Mediyaan YuvaNaiki devi – the Gujarati Queen from Goa was a valiant warrior queen who defeated and sent away Muhammad Ghori in 1178 when the Ghurid Sultan tried to invade Gujarat. The defeat affected Ghori so much affected that he never again marched towards Gujarat.
Bharat is a Bhoomi of valour where at every nook and corner, Goddess Shakti in various forms like Durga, Amman or Kali is worshipped. Goddess Shakti is the Goddess of Power and Valour. In the country when a female Deity is worshipped as an embodiment of Strength, how can the Bhoomi be devoid of valorous females?
Time-to-time, across ages, history is evident that Bharathiya females have displayed their might whenever need arose. Whether purposefully or by neglect, true stories of such bravery of our Bharathiya queens and soldiers have been hidden from our reach and knowledge.
Muhammed of Ghor also known as Muhammed Ghori was the ruler of Ghurid. Although Muhammed Ghori later invaded some parts of central Bharat, he faced some big set-backs in the initial years. One such defeat was when he attempted to invade Gujarat which left a heavy impact both on his army and his psyche.
Rani Naiki Devi was the daughter of the Kadamb King of Goa Mahamandaleswar Parmadi . She was well-trained in combat skills, archery, horse-riding and strategy-making.
Princess Naiki Devi married the Salunki Raja Ajayapala and became the queen of Gujarat. The kingdom was also called the Chalukya Kingdom.
Raja Ajayapala died in 4 years after ascending the throne. In 1175, Young Prince Mulraj – II was bestowed the throne. Widowed Raj Mata Naiki Devi, as the regent and guide of Mulraj – II governed the empire.
In 1178, having crossed the Indus, with the base at Multan and Uch, Muhammed Ghori aimed to invade the Chalukya region which he viewed as an easy target as the King was a minor and the empire was governed by a lady. Muhammed Ghori with a mighty army was very confident of easy victory.
When Rani Naiki Devi got the news about the plans of Muhammed Ghori to attack Anhilwara – the capital city of the Chalukyas by crossing the dessert, she decided that the Battle should take place at Kasahrada.
The Rani first sent request of support from neighbouring kingdoms. She did not get major support from big empires. However, she received acceptance of support from the Rulers of small Kingdoms and Feudal Chiefs. Raj Mata Naiki Devi knew that the number count of her army even with the troopes of the allies was very less when compared to the huge army of Muhammed Ghori. Yet, as a true Kshatriya, the queen did not step back. She was ready to fight.
Rani Naiki Devi made some strategic planning. She decided to use the narrow, rugged terrain region at the foothills of Mount Abu near the village Kasahrada as the venue for the battle.
While her preparations were on full swing, Muhammed Ghori sent a message asking the Raj Mata of the Chalukya Empire to surrender to him and that if she surrenders, he would spare the attack.
The Kshatriya Dharma says that the duty of a Ruler is to safeguard the territory and people by fighting against the invaders. Keeping up the Dharma of the Land, the Queen did not surrender herself and her Kingdom to the invading forces. Instead, she charged with a force on the army of Muhammed Ghori.
With her army constituted with the allies, leading the Chalukyan army, Rani Naiki Devi with her young son on her lap tied to her, made her direct attack on Ghori and his army. The terrains were not comfortable to Ghorian army to fight.
Moreover, Naiki Devi’s fight was so powerful and fierce that Muhammed Ghori could not sustain for long. Muhammed Ghori turned his back and fled from the battlefield with his army.
The defeat was so intense that Muhammed Ghori never again tried to invade Gujarat in his lifetime. He used other routes like Punjab to enter Bharat, but never again attempted entry into Bharat through Gujarat.
This is the valorous history of the Bharathiya Queen Naiki Devi who fought and drove away the invader Muhammed Ghori from entering Bharat through the region which was under her governance.
Dr.M.VIJAYA