Power. Conflict. Victory. I hear no gender. Yet, flipping back through time, we see a male-dominated narrative. Were women truly forbidden from becoming leaders unless it was to serve their men or deliver the next heir? Or were they more involved than what the storytellers narrate and what people choose to believe today? Indian history takes us thousands of years back with countless settlements having flourished, diminished and rejuvenated. Despite its unique features, each settlement shares in common a sense of community, a distinct cultural identity and a seat of authority. Today, the evidence confirming human, cultural and social evolution, lies trapped in ancient edifices and prevails through the people. While many legends glorify male leaders who have done great for their kingdom, the women of action remain hidden in their shadows. However, history has not let women down just yet. Some have been celebrated for their bravery, intellect and authority. Their pursuit of progress and freedom led them to shine decades after their deaths. Let’s embark on the journey of three such women warriors, who have shown great feats in fulfilling not only household duties but also demonstrated great administrative control, bravery on the battlefield and an ambitious architectural vision.
As Indira Gandhi once said, “the power to question is the basis of all human progress.”
Who saved the Rajshahi Zamindari estate in Natore from the British in the 18th century?
Rani Bhabani was brought to fame overnight when her husband, Raja Ramkanta Moitra, died in 1748 and left behind almost 13000 square miles in Natore along with the responsibility of several families and towns. His death, her destiny. Without hesitation, she spent almost 50 years in the Rajshahi estate of Natore, now in Bangladesh, managing her husband’s lands efficiently.
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The 18th century saw the rise of the British Empire in the Indian subcontinent. At a time when women heading the table were not given a single thought, the Rani of Natore made her roaring appearance and emerged as a fine administrator. Marking her legacy in architecture, she built numerous shrines and constructed a road from Howrah to Varanasi. Rani Bhabani, having visited Varanasi in 1770 and built the Durga temple, returned with the vision to create a Kashi in Bangladesh. So, she executed the ambitious project of erecting over a hundred temples in a large complex in Baranagar. Additionally, she sponsored the construction of several water tanks to cater to the water shortage in the region. Rani Bhabani was also recognized for her benevolence. She donated a vast amount of money to encourage learning and education. Temples with charity houses were built to support the needy and the helpless. Throughout her rule, Rani Bhabani exhibited intellect, strength and generosity. Her adventures came to an end with her death in 1803 and the vanishing of the glory of the Rajshahi zamindari family.
Several temples built by the queen perished as the surrounding river deviated from its course. However, some landmarks like the Natore Palace continue to exist today, resonating with the ambition and valour of the queen.
Who ascended the Malwa throne to protect the welfare of her kingdom after the death of the male leaders of her family?
The year 1725 marked the birth of a female warrior. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar was born in a small village south-west of the kingdom. Against all odds, she was taught reading and writing by her father from an early stage and was raised with simplicity. When she was eight years old, Ahilya married Khande Rao, the son of Malhar Rao Holkar. Her father-in-law trained her in military and administrative affairs. Hardly had Ahilya reached the age of twenty years that she was widowed. It is said that she prepared herself for sati before Malhar Rao stopped her from doing so. From this moment, Ahilya began performing various duties as a leader. Her training of several years prepared her for the courage to continue her battles when she lost her son.
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After Malhar Rao’s death, the responsibility was passed on to Ahilyabai’s son Male Rao, who too passed away soon, hardly giving any time for his rule. Finally, in 1767, Indore found a new ruler, a name synonymous with the city today – Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. She proved her worth to male leaders, countering rebellions and gaining victories in battles. Rani Ahilyabai carried forth a 28-year rule from the nearby town of Maheshwar, with the kingdom flourishing in the administrative, commercial, cultural and social realms. She would hold public meetings and address the grievances of citizens. The homeless and the orphaned were no longer neglected, and the merchants were encouraged to enhance trade. Another legendary contribution attributed to Rani Ahilyabai is the creation of the Maheshwari saris. She made Maheshwar an exquisite platter of music, literature and art, with several Marathi poets and Sanskrit scholars treading through the town. She took an interest in architecture, establishing numerous forts, highways, wells and temples. Her enthusiasm spread as she built dozens of temples, ghats, wells, tanks and rest houses. While Rani Ahilyabai paved her own path, she must have faced emotional scars that often left her broken. One such scar was losing her daughter to sati – the biggest irony of her life. In 1795, the Malwa kingdom shut its eyes to an incomparable legend.
