Few women in history are still worshipped as a goddess by their own community centuries later. Maharani Veerangana Durgavati is one such figure, a ruler who died fighting for her people, after which her community began revering her as divine. Here is her story, and why the Gond community continues to worship her as a goddess.
Pappu Gond, who belongs to the Gond community himself, says Maharani Veerangana Durgavati came from that same community. She was born on October 5 in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. She was later married to Dalpat in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, who ruled there as king during Mughal rule at the time. The couple stayed together for around 12 to 14 years and had a son during that period, but her husband died, ending that companionship.
After her husband's death, she took charge herself and fought nearly 50 battles
Following her husband's death, Maharani Veerangana Durgavati did not lose courage. She took over the throne of her kingdom herself. Despite being a woman in that era, she ran the administration as ruler and led close to 50 battles. It shows the extent of her courage and leadership that she took on the full responsibility of her kingdom alone after her husband was gone.
Facing defeat against Asif Khan, she chose death over surrender
On June 24, 1664 AD, in her final battle against Asif Khan, Maharani Veerangana Durgavati still refused to give up. As the situation turned against her, she was not willing to accept defeat. Rather than let Asif Khan capture her, she stabbed herself with her own dagger and accepted death, attaining a hero's end. It was this sacrifice that later earned her the status of a goddess within her community. The Gond community is said to be descended from her, which is why she is worshipped in a grand manner today, with temples to her being established in many places.
Museums and a railway station named after her in Madhya Pradesh
Today, museums dedicated to Maharani Veerangana Durgavati stand in several places across Madhya Pradesh. A railway station has also been named after her. The government has, from time to time, unveiled memorials and plaques in her honour. In the same spirit, a temple dedicated to her has also been unveiled in the Deovas area of Mau district in Uttar Pradesh.
Balidan Diwas is celebrated with grandeur every year on June 24
Every year on June 24, Balidan Diwas, her martyrdom day, is observed in her memory with great fanfare. This year too, thousands of people gathered in Mau to mark her Balidan Diwas. This tradition has continued for years, since the Gond community considers itself descended from Maharani Veerangana Durgavati and worships her as their goddess.
