BHARAT
WOMEN WARRIORS
In
order to preach the eternal principles of Dharma and righteousness
there have been numerous women saints, scholars, rulers and freedom
fighters who have shone as a beacon of hope and courage under great
odds to millions of women all over the world.This particular page
is here to help educate others about the existence of women warriors
throughout the span of time. Often women dove into battle to protect
their land, homes, ideals or families, the same reasons men did.Today
women still take up arms against enemies, remember the women of
the past and present and let us keep their spirits alive within
our hearts!
1.
Rani Lakshmibai :
![](RaniLaxmiBai.jpg)
She
was born on 19 November,1828 in a Brahmin family, at Kashi now know
as Varanasi. Manikarnika was her first initial name but her family
members called her Manu. She was trained in horse riding, shooting
and fencing. She was very found of doing adventurous tasks since
childhood. At the age of 16, she married Raja Gangadhar Rao, who
was the then Maharaja of Jhansi. She gave birth to a boy child,
unfortunately, the child not survived for a long time. Soon after
the death of the child Raja Gangadhar Rao fell sick. Gangadhar’s
health became very worse and died on November 21, 1853.
In
those days British rulers brought an order that the kings who have
no heir those kingdoms merge into British India, They have already
decided to adopt Damodar Rao as their son for next heir to the Jhancy
Kingdom. But Lord Dalhousie did not considered Damodar Rao as the
legal heir of Jhansi due to the adoption.
Rani
Jhansi was determined not to give up Jhansi. She strengthened its
defences and assembled a volunteer army. Women were also given military
training. Rani’s forces were joined by warriors including
Gulam Gaus Khan, Dost Khan, Khuda Baksh, Lala Bhau Bakshi, Moti
Bai, Sunder-Mundar, Kashi Bai, Deewan Raghunath Singh and Deewan
Jawahar Singh.During this rebellion many British civilians, including
women, and children were killed by the sepoys. The British wanted
to end the rebellion quickly. Meanwhile, unrest began to spread
throughout India and in May of 1857, the First War of Indian Independence
erupted in numerous pockets across the northern subcontinent. She
fiercely fought with British, finally British got victory in March,
1858. Then she moved Gwalior and met Tantya Tope for support to
continue her fight against the British. Her brave and courageous
fight encouraged many warriors in later years, however she lost
her life in the battle of Gawlior on 18, June 1958.
2.
Rani Padmini :
![](ranipadmavati.jpg)
Padmini,
also known as Padmavati, was a legendary 13th-14th century. Padmavati
was the daughter of Gandharv Sen, the king of the Singhal kingdom.
Rani Padmini was an Indian queen who ruled Chittorand by marrying
King Rawal Ratan Singh. He defeated King Malkhan Singh and married
her during a swayamvar. She was so beautiful that even Alauddin
Khilji attacked Chittor in order to capture her. He only wanted
to capture her for her beauty as her harem. The lustful Sultan was
furious and ordered his army to storm Chittor. But hard as they
tried the Sultans army could not break into the fort. Then Ala-ud-din
decided to lay seige to the fort. The seige was a long drawn one
and gradually supplied within the fort were depleted. Finally King
Ratnasen gave orders that the Rajputs would open the gates and fight
to finish with the besieging troops. On hearing of this decision,
Padmini decided that with their men-folk going into the unequal
struggle with the Sultan’s army in which they were sure to
perish, the women of Chittor had either to commit suicides or face
dishonour at the hands of the victorious enemy. A huge pyre (Jauhar)
was lit and followed by their queen.
There
are a number of contesting stories about Padmavati aka Padmini.
While on the one hand, the Rajput community maintains the sanctity
of everything related to her, historians often say that her life
was nothing but a poet’s imagination.
3.
Rani Chennamma :
![](RaniChennamma.jpg)
She
was born in the small village of Kakati in Belgaum, Karnataka in
1778. From a very young age she received training in sword fighting,
archery and horse riding and got private lessons at home. Once King
Mallasarja of Kittur was moving around trying to find support from
neighbouring kingdoms to fight Tipu Sultan and approached Dhulappa
Desai. He then saw Chennamma and was attracted to her confidence
and bravery.Though he was already married and had a son Shivalinga
Rudra Sarja, he took Chenamma as his second wife. They had a son
who died at a young age. King Mallasarja also passed away. It is
said that East India company’s collector and political agent
Thackeray wished to capture Kittur to expand the British Empire.
