Why in news? Prime Minister performed bhoomi poojan of ‘Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan‘ .

Highlights:

• The ground breaking ceremony is in line of 500^th birth anniversary celebration of Rani Durgavati

About Rani Durgavati

• Rani Durgavati was the Queen regent of Gondwana in 1550-1564 A.D.
• She served as regent of Gondwana during the minority of her son, Vir Narayan, and is chiefly remembered for defending Gondwana against the Mughal Empire.

Life

• Born in the family of the Chandel Rajput king Shalivahan(Kirttivarman II), who ruled the Mahoba kingdom
• She was married to Rajput Dalpat Shah Kachhwaha, the adopted son of Gond King Sangram Shah.
• After her husband death, she took the leadership of Gond kingdom and defeated Bajbahadur
• Her kingdom regions of Narmada Valley and parts of Northern Madhya Pradesh.

Contemporary

• Mughal General, Khwaja Abdul Majid Asaf Khan and his emperor Akbar
• Asaf Khan had attacked the kingdom and initially she  triumphed in the battle against Asaf Khan’s  but latter defeated by them

Legacy

• The Madan Mahal Fort in Jabalpur is famous for its association with the Queen Durgavati and her son, the Crown Prince Vir Narayan.
• Government of Madhya Pradesh renamed the University of Jabalpur as Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya in her memory.
• The Indian Coast Guard commissioned ICGS Rani Durgavati, the third Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) of its kind.
• Her martyrdom day (24 June 1564) is commemorated as “Balidan Diwas”.