Verangana Rani Durgavati

• PM recently laid the foundation stone of ‘Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan’ in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• The ‘Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan’ project is set to cost about Rs 100 crore.
• It will cover an expansive area of approximately 21 acres and will feature a 52-foot-high bronze statue of Rani Durgavati.
• The 500^th birth centenary of Rani Durgavati is being celebrated with great fervour

ABOUT RANI DURGAVATI

• Rani Durgavati was the ruling queen of Gondwana in the mid-16th century.
• She is remembered as a brave, fearless and courageous warrior who fought for freedom against the Mughals.
• She was born in 1524 in Mahoba’s Chandela dynasty.
• She married Dalpat Shah in 1542, the son of Gond King Sangram Shah, and ruled the kingdom of Garha-Katanga after the death of her husband in 1550 with great vigor and courage.
  • Adhar Kayastha and Man Thakur, two ministers, assisted her in running the government.
  • The Kingdom of Garha-Katanga included the regions of Narmada Valley and parts of Northern Madhya Pradesh.
• Rani Durgavati’s reputation was improved when Bajbahadur(ruler of Malwa province) tried to attack her but was soundly defeated.
• She valiantly but unsuccessfully defended her kingdom against attack by Mughals under Asaf Khan (on orders of Akbar).

OTHER FACTS

• Gond tribe is a prominent tribe in central India known for their rich cultural heritage and resilience.
• Chandelas were known for building the famous Khajuraho temples in the 11^th
• Government of India paid its tribute to the valiant Rani by issuing a postal-stamp commemorating her martyrdom, on 24th June 1988.