Rani Chennama now Queen of kittur decided to take charge and rallied
together her trusted men to fight against the British. As a conclusion
of this war British officers including Thackeray were killed. The
remaining officials and soldiers were imprisoned and she ensured
that they were treated with courtesy and kindness.
The
British Empire was enraged at the humiliation of defeat at the hands
of a small ruler and sent bigger armies to Kittur to capture it..
A fierce battle was fought but this time due to a number of traitors
in her camp she lost the battle and was captured by the British
and their treasury looted.
It
is said that such was her indomitable courage and fearlessness that
she tried to escape twice from the Kittur fort but was recaptured
both times and then put in solitary confinement for life. She spent
her days performing pooja and reading the holy texts till her death.In
the year 1829 she died in confinement with the dream of a free Kittur
in her heart and mind. Her burial place or Samadhi is at Bailhongal
taluka surrounded by a small park.
Rani
Chennama was a great example of this principle of real living by
showing to the world that one woman could stand against the might
of the British Empire for upholding justice and righteousness.A
statue of Rani Chennamma was inaugurated in Parliament building
in New Delhi in the year 2007 by the then president and prime minister.
A number of memorials have been set up naming schools, parks etc
in her name. Every year her legacy is commemorated from October
22 to 24 during the Kittur Utsav.
4.
Ahilyabai Holkar :
![](AhilyabaiHolkar.jpg)
She
was born in the village of Chondi in Jamkhed, Ahmednagar in 1725,
she was fondly referred to Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar was the Holkar
Queen of the Malwa kingdom. Her father, Mankoji Rao Shinde, was
the Patil (chief) of the village. Her father home schooled her to
read and write. She was married to Khanderao Holkar in 1733 at the
tender age of 8.But unfortunately her husband Khanderao was killed
in the battle of Kumbher in 1754, leaving her a widow at only 21.
Ahilyabai’s only son Male Rao Holkar ascending the throne
under her regency. Young monarch Male Rao too died, a few months
into his rule, on 5 April 1767. Ahilyabai stood undeterred even
after loosing her entire family.She did not let the grief of her
loss affect the administration of the kingdom and the lives of her
people. She took matters into her own hands. She petitioned the
Peshwa after her son’s death, to take over the administration
herself. She ascended the throne and became the ruler of Indore
on 11 December 1767. The supreme ruler of the Empire, Peshwa Raghoba,
was instigated by one of Ahilyabai’s own ministers to confiscate
the excess wealth of Indore. Ahilyabai pointed out to him that under
the agreements that existed the wealth of the treasury was supposed
to be for the well being of her subjects or for charitable purposes.
The
Peshwa was infuriated that she defied him, and threatened military
action. She in turn challenged him to come and meet her on the battlefield.
She gathered a small force, which included many women, and set out
to fight. A message was sent to the Peshwa: “Now I will show
you how weak I am. If I lose fighting against men I will have lost
nothing. But if you lose against women then you will be in the soup!
And remember, that is exactly what will happen.”
The
Peshwa had a change of heart. He said, “You have misunderstood.
I do not come to fight, but to mourn your son’s death.”
He ended up staying as Ahilyabai’s guest for a month and was
thoroughly impressed at the skill with which she ruled. For example,
she had greatly reduced crime and theft, by encouraging poor people
to get involved in trade and farming.At the age of 70 Ahilyabai
passed away in Rameshwar. Her life shines brightly in the firmament
of history, for ruling her kingdom with piety and selflessness;
sincerely devoting herself to her subjects while keeping Dharma
at the forefront of all that she did. Her life will be an inspiration
for future generations of Hindus.
5.
Akkadevi :
![](Akkadevi.jpg)
Akkadevi
was well known for being an able administrator and capable general.
She was a princess of the Chalukya dynasty of Karnataka and governor
of an area known as Kishukadu, situated in the present day districts
of Bidar, Bagalkot and Bijapur. Her life journey started from 1010
CE and ended in 1064 CE.
She
was also called Gunadabedangi, meaning “beauty of virtues”.
She was a lady of beauty with brains who governed KishuKadu as an
adept general, administrator and a governor.In the course of Akkadevi’s
rule, she expanded her province, encouraged education through grants,
and gave liberally to Jain and Hindu temples. Akkadevi was said
to be “a personage of great reputation and consequence”.An
inscription dated 1022 calls her as courageous as Bhairavi in war.
