Women on the Throne: Stories of India's Fearless Queens

India's history is rich with powerful and influential queens who defied societal expectations and shaped the course of their kingdoms. From fierce warriors to astute diplomats, their stories have inspired every generation. Even today, they serve as potent symbols of female strength, resilience, and leadership.

Some of India's most remarkable queens provide powerful role models for young girls in India, demonstrating that women can be leaders, warriors, and agents of change. Their courage, intelligence, and unwavering spirit continue to define the essence of women's empowerment and leadership in modern society. Through their tales, we uncover not just historical narratives, but the profound impact women can have on shaping the world around them.

These queens highlight the importance of education, courage, leadership, and social responsibility. They demonstrate that women can be powerful, compassionate, and capable of shaping their own destinies, providing a rich and inspiring legacy. This legacy continues to define and redefine the meaning of female strength in India today. Through statues, folktales, historical accounts, and popular culture, the impact of these queens continues to shape attitudes towards women's potential and their role in society.

Today, on the occasion of Women's Day, we bring you some unforgettable names, who might have died fighting for their country and community but the tales of their bravery and power are eternal.

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Born in 1658, Jivubai Shirke was married in 1666 to Sambhaji Maharaj, Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj's first son, while her husband was 8 to 10 years old. At that time child marriages were common and it was a political alliance. After marriage, Jivubai was named Yesubai. She had two children, Bhavani Bai and Chattrapati Shahu I.

Recognizing her intelligence, Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj appointed her as the Kulmuktyar (a figure who can intervene in matters of justice) of the Swarajya.

Yesubai Ranisaheb was a trusted advisor to her husband, often managing daily administrative tasks during Chattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s absence on military campaigns against the Mughal, British, and Portuguese. To give her the power to make political decisions independently, she was given her own Rajmudra (royal seal), "Shri Sakhee Radnyee Jayati".

After Aurangzeb captured Chattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Swarajya's duties fell to her. Following Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's horrific execution by Aurangzeb, she valiantly defended the Raigad Fort for 7 to 8 months but had to surrender it to protect the safety of the royal family. She crowned Yuvraj Rajaram as the next Chhatrapati of the Marathas. She showed her excellent diplomacy and political skills during the time.

While defending the Swararjya, Yesubai Ranisaheb and her son Shahu fell into Mughal hands. Yesubai Ranisaheb demonstrated remarkable strength and courage during her 29 years of captivity under the Mughals, getting her son released in the process. Despite being a prisoner, she maintained secret communications with her son, the King of the Maratha Empire ensuring the Maratha Empire remained strong. In 1719, Maharani Yesubai was freed by the Mughals as the Maratha Empire became stronger under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath. She continued to fulfill her duties as the Rajmata.

After her release, Maharani Yesubai 4 July 1719, was marked as the "Day of Bravery" to recognize her bravery and strength. It is a reminder that bravery has no gender, and patriotism has no gender.

Born in 1730, Velu Nachiyar was the princess of Ramanathapuram and the only child of the King and Queen of the Ramnad kingdom. From an early age, she was trained in many methods of combat and was a scholar in many languages, such as French, English, and Urdu. In 1746, she married Muthu Vaduganatha Periyavudaya Thevar and was a close advisor, mentor, and confidant to the prince.

In 1772, her husband was killed in a battle with East India Company's soldiers and Rani Velu Nachiyar was drawn into the conflict. Initially retreating, she sought the help of Hyder Ali, who initially refused to help, but then later helped her with training, soldiers, and arms. She planned for 8 years before fighting the British East India Company with the assistance of feudal lords, Tipu Sultan, Marudhu brothers, and Thandavarayan Pillai.

When Rani Velu Nachiyar found the East India Company's ammunition, her commander Kuyili made an unprecedented move. She ran into the ammunition depot, set herself on fire, and blew up the depot, thus becoming the first suicide bomber.

In 1780, Rani Velu Nachiyar waged war against the British and successfully reclaimed her kingdom, which she governed for 10 years. In 1790, she passed the throne to her daughter Vellacci, and passed away in 1796.

Rani Velu Nachiyar is bestowed with the title of Veeramangai by Tamils, which means "brave woman", thus making her full title "Veeramangai" Rani Velu Nachiyar.

Razia Sultana (full name Raziyyat-Ud-Dunya Wa Ud-Din) was one of the strongest rulers of the entire Delhi sultanate. Being the first Muslim woman to achieve such a higher status, she became one of the most important faces of her time and a symbol of bravery. The term "Sultana" actually came into use by modern writers and is a misnomer as it means "the king's wife" rather than "female rule". In her time, Razia was called Sultan Jalalat al-Duniya wal-Din or as al-Sultan al-Muazzam Raziyat al-Din bint al-Sultan.

Razia was born in 1205 to the Delhi Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish and Turkan Khatun, Iltutmish's chief wife. She was his eldest daughter and most likely his first-born child.

