Highlights
Journalist-author Nandini Sengupta in her latest biography, ‘Rani Durgawati: The Forgotten Life of a Warrior Queen', has attempted to revive the much-forgotten 16th century queen, Rani Veerangana Durgawati. The book is Shortlisted for AutHer Awards 2023 in the Non-fiction category.
Sengupta through the pages of her book ‘Rani Durgawati' explores the life of a formidable yet forgotten warrior queen of the Gond kingdom of Garha Mandla-- through folk tales and songs. Interestingly, while Rani Durgawati is forgotten by the world at large, she continues to be a symbol of hope and resilience for the tribal Gonds, even after 460 years of her rule! In this book, Sengupta has tried to bring to the fore her life and time, and legacy.
According to the author, Rani Durgawati has been forgotten because of three reasons-- first because she was a woman, secondly because she was a Queen of a tribal kingdom, and lastly her adversary was a man-- Akbar.
This is a well-researched biography of the tribal queen, a Rajput princess who married a tribal Gond. She died fighting for the tribal people and their rights. But while the world sees her as a forgotten tribal Queen who lost her kingdom to Mughal emperor Akbar, for her people she still remains the most ideal monarch who fought for them until her last breath. This is a delightful read for history buffs, and those who would like to know more about our feminist past.