6.
Maharani Jijabai :
![](MaharaniJijabai.jpg)
Jijabai
was born in 1594 in the town of Sindhkhed in Maharashtra. Her father
was an eminent Maratha Sardar and nobleman named Lakhuji Jadhavrao,
while her mother was Malasa Bai. Her father served the NizamShahi
of Ahmednagar and was proud of his high position and status. She
tied the knot with Shahaji Bhosle, Together they had eight children,
of whom six were daughters and two were sons, Shivaji being one
of them, the legendary Maratha king and warrior who stood strong
against the rivaling Mughal Empire.
Jijabai
remained with her husband at the Fort of Shivneri, devotedly standing
by his side; however, she was disappointed with the fact that both
he and her father served under other rulers, while she longed for
freedom under a kingdom founded by the Marathas themselves.Jijabai
was known to be an influential and determined woman who was an embodiment
of self-respect and virtue.
7.
Abbakka Rani :
![](AbbakkaRani.jpg)
Abbakka
Rani was the queen of Tulunadu who fought the Portuguese in the
latter half of the 16th century. She belonged to the Chowta dynasty
who ruled over the area from the temple town of Moodabidri. The
port town of Ullal served as their subsidiary capital.
•
The first attack by the Portuguese in south Kanara coast was in
1525, when they destroyed the Mangalore port. Rani Abbakka was alerted
by the incident and started preparing herself to protect her kingdom.
• The Portuguese, clearly upset by Abbakka’s
tactics, demanded that she pay them tribute but Abbakka refused
to yield. In 1555, the Portuguese sent Admiral Dom Álvaro
da Silveira to fight her after she refused to pay them tribute.
In the battle that followed, Rani Abbakka once again managed to
hold her own and repulsed the attack successfully.
• In 1557, the Portuguese plundered Mangalore
and laid it waste. In 1558 the Portuguese Army implemented another
wanton cruelty on Mangalore, putting to death a number of men and
women, both young and old, plundering a temple, burning ships and
finally setting the city itself on fire.
• Again, in 1567, the Portuguese army attacked
Ullal, showering death and destruction. The great Queen Abbakka
resisted it.
• In 1568, João Peixoto, a Portuguese
general and a fleet of soldiers where sent by the Portuguese Viceroy
António Noronha. They managed to capture the city of Ullal
and also entered the royal court. Abbakka Rani, however, escaped
and took refuge in a mosque. The same night, she gathered around
200 of her soldiers and mounted an attack on the Portuguese. In
the battle that ensued, General Peixoto was killed,seventy Portuguese
soldiers were taken prisoners and many of the Portuguese retreated.
In further attacks, Abbakka Rani and her supporters killed Admiral
Mascarenhas and the Portuguese were also forced to vacate the Mangalore
fort.
• In 1569 however, the Portuguese not only
regained the Mangalore fort but also captured Kundapur. Despite
these gains, Abbakka Rani continued to remain a source of threat.
With the help of the queen’s estranged husband, they mounted
attacks on Ullal. Furious battles followed but Abbakka Rani held
her own. In 1570, she formed an alliance with the Bijapur Sultan
of Ahmed Nagar and the Zamorine of Calicut, who where also opposing
the Portuguese. Kutty Pokar Markar, the Zamorine’s general
fought on behalf of Abbakka and destroyed the Portuguese fort at
Mangalore but while returning he was killed by the Portuguese. Following
these losses and her husband’s treachery, Abbakka lost the
war, was arrested and jailed. However, even in prison she revolted
and died fighting.
8.
Rani Durgawati :
![](ranigurgavati.jpg)
Born
to Keerat Rai, the chandel king of Kalinjar, Durgavati was married
to Dalpat Shah of Gondwana of Rajgond dynasty. She inherited the
throne after her husband and successfully defended gondwana from
the attacks of sultans of Malwa. She repelled mughal army three
times but at last her army consisting of tribals with primitive
weapons failed to stop the mighty mughals. She killed herself at
last of the battle.
9.
Rani Jawahar Bai :
![](ranijawaharbai.jpg)
Daughter
in law of Rana Sanga and wife of the most unpopular king Vikramaditya
of Mewar , Jawahar bai was a well trained worrior. She refused to
do Jauhar and fought against army of Gujarat sultanate. She sacrificed
her life for the protection of Mewar and chittorgarh.
