Context:
PM performed bhoomi poojan of ‘Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan’, in line with the celebrations of the 500th birth centenary of Rani Durgavati.
About Rani Durgavati:
- Born in Chandel Dynasty of Mahoba in Banda, Uttar Pradesh.
- Married to Dalpatshah of Gond Dynasty of Garha-Katanga in 1542.
- She took reins of the Gond Dynasty in 1550 after Dalpatshah’s death as the guardian of her son Veer Narayan.
- Contributions –
- Reservoirs like Ranital, Cherital, and Adhartal were constructed
- Capital was shiftred from Singaurgarh to Chauragarh on the strategically important Satpura Hill Range.
- Granted permission to Acharya Bitthalnath to establish a Pushtimarg Cult center in Garha.
- Others –
- Tarikh-i-Firishta mentions Durgavati defeated Baz Bahadur, the ruler of Malwa.
- During her reign, Akbar attacked the Gond Empire under the leadership of Asaf Khan.
- Story of Durgavati was chronicled by Abul Fazl (Akbar’s chronicler) and British Colonel, Sleeman.
Chandela dynasty:
- An Indian Rajput clan of Central India (Jejakabhukti dynasty)
- Founded by – Nanuka in 835 CE.
- Capital city – Khajuraho (later changed to Mahoba)
- Architectures –
- Khajuraho Temples of mid-10th century
- Sun temple in Mahoba and multiple temples inside of Kalinjar Fort.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?
“Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) Ashoka
(b) Samundragupta
(c) Harshavardhana
(d) Krishanadeva Raya
Answer: (a)
