Maharani Durgavati was born on October 5, 1524, in the family of famous Rajput Chandel Emperor Keerat Rai. Chandel Dynasty is famous in the Indian History for the defence of king Vidyadhar, who repulsed the Muslim attacks of Mahmud Ghaznavi. Rani Durgavati's achievements further enhanced the glory of her ancestral tradition of courage and patronage of arts.
She was married to Dalpat Shah, the eldest son of King Sangram Shah of Gond Dynasty. She gave birth to a son who was named Vir Narayan. Dalpatshah died in about 1550 A.D. Rani Durgavati took complete administration of the Gond kingdom in her hands. Rani moved her capital to Chauragarh in place of Singaurgarh. It was a fort of strategic importance situated on the Satpura hill range. Trade flourished during this period. People were prosperous. Like her predecessors, she extended her territory and accomplished the political unification of Gondwana, also called Garha-Katanga, with courage, generosity and tact. Her large well-equipped army is said to have consisted of 20,000 cavalry and 1,000 war elephants besides a good number of foot soldiers. Rani Durgavati combined beauty and grace with courage and wisdom. She carried out many useful public works in different parts of her kingdom, winning the hearts of her people. Rani Durgavati's was a personality with varied facets. She was valiant, beautiful and brave and also a great leader with administrative skills. She defeated Akbar thrice. Her self-respect forced her to fight till death rather than surrender herself to her enemy. The place where she sacrificed herself has always been a source of inspiration for freedom fighters. Her martyrdom day (24th June 1564) is even today commemorated as “ Balidan Diwas ”.
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