10.
Rudramma devi :
Daughter
of Kakatiya king of Warangal , she inherited the throne after her
father and successfully defeated Yadavs of Deogiri and forced them
to surrender a large number of territories. She stopped the Gangas
of Odisha to the north of Godavari.
11.
Rani Avanti bai :
![](raniavantibai.jpg)
She
was wife of Vikramaditya Singh of Ramgarh and was denied the throne
after his death. During the revolt of 1857, she successfully attacked
the Britishers and gained control of several territories. But her
rule did not last longer than four months. The Britishers were set
to regain control with her efforts of reorganising her army failing
miserably. She died a tragic death. In order to save her honour
and avoid being captured, she stabbed herself with her own sword.
12.
Tara Rani Sahib :
Tara
Bai was wife of chatrapati Rajaram , who lead the Marathas after
his death. Tara bai was an able administrator as well as a brave
warrior. She continued the Maratha-Mughal wars for years until shahuji
returned from Agra.
13.
Bibi Sharan Kaur :
![](bibisharankaur.jpg)
Originally
a simple lady who was going to husband's house after marriage, and
then she was attacked by pathans. Some Sikhs saved her and she decided
to become a sikh warrior. She fought many battles and worked as
a spy for Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa.
13.
Onake obavva :
Onake
Obavva was a woman who fought the forces of Hyder Ali single-handedly
with a pestle (Onake) in the kingdom of Chitradurga of Karnataka,
India. Her husband was a guard of a watchtower in the rocky fort
of Chitradurga. She killed many soldiers of Haider Ali with the
pestle but was found dead on the same day.
14.
Maharani Tarabai :
![](maharanitarabai.jpg)
Wife
of the third Maratha Chhatrapati Rajaram, she was the daughter of
Prataprao Gujar, once Commander-in-chief of Shivaji Maharaj.
Following
the death of Shivaji, Aurangzeb initiated a big Deccan expedition.
He was resisted bitterly by the Marathas, first under Sambhaji and
later Rajaram, the second son of Shivaji. After Rajaram's death
in 1700, she proclaimed her infant son as the successor and herself
as the regent, and against all odds, spearheaded the resistance
against a mighty foe.
She
was well versed in the art of war. She herself took lead in various
battles, and made strategic movements. For seven years, she carried
the struggle. The Mughals were heavily bleeded from a prolonged
strife. Death of Aurangzeb in 1707 ended the 27-year long war.
Return
of Shahu: Shahu was the son of Sambhaji, imprisoned by the Mughals
when seven, was released (aged 25) to divide the Maratha onslaught.
He instantly claimed the throne, which Tarabai denied. Due to his
lineage and Balaji Vishwanath's diplomacy, many generals went over
to Shahu. Tarabai opposed him, but Shahu prevailed. She established
a rival court in Kolhapur in 1709, but was deposed again. After
Shahu's death, she had a big influence on the Empire.
In
words of Jadunath Sarkar, 'It is her character that saved the nation
in that awful crisis.
15.
Rani Karnavati :
![](rahikarnavati.jpg)
Rani
Karnavati also known as “Nak kati Rani” ruled in the
Garhwal region of Uttarakhad state. In 1631 Rani Karnavati’s
husband ‘Mahipati Shah’ died in a fierce battle between
the kingdom of Garhwal and Kumaon , at that time his son was only
7 year old. Hence, queen of Mahipati Shah took over the administration.
She ruled over for many years to come, during which she successfully
defended the kingdom against invaders and repelled attack of Mughal
army of Shah Jahan led by Najabat Khan in 1640.
During
that period, the Mughals were ruling over a very big part of India,
as Garhwal kingdom was very close to Delhi so a attack was inevitable
.
The
Mughal army was well equipped for the war and the only thing they
lacked was the experience of fighting the enemy in the tough Himalayan
mountains. Shahjahan who was the Mughal emperor was well aware that
Mahapati Shah, the king of Garhwal kingdom had died and a lady was
sitting on the throne so nobody could stop their army from attacking
the kingdom. He then handed his army’s command to Najawat
Khan for attacking the Garhwal Kingdom.
The
Mughal army crossed the Ganga River at Haridwar from where they
march towards Srinagar Garhwal. The Mughal army was so confident
by their recent wins that they entered the region marked by Rani
Karnavati.
