Naiki Devi (also known as Naika Devi) was a Great Indian warrior queen , born to Paramardin, who was the Chief of Kadamba (Goa). Naika Devi was married to king Ajayapala of Gujarat who ascended the throne of Gujarat in 1171 CE.
King Ajayapala died in 1175 and ruled for only 4 years. After his death his elder son Mularaja 2 became his successor. The new king was a minor, so his mother Naiki Devi ascended the throne and effectively ruled as his regent or de facto ruler.
After becoming queen Naiki Devi immediately looked after the administration and military affairs of the kingdom. During this time Mohammad Ghori captured Multan and had already established Ghurid empire over Afghanistan.
With base at Multan, ambitious Ghori decided to invade India for wealth. Motivated by the stories of raids conducted by Moh Ghazni several years before he marched with a huge army to Uch, the southern part of Pakistan’s Punjab province. It is also believed that Moh Ghori’s primary goal was to loot Somnath temple as Ghazni did several years before.
From there they were able to cross the desert and started marching towards Anhilwara (capital of Chalukyan Kingdom). Chalukyan kingdom at that time consisted of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Ghori was well aware of the fact that the Chalukyans didn’t have a king and were vulnerable to attack. He percieved the hindu queen to be weak and easy to defeat as he had a much bigger army at his disposal. But his perception was far from reality.
Meanwhile Naiki Devi sought help from neighbouring feudatory rulers namely Jalor Chahamana ruler Kirtipala, Arbuda Paramara ruler Dharavarsha and Naddula Chahamana ruler Kelhanadeva.
The Chalukyan army was out numbered and to counter this Naika Devi chose the rugged terrain of Gadaraghatta an area at the foot of Mount Abu near the village of Kasahrada. This was chosen by her due to the narrow mountain passages that made it hard for the invaders to attack with full force and diluted their attack.
It is important to note that before the battle Mohammad Ghori sent a messanger to the court of the queen Naika Devi with a condition that he would not attack Gujarat if the queen herself surrendered to Ghori.
After hearing this message Naiki Devi approached towards the camp of Mohammad Ghori with her son tied to her lap. For a moment Ghori thought that the queen had accepted his offer.Soon after it the Rajputs charged the army of Ghori. The combined force of the rajputs under Naiki Devi broke havoc among the Ghurids.
Naiki Devi through her strong will power and combat skills, herself cut down every single invading soldier that came her way. it is astonishing to note that She fought this fierce battle with her child tied to her body.Soon after it the Ghurid army started retreating from the battlefield.The battle resulted in a complete disaster for Moh Ghori. He escaped with few of his bodyguards to save his life.
It is a matter of shame that most people don't know about Naika Devi. Our history books are filled with eulogies on Mughals and other Islamic invaders but rarely mention or do not mention Hindu warriors specially women. Its time to change this unfair treatment of the Hindu warriors who lived and died for our country and Dharma with utmost valour.
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