India is a land with a deep and rich past, the land has been ruled by rulers from all around the world, who have in their ways carved their names in the pages of history books. But when talking about Indian history and rulers who shaped the country, we ought to talk about the queens of India, whose stories are a testament to their grace, strength, and valour. The idea of how only great kings have shaped India might not be completely truthful, let us look at the queens who have proved why they were better rulers, thinkers, business experts, and warriors.
Razia Sultan
Razia Sultan, the only woman to lead the Delhi sultanate, was born to Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish. To the dismay of his nobles, who could not accept a female ruler, Sultan Iltumish chose Razia as the heir apparent following the death of her eldest brother and the previous heir apparent Nasiruddin Mahmud. As the nobles installed her brother Ruknuddin Firuz as the new monarch in her place—a brutal and ineffective leader—Razia was forced to contend for the throne. By organising and directing the populace towards a rebellion, this Indian queen overthrew him and took the throne. She then imprisoned and beheaded Ruknuddin. Even though Razia Sultan’s rule was brief, she showed herself to be a talented and strong leader.
Razia objected to being referred to as “Sultana.” She did this because she believed the term made a gendered reference to her. She even assumed control of the dynasty’s management and made friends with Delhi’s top Sultans. She founded schools, academies, research centres, and public libraries because she believed in more than just governing and looked at the well0being of the people.
Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai
The final regent queen of Travancore, Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai, was born in Kerala’s Kottayam region. She succeeded to the throne of Travancore in 1924 after Mulam Tirunal Maharaja passed away on behalf of young Chithira Tirunal, the future Maharaja.
Her community saw her as a supporter of women’s rights. Because she believed in women’s ability to work and pursue higher education, she had a promotion placed in place. She invited college-educated girls to join her for tea at her palace. She even instructed the Women’s College in Trivandrum to begin offering courses in history, natural science, languages, and mathematics when she first allowed female students to pursue legal studies in 1927. She promoted women from local to governmental roles during her rule, ensuring that they had an equal voice in making choices about the administration.
Rani Abbakka
Rani Abbakka, a 16th-century fighter, is renowned for her unwavering resistance to the Portuguese as they started colonising the regions near the Indian Ocean. Little Abbakka learned about this as she grew older. She was determined to fight the Portuguese when she was crowned queen. Angered by her brazenness, the latter declared war on the palace where she resided.
These assaults started in 1556 and persisted for some years after that. The queen, on the other hand, was a fighter and always came out on top. She was wounded and taken prisoner by the enemy in one of these crossfires, but fate had other intentions. She is also regarded as the first woman ‘freedom fighter.’
Kittur Chennama
The ruler of Kittur, a princely state in present-day Karnataka, was Kittur Chennama. On October 23, 1778, Kittur Chennamma was born in Kakati, a small village in what is now the Belagavi District of Karnataka, India. She was a member of the Lingayat Panchamasaali group. At the age of fifteen, she wed Raja Mallasarja of the Desai family. She was a Lingyat native. She received early lessons in horseback riding, archery, and sword fighting. In 1824, she lost her son and her husband in quick succession, leaving her in charge of a kingdom at war with the British.
This Indian queen was also one of the first female monarchs to lead her troops into war and fight the British. She won the initial engagement and captured two British officers, who were eventually freed after the British agreed to leave Kittur alone.
Ahilyabai Holkar
Mankoji Shinde and Sushila Shinde welcomed Ahilyabai into their Marathi Hindu family in the Maharashtrian hamlet of Chaundi, where her father, Mankoji Shinde, served as the Patil and was descended from a reputable Dhanga family. Ahilya’s father taught her to read and write even though women weren’t allowed to attend school back then.
Ahilyabai frequently observed how little emphasis was placed on women’s education. Despite her father homeschooling her, she has always had a concern for other people. Anyone who saw Ahilya’s rise to power claimed that her encounter with destiny was what ultimately made her the queen. This is due to the fact that she lost her husband, her in-laws, and her kid all within a short period of time, despite marrying into a royal family and giving birth to a prince.
Rani Durgavati
Rani Durgavati heard tales of bravery and pride as a young princess growing up in the royal family. She was therefore ready when it was time for her to take the throne. Many saw her as a threat because of her army of 1,000 war elephants and 20,000 cavalrymen, but she was brave because of this support. Since she knew Akbar’s army was coveting the fort, she didn’t back down when she moved her capital from Singorgarh Fort to Chauragarh in the east.
Durgavati was struck by two arrows during the battles the Mughal army fought to take the fort. She chose to commit suicide by stabbing herself in the stomach as opposed to choosing a long, torturous death by the enemy.
These queens might have died fighting for their country and community, but tales of their bravery and power are eternal.