Rani
Karnavati instructed her commander Dost Beg to build hurdles on
the route from where the Mughal army was marching. On every mile,
the Mughal army has to cross a wall of stones and fallen trees.
It not only wasted their time and energy but also distributed them
in small troops. Meanwhile, on the other side the gorilla Garhwal
soldiers attacked them in the speed of thunder and after the attack,
they used to hide quickly. Because of this ambush, the Mughal army
became terrified of the Garhwal army as they repeatedly attacked
the Mughal troops whenever they had the opportunity. Since the Mughal
army was naive to this place they couldn’t gave a strong fight.
Soon
the monsoon started and the rain worsened the situation, the nights
became ghosts for the Mughal soldiers and a few days journey seemed
like a never-ending gradient. Taking advantage of the moment, Rani
Karnavati ordered her army to attack the Mughal battalions with
full force. The Garhwal army obeyed her orders and erased the Mughal
soldiers. Some of them died, some fled from the war zone to save
their life and some jumped into the river Alaknanda and drowned
in the river eventually. As per the orders of Rani Karnavati the
remaining Mughal army soldiers were captured by the Garhwal army
as and their noses were cut off and the message was conveyed
“
The sword which could cut noses could cut heads too”
hence
she became famous as “Nak kati Rani”. In this way the
Mughal advance into the mountain passes was restrained by the fierce
Queen
She
is also credited with the construction of the Rajpur Canal, the
earliest of all the Dun canals, which starts from the Rispana river
and brings its waters till the city of Dehradun.
16.
Velunachiyar :
![](Velunachiyar.jpg)
Velunachiyar
was an 18th century Tamil queen from Shivganga. Velu Nachiyar was
the first Queen to fight against the British in India, even preceding
the famous Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.
She
was trained in the skills of using weapons and also in martial arts
including fencing, shedding arrow, spear throwing, horse riding
and archery. All of which helped her in later parts of her life.
Apart from heroic arts & sports, she knew ten languages. The
young woman who grew up with valor and bravery, met a turning point
in her life.
Muthuvaduganathar,
King of Shivganga married Velunachiyar in the year 1746 inspired
by her beauty and bravery. The Nawab of Arcot along with the British
conquered Ramanathapuram and their next target was Shivganga. “Chinna
Maruthu” and “Periya Maruthu” known for their
bravery were the combat commanders of the King and Queen. King Muthuvaduganathar
was killed in Kalaiyar koil by the British troops and Nawab of Arcot
in 25.06.1772.
Velunachiyar
decided to take revenge on the British for killing her husband and
capturing her kingdom. Dalavay Thandavaraya Pillai and Maruthu brothers
promised to recapture the kingdom to punish the English. Velunachiyar
moved to different places often in order to avoid British invaders.
Meanwhile Velunachiyar wrote a letter to Sultan Hyder Ali seeking
his help. Since she didn’t get a reply from him, she decided
to meet Hyder Ali face to face. She explained in detail all her
problems with East India Company to Hyder Ali in Urdu.
She
explained him her strong opposition of British regime. Hyder Ali
was very much pleased and promised to help her in this conflict.
He accepted her request with sympathy and provided the necessary
military Assistance. He ordered to provide the required military
equipment to Queen Velu Nachiyar.
After
forming an Army, Velunachiyar and her troops advanced to Shivganga
with the help provided by Maruthu brothers. They geared up the troops
and entered Shivganga. When Velu Nachiyar found the place where
the British stored their ammunition, she arranged a suicide attack.
Her faithful follower, Kuyili, doused herself in oil, set herself
alight and walked into the storehouse. Velu Nachiyar formed a woman's
army named "udaiyaal" in honour of her adopted daughter,
Udaiyaal, who died detonating a British arsenal.
She
defeated the Nawab of Arcot and took him as a captivator. She re-captured
Shivganga and crowned herself as the Queen of the Shivgangai Seemai.
Velunachiyar mounted the flag of Hanuman over the castle.
Nachiyar
was one of the few rulers who regained her kingdom, and ruled it
for ten more years. She granted powers to the Marudu brothers to
administer the country in 1780. In 1790, the throne was inherited
by her daughter Vellacci.
Source :
https://www.reckontalk.com/
greatest-queen-warriors-in-indian
-history-story-of-sacrifices-and
-bravery/
https://www.quora.com/Other-
than-Jhansi-ki-Rani-who-are-the-
most-powerful-women-warriors-
in-Indian-history