Ten most famous Indian Queens 

Ten most famous Indian Queens 

Image: Pixabay

Originally Published by Angelah in September 2020 and updated by Ruth in August 2022 

You might know India as being a vibrant country, with vibrant people, rich culture, the best hot and spicy food, intricate clothes- everything in the Asian country of India is simply colorful! India is also known as home to the biggest movie industry in the world; Bollywood. These things will fascinate you, but did you know that India has in the past had monarch and some of the most powerful and influential being queens? Yes, different regions have had kings and queens, each had different influence, from fighting off the British to fighting for their rights as leaders as well as the rights of their people. 

Here are some of the most notable Indian queens, their stories are amazing, read on!

1. Rani Lakshmi Bai

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Imagine arriving at war, and at the battleground, you find a young lady with a baby strapped on her back fighting the enemy fiercely! Rani Lakshmi Bai is synonymous with resistance. Anyone who has heard of her or who knows her history will tell you as much! Lakshmi Bai was born in November of 1835 and died at the age of 23, in June 1858. She was the leader of the Indian Mutiny for a year before her death in 1858. She is best known as a young Brahman lady who led the state of Jhansi and organized and fought against the British. One of her most notable works was being one of the leaders behind the Indian Rebellion of 1857. She was widowed at a very young age, but that did not stop her. Her husband had been the Maharaja of Jhansi, they had a son who died soon after birth, and she adopted another boy, who, the British would not let to be heir to the throne.  

2. Rani Padmini

Image: Wikimedia Commons

If beauty and brains were a person, it definitely would be Rani Padmini! The legendary Rani is known for her beauty and wit. She was raised in a high-class kind-of-family, who has been depicted very well by Jayasi, a poet who portrays her as Padmavati. It is said that she was so beautiful that when her husband heard about her (from a talking parrot) he became very much interested, and when he saw her image, he planned an attack and begged King Rawal Singh to see her, but was only allowed to see her reflection on a mirror just to be with her! She was also a brilliant warrior. There are very many versions of Padmini’s story, therefore one cannot know which one is true, but all versions of the story agree on one thing- she was a beauty!

3. Rani Chennamma

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Rani was born on 27th October 1778 and died on 2nd February 1829, in India. She was a fierce warrior, known for leading fights against the British East India Company in the Princely State of Kittur- the present India, where she was queen. She was not a big fan of the British and tried as much as possible to keep them away, she was however arrested and died while in jail. She was brilliant in archery, horse riding, and sword fighting, and even though she was from a small village, she is known all over for her bravery. Her husband the ruler of Kuttur- current India died leaving her with a son who also died not so long after. 

4. Razia Sultana

Image: Famous People

She was the only Muslim woman in history to have ruled India. Even though she had a brother, her father Iltutmish, the Sultan chose her to be the heir to the throne. Something that many people were against, and when he died, the son took to the throne, but he was not the leader type, who took to pursuing his interests instead of political interest. His mother was put to death alongside him and after that, Razia took to the throne much to the unease of many. Since she was young, she did not get a chance to be taught a lot of Muslim traditions for women and now, she even had to dress like men. She was such a brilliant diplomat who was able to woo people to like her, especially the military; and could also pit them against each other. Razia was weirdly taken prisoner by her childhood friend Altunia, who did not like her being a ruler, for diplomatic reasons she married him. They were both killed in battle, not long after.

5. Ahilyabai Holkar

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Almost 300 years ago, Ahilyabai Holkar was born. She is known as one of the most resilient queens in India. Among her many achievements, building Hindu Temples and other public buildings is what she is known to have done. She got married to Khanderao, the son of the Army Chief Malhar Rao, at the age of eight. Even though girls could not go to school back then, her parents taught her how to read and write. Her husband died early, and after a decade her father-in-law too died, and she received a letter he had written trusting her with the title of queen. She did a fantastic job as queen, even though some people were not pleased. She also advocated for the widow’s rights to claim their husbands’ wealth.

