Saluting the sacrifice of Rani Durgavati in the programme, the Prime Minister announced to celebrate the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Durgavati at the national level on October 5th this year.
- He also announced the making of a film on the life of Rani Durgavati.
- Madhya Pradesh had also launched the six-day Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra on June 22 and marked June 24 – when the queen is believed to have died while fighting the Mughals in the mid-16th century – as a day of sacrifice.
- Starting from Balaghat, Chhindwara, Singrampur (Damoh district), Dhauhani, and Kalinjar Fort in Uttar Pradesh – the natal home of the queen – the five yatras reached Shahdol in MP on June 27.
About Rani Durgavati
- Rani Durgavati is said to have been born in 1524, in Mahoba’s Chandela dynasty. Her father was Raja Salbahan of Ratha and Mahoba, and the Chandelas were known for building the famous Khajuraho temples in the 11th century.
- She was later married to Dalpat Shah, the son of the Gond King Sangram Shah of the kingdom of Garha-Katanga.
- During her reign, Durgavati fought with Baz Bahadur, the sultan of the neighbouring Malwa who was eventually defeated by Akbar.
- The Mughal governor of Allahabad, Asaf Khan, defeated her in a battle.
