About Rani Durgavati Memorial in MP: UPSC Current Affairs

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Context:

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved to build a memorial and garden for Rani Durgavati on Madan Mahal Hill in Jabalpur.

About Rani Durgavati

Rani Durgavati was an influential queen of Gondwana from 1550 to 1564. She was a member of the Chandela Rajput family and married King Dalpat Shah, the son of King Sangram Shah of Gondwana, this marriage united the Chandelas of Mahoba and the Rajgonds of Garha-Mandla and strengthened their kingdoms.

Becomes a Ruler

When King Dalpat Shah died in 1550, Rani Durgavati took over the administration, working with Diwan Adhar Kayastha and Minister Man Thakur to manage the kingdom effectively.
She focused on promoting peace, trade, and goodwill in Gondwana. To improve the kingdom’s defense, she moved the capital from Singorgarh Fort to the strategically located Chauragarh Fort in the Satpura range.

Conflict with Mughal

In 1562, Akbar, the Mughal Empire, after defeating Baz Bahadur, the ruler of Malwa, threatened Gondwana; Mughal army general Khwaja Abdul Majid Asaf Khan desired to conquer Rani Durgavati’s kingdom.
When Rani Durgavati learned about the invasion, she prepared to defend her kingdom. Advisors alerted her about the Mughal strength, but she believed that it was better to fight than to surrender.
She bravely fought and pushed back the Mughal forces three times, but continuous battle drained her resources and the Mughal force dominated her troops.
Facing defeat, Rani Durgavati chose to take her own life rather than be captured. She killed herself on June 24, 1564, a day now remembered as "Balidan Diwas" or Martyrdom Day.

Her Legacy

In 1983, Madhya Pradesh renamed Jabalpur University as Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya in her honour.
In 1988, the Government of India issued a postal stamp to commemorate her sacrifice.
In 2018, the Indian Coast Guard launched the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Rani Durgavati, an inshore patrol vessel.

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Source:

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided:

Assertion (A): Rani Durgavati is remembered as a symbol of resistance against the Mughal Empire.

Reason (R): She was one of the few women rulers to lead her forces in battle during that era.

Which of the options given below is correct?

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation for A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation for A.

C) A is true but R is false.

D) A is false but R is true.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Assertion (A) is true; Rani Durgavati is remembered for her valiant resistance against the Mughal invasion led by Asaf Khan in 1564.

Reason (R) is true; Rani Durgavati was one of the few women rulers who personally led her troops into battle, showcasing her bravery and leadership.

While both statements are true, the reason provided (R) does not directly explain why Rani Durgavati is remembered as a symbol of resistance. Her resistance is more specifically tied to her actions against the Mughal Empire rather than the fact that she was a woman ruler leading her forces.