6. Meera Bai

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Educated in Music, Religion, politics, and government, Meera Bai, was a bright young lady. She got married to Bhoj Raj the Crown Prince of Mewar, in 1516, she lived a very turbulent life. When her husband died, she was harassed by her brother-in-law. She was also very religious who wanted to portray god’s love through people’s love for each other through poetry. she also faced death threats but that did not stop her; legend says at some point a snake was sent to her but instead she found a picture, and once, she was given poison which she drank and did not die! She continued living a private life and even going on pilgrimages and she often found out that her personality and behavior were not accepted. She is said to have disappeared in Krishna, never to be found again!

7. Rani Avanti Bai

Avantibai 2001 stamp of India by India Post, Government of India – Wikimedia Commons

Avanti Bai was born into the Lodhi community on the lower rungs of caste feudalism. Unlike Laxmi Bai, she was not widowed or without sons. However, the British declared her husband King Vikramaditya Singh insane and her two minor sons unfit to inherit the throne. Avanti Bai responded by throwing the British administrator in Ramgarh out and seizing the regency of the throne. Swiftly she called out to the neighboring kings and gathered an army of four thousand. She met the British army in combat near the Mandla area where she was defeated but did not kill the commander. Singing from the defeat, the British retaliated with a huge army which she fought fiercely. Upon facing imminent loss, she committed suicide by falling upon her sword. Even in her dying breath, she refused to give up the names of her supporters.

8. Begum Hazrat Mahal

Begum Hazrat Mahal – Wikimedia Commons

Hazrat Mahal is known because she chose to defy the colonialists. She crowned her son the heir to the throne, ruled as the regent, and defeated the British capturing Lucknow.  Beautiful yet shrewd she was given the title of Hazrat Mahal. She quickly became an influence in the court. Soon after she took charge as regent, in 1857 she gathered her allies and defeated the British at the Battle of Chinhat. The British were forced to retreat to Lucknow Residency and hold there; an event that became known as the Siege of Lucknow. In return, the British offered her partial control over the affairs of Oudh while maintaining their claim of suzerainty. Hazrat Mahal refused this and led a group of supporters including peasants to rebel against the East India Company. Eventually, she was overpowered by British forces in 1859, and instead of surrendering, she fled to Nepal. She spent her remaining years in Nepal clamoring against British imperialism and passed away in 1879.

9. Velu Nachiyar

Rani Velu Nachiyar and Marudhu brothers by Shakthi Thevar – Wikimedia Commons

The first Indian queen to fight the British colonialists, Velu Nachiyar was the only daughter of the King of Ramnad in Tamil Nadu born in 1730. In absence of any brothers, she was brought up akin to a prince with training in martial warfare and weaponry.  At this time Velu Nachiyar happened to be married to Muthuvaduganathaperiya, the King of Sivagangai who lost his life in this tussle between the British and the French in 1772. She escaped with her daughter. Just as all looked well for the British, in 1780 the queen returned with Hyder Ali by her side. Along with them came a large army she had roused during her hiding. She had found out where the British stored their ammunition and set it ablaze through a suicide attack whereby her army commander Kuyili immolated herself in the storage. Under her instructions, her adopted daughter Udaiyaal blew up the British arsenal through another suicide attack. In gratitude, she formed a women’s army in memory of Udaiyaal.

10. Abbakka Chowta

Ullal Queen Abbakka Devi by Vinayak wiki – Wikimedia Commons

Abbakka Chowta inherited her throne through a matrilineal system of inheritance followed by her community called Aliyasantana. Prior to her succession she was married to Lakshmappa Arasa, the King of Banga, and had three daughters. However, she continued to remain at Ullal, her capital. Rani Abbakka was quite aware of the Portuguese threat and sought a truce at first. However, she refused to pay any tribute to the Portuguese administrators. Since she had forged alliances with different kingdoms and her outreach cut through sectarian divide amongst her citizens, the Portuguese held back at first. In 1527 they attacked Ullal several times in succession in vain. In the end, they only managed to capture it for a short time. The escaped queen returned the favor by raiding the Portuguese camp at night and slaughtering many.