Iltutmish had initially planned on having his eldest son, Nasiruddin Mahmud, as his successor, but his son died in 1229, unexpectedly. Per historians, Iltutmish's other sons were too absorbed in pleasurable activities and were not capable of handing state affairs, thus in 1231, when leaving for his Gwalior campaign, Iltutmish left Razia as in-charge of Delhi's administration. Iltutmish was impressed with the way Razia performed her duties and named her as his successor when he returned.

Unfortunately, Razia's ascension to throne was not as easy as that. Iltutmish's nobles opposed his decision and after his death, appointed Iltutmish's son, Ruknuddin Firuz, as the new king. However, Ruknuddin was not a capable ruler and left control of the administration to his mother Shah Turkan. The two's actions over a short period of 6 to 7 months led to a rebellion by several nobles and by the public, especially after the duo executed Iltutmish's popular son Qutubuddin and attempted to do the same with Razia. Several nobles and the army pledged allegiance to Razia at this time and placed her on the throne, making her the first female Muslim ruler in South Asia.

Even after her ascension to throne in 1236, she faced stiff opposition from Turkic origin nobles. These nobles created a rebel group, but over time Razia was able to fight the rebels. 2 leaders defected to her side and the others were captured and executed when they escaped.

During her reign, Razia made several important appointments and was not without various military campaigns. Apart from the Turkic rebels, she fought against an invasion of Ranthambore, attempted to re-assert Delhi's control over Gwalior (a campaign that had to be aborted), and a rebellion where the Shias revolted against the Sultanate.

Over time, Razia continued to assert herself. She issued coins solely in her own name. She appeared in public dressed in male attire, wearing a cloak and a hat, instead of observing pardah. She rode on elephants through Delhi's streets and made public appearances like earlier Sultans. Along with these actions, her appointment of non-Turkic people to important posts, created resentment among the nobles who had supported Razia, as they had intended for her to be a figurehead.

During her time, Razia had bestowed favours upon 2 slaves purchased by Iltutmish, Ikhtiyaruddin Aitigin and Ikhtiyaruddin Altunia, assigning them officer positions in her court. In 1240, these 2 officers planned with other Turkic officers to overthrow her, while she was fighting a rebellion in Lahore. When she returned, she learnt of Altunia's rebellion, but was unaware of the other rebels and while attempting to capture Altunia, she was imprisoned and her loyalist Yaqut was killed.

After her imprisonment, the rebel nobles stationed in Delhi appointed another son of Iltutmish, Muizuddin Bahram, to the throne. Again, the nobles expected this new king to be a figurehead, but within a few months, he had Ikhtiyaruddin Aitgin assassinated. Altunia was also cheated by the nobles, who distributed important offices among themselves and ignored Altunia. He allied with Razia and the 2, along with some other disgruntled Turkic nobles, assembled an army. But Sultan Muizuddin Bahram led an army against their forces and defeated them. On retreating, Altunia and Razia were also killed by a group of Hindus on 15 October 1240.

Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi was born on 19 November 1828 as Manikarnika Tambe in Varanasi. She was the daughter of a court advisor, Moropant Tambe, and Bhagirathi Bai, a very wise woman. She was very different from the other girls of her age at that time. While the other girls were busy learning household chores, she was being trained in sword fighting, archery, and horse riding. These skills would later define her.

She was married to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and became a queen at the age of 14. After marriage, her name became Laxmibai.

In 1851, she became a mother to Damodar Rao, a baby boy, but he passed away in a few months. She then adopted a child named Anand Rao with her husband in the hope of securing the throne; they gave him the name of their late son–Damodar Rao. 2 years later, her husband also passed away in 1853.

Her greatest battle was against the British, they had refused to recognize her adopted son as the rightful heir. Lord Dalhousia annexed Jhansi under the doctrine of Lapse despite her refusal to surrender. She vowed to protect the kingdom and her people.

India’s first war of Independence erupted in 1857. She gathered her forces and trained soldiers, including women, to protect her palace.

In March 1858, Jhansi was attacked by the British under Sir Hugh Rose. Her warriors fought bravely for days even though the British outnumbered them. Eventually the British won and Laxmibai had to flee to Kalpi on a horse with her son tied to her back to avoid capture. There, she joined forces with Tatya Tope and Rao Sahib and, together, they recaptured Gwalior.

The battle of Kotah ki Serai came on 17 June of the same year. She fiercely fought her enemies with her sword as she had been trained since a young age. The British overpowered her, but she refused to be taken alive by them–hence she sacrificed herself and ensured her body was cremated so her enemies would not be able to find her.

Rani Laxmibai became a legacy. She wasn’t just a queen, but a warrior. She will always be remembered as Jhansi Ki Rani, and continue to live on in the hearts of those who fight for justice.

A very happy Women's Day to all!

Happy women's day everyone

Happy Women's Day to everyone!!!

Happy Women’s Day! Let’s celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere. Dear woman, you are a phenomenal mother, an incredible wife, a selfless individual, and a remarkable daughter. Take pride in being a woman. Your ability to bring new life into this world is unparalleled. Let’s continue to uphold our strength. Your presence in this world itself is a celebration.

Nice thread. Thanks to Crazy Creatives team

Happy women's day to all

Nice thread 👌