Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah will inaugurate a 6-day Gaurav Yatra on June 22 in Balaghat to take the story of Rani Durgavati’s valour and sacrifice to the masses. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will conclude the Gaurav Yatra in Shahdol on June 27.
Rani Durgavati’s Gaurav Yatra will start in 5 different districts Balaghat, Chhindwara, Singrampur of Damoh, Kalinjar Fort in Banda of U.P., and Dhauhani in Sidhi on June 22 and will reach Shahdol on June 27. This yatra will reach Shahdol from Balaghat on June 27 via Baihar, Bichhia, Dindori, Pushparajgarh, Anuppur and Jaitpur. From Chhindwara, the Gaurav Yatra will reach Shahdol via Chaurai, Seoni, Kyolari, Lakhnadoun, Mandla, Shahpura, Umaria and Pali Manpur. From Singrampur (Jabera Damoh) the Gaurav Yatra will reach Shahdol via Jabera, Majholi (Patan), Sihora City, Jabalpur City, Bargi Samadhi (Panagar Vidhan Sabha), Kundam (Sihora Vidhan Sabha), Shahpura (Dindori District) and Birsingpur Pali. From birth place Kalinjar Fort (U.P.) it will reach Shahdol via Kalinjar, Ajaygarh, Pawai, Badwara, Vijayraogarh, Amarpur and Manpur will reach Shahdol. From Dhauhani in Sidhi, it will reach Sidhi via Kusmi, Beauhari, and Jai Singh Nagar.
Rani Durgavati ruled valiantly for 15 years as the ruler of Gondwana kingdom. She defeated the enemies in about 50 battles during her reign. Rani Durgavati has a unique distinction of defeating the Mughals thrice. Rani Durgavati, counted among the brave women in Indian history, was a brave, fearless and very courageous warrior and fought for freedom against the Mughals till her last breath. Programmes are organized for a week in memory of their sacrifice. In the same series, programmes based on her bravery and valour will be held in the 6-day Gaurav Yatra.
Rani Durgavati was born on 5 October, 1524 in Kalinjar Banda in the family of famous Chandela emperor Kirat Rai. She was married in 1542 to Dalpat Shah, son of Gondwana ruler Sangram Shah. Rani Durgavati became the heiress of the kingdom of Gondwana after the death of her husband. Rani Durgavati sacrificed her life while facing the enemies with courage and bravery. A memorial has been built in his memory at her samadhi at Barela, situated between Jabalpur and Mandla.
In honour of Rani Durgavati, the state government renamed the University of Jabalpur as ‘Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya’ in 1983. The Government of India issued a postal stamp in his name on 24 June 1988, on her martyrdom day.