In The Discovery of India, Jawaharlal Nehru writes how Ahilyabai’s reign “became almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good government prevailed and the people prospered.” Besides being “a very able ruler and organizer,” Ahilyabai was remembered as “a saint.”
Who protected the Maratha Empire from the Mughals in the beginning of 18th century AD after the death of three heirs?
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Dialling back a few years, a woman warrior of the Mohite clan was born in 1675. Like Ahilyabai Holkar, Tarabai Bhonsale learnt archery, horsemanship and sword fighting from the early years of her life; she is also said to have been married at the age of 8. Her new Maratha family led to a big transformation in her life. The first 17 years of her marriage were marred by the absence of her father-in-law, the founder of the Maratha kingdom; the loss of the next heir, Sambhaji, followed by the death of her husband, Rajaram I, only to be left with their infant son, Shivaji II. Tarabai did not commit sati after her husband’s death. As Shivaji II was crowned the king, Tarabai became the regent queen. She could barely fathom the tumultuous events unfolding before her, and then the Mughals from the north raided the Maratha Empire. But Rani Tarabai Bhonsale fought with a rare courage that left all her enemies open-mouthed. Tarabai’s intelligence and awareness of civil and military affairs helped her rise above every obstacle. The rise of Tarabai came with the numerous battles she fought against the Mughals. From 1700 to 1707, Tarabai solely organized the Marathas’ defence against the armies of the sixth Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. She kept evolving as a leader, emerging as an unstoppable, resilient woman. After Aurangzeb’s death, Tarabai faced the most difficult battle – a clash with her family. The release of Shahu by the Mughals caused cracks in the strong political edifice of the Marathas. Tarabai did not acknowledge Shahu’s superiority. As he became the sovereign in Satara, she established a rival court at Kolhapur. Her son eventually lost the Kolhapur throne as Shahu conspired against her with Rajaram’s second wife. Even after being imprisoned and losing her son, Tarabai’s story did not end in Maratha history. Growing tension between Shahu and Sambhaji II, the son of Rajaram and his second wife, and later, the failing health of Shahu allowed her to regain her influence in politics. She proposed that her “grandson,” a man hidden for several years, ascend the throne after Shahu’s death. Unfortunately, he would be lured by the Peshwa and refuse to obey Tarabai. Tarabai’s story would come to a close some months after the third Battle of Panipat, which led to the tragic defeat inflicted on the Maratha Empire by Ahmed Shah Abdali. Some believe that because of Tarabai, the Mughals failed in overpowering the kingdom decades ago.
These were just three stories of women who have become eternal legends. There were other women too, those who challenged and defeated powerful enemies. Rani Lakshmibai, Maharani Jind Kaur of Punjab, Naiki Devi of Chalukya dynasty, Rani Abbakka Chowta of Ullal, Rani Durgavati of Gondwana, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of the Travancore kingdom, Rani Chennabhairadevi of Saluva dynasty and Sultan Raziya of the Delhi Sultanate; the past is filled with stories of powerful women.
Women from different backgrounds, presenting different stories, had unique ways of creating history. As Mother Teresa once said, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
REFERENCES
- https://buzzchronicles.com/b/all/19657/
- https://www.natore.gov.bd/en/site/page/gUnK-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF
- https://www.thebetterindia.com/292468/brave-indian-queens-in-history-ahilyabai-holkar-abbaka-chowta-rani-chennama-durgavati/
- https://indianculture.gov.in/snippets/rajmata-ahilyabai-holkar
- https://www.thebetterindia.com/119761/queen-ahilyabai-holkar-maratha/
- https://www.historified.in/rani-tarabai-bhonsale-the-warrior-maratha-queen/
Image 1: Natore Rajbhari, Palace of Rani Bhabani
Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natore_Rajbari
Image 2: Rani Ahilyabai Holkar
Source : https://indianculture.gov.in/snippets/rajmata-ahilyabai-holkar
Image 3: Rani Tarabai Bhonsale
Source : https://www.historified.in/rani-tarabai-bhonsale-the-warrior-maratha-queen/
About The Author
Aalya Rekhi
Aalya Rekhi is an architect with work experience of 5 years in the field of cultural heritage from ICOMOS and INTACH. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s in Applied Sciences of Cultural Heritage, Materials and Sites from the University of Padua, Italy. At a conference, she once heard someone say, “Heritage is what you choose to inherit,” and with “such great power comes great responsibility.” Breathing in a land of rich and diverse history, she has always been passionate about documenting and preserving the precious archives of the past that are fast-decaying but hold memories that have shaped the world today.
