangir and later given the title Nur Jahan. Beside administrative and political skills she was creative in the fields of jewellery, entertainment, literature, architecture, gardening, interior designing and cuisine.
Rani Karnavati’s husband Mahipat Shah was the king of Garhwal, died on battlefield while invading Kumaon his son, Prthvipat, was then 7 years old and became the crowned king and his mother appointed regent to the throne. She did not follow the warfare, or expansion of the kingdom but on public works like irrigation to boost the agricuture. In 1640, Mughal governor of Kangra, after convincing Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, initiated the attack on Garhwal. Karnavati chose to fight and in the battle ground she made the general of the Mughal army send a proposal for peace negotiations. Rani Karnavati with lack of fear, showed her contempt for Mughal might by asking the general, she would grant them their lives, but his soldiers' noses would be cut off. To save their lives soldiers threw their weapons and left one by one leaving their noses behind.
Rani Mangammal was the queen regent of Madurai. She is widely remembered as a maker of roads and avenues. She built many canals and tanks as well as a number of choultries. She is also known for her diplomatic and political skills and successful military campaigns. She was also very liberal in allowing the practice of all religions.
The two Chennamma queens- Chennamma of Keladi and Kittur Chennamma- were the rulers of Keladi and Kittur in Karnataka. Chennamma of Keladi saved her Kingdom from the wrath of Aurangazeb. She is remembered for giving shelter for Maratha king Rajaram and facing the anger of Aurandazeb.
Kittur Chennamma was the queen of Kittur who refused to let the British annex her state. She is often called the first woman freedom fighter and great folk heroine in Karnataka.
The Attingal Queens were the rulers of Travancore kingdom in Kerala. They were bold and influential leaders and ruled their kingdom independently for 400 years. Among them were the "Aswathi Thirunal" Umayamma, known as Queen Umayamma or Queen Ashure who dominated Travancore politics until her death in 1698.
Rani Tarabai the Maratha queen was the daughter-in-law of Shivaji-I the founder of Maratha kingdom. She prevented the kingdom from disintegrating and carried the battle over into Mughal territory. She is considered one of the most important factors that contributed to the breaking up of the Mughal empire.
Ahilya Bai Holkar, of Holkar dynasty, known as India’s philosopher queen renowned for good governance, social welfare, and humanitarian work along with religious, educational and cultural advancements. Throughout her reign peace and prosperity remained in the kingdom.
Velu Nachiyar was the queen of Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu. She has been hailed as the first woman freedom fighter against the British East India Company. She was proudly called by Tamilar as Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar (Veeramangai aka brave woman). After her husband’s death by the British she swore revenge. After eight years of exile she gathered her women troops and small force from Dindigul she set off to Sivaganga.On the way many joined her and regained her kingdom from the British. The battle she fought against the British was a remarkable one in history and is still remembered as the story of valour and bravery.
Begum Samru was the ruler of Kingdom Sardhana for 55 years. She was an orphan and did dancing for living she overcome all the obstacles and become the ruler of Sardhana and head of the 4000 troops.
Rani of Jhansi Lakshmibai is India's iconic queen. She was known for her bravery, cleverness, preserverness and a great leader. She fought against British rule in India in 1857 which is still commemorated as the first Independent fight. She is also regarded as one of the greatest freedom fighters in India. Rani Lakshmibai was born in 1828 in Assi Ghat in Varanasi. She was named Manikarnika Tambe and her father, Moropant Tambe, was Brahmin. She was called by the nickname Manu and educated along with her father’s royal students. Rest is history
The kingdom of Bhopal is the only one which was ruled by four women rulers in succession and started with Qudsia Begum. There were four Begums between 1819 and 1901 they were Qudsia Begum, Sikander Begum, Shah Jahan Begum and Sultan Jahan Begum. They managed to navigate their kingdom successfully through hostile conditions such as opposition from powerful male, and the power which destroyed so many dynasties.
Author has used many sources like travelogue, contemporary text, legends and folktales. As a ruler these women are, not different from their male rulers, often made wrong decisions and took on wrong advisors and sometimes lied and cheated in their quest for power. But they were courageous and intelligent leaders. They built roads, instituted laws and were generous patrons of the arts and sciences. Their stories of valour and diplomacy, leadership and wit continue to inspire today.
Author described each personality in such a way that sometimes feels lagging or away from the matter but it is necessary because it is history not a fairy tale
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The women who ruled India-Leaders Warriors Icons
Author: Archana Garodia Gupta
Language: English
Genre: History,Non-Fiction
Pages: 300
ISBN: 9789351951520
Publisher: Hachette India
Country of Origin : India
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