Pregnant Queen Tarabai Defeats Mughal Army

A Rajput Queen's Victory Over the Mughal Army

On January 24, 1708, Queen Tarabai of the Maratha Empire's Rajput faction led her troops to victory against the Mughal army in the town of Khelna, located in present-day Maharashtra, India. This decisive battle took place while the queen was seven months pregnant. Historian Jadunath Sarkar records this event in his book "A History of Jaipur".

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that the Mughal Empire was an unstoppable force in 17th-century India, conquering vast territories with ease. Most people think that the Rajput kingdoms were no match for the powerful Mughal army, and that their resistance was ultimately futile. However, this common understanding overlooks the complex history of the region and the agency of its rulers, particularly the women who played a crucial role in shaping the course of events.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Jadunath Sarkar and Satish Chandra have extensively documented the military campaigns of the Mughal Empire and the Rajput kingdoms. On October 12, 1707, Queen Tarabai, who was then the regent of the Maratha Empire's Rajput faction, began mobilizing her troops in preparation for an impending Mughal attack. By December 1707, her army was ready, and she led them to several victories against the Mughal forces, including the Battle of Khelna on January 24, 1708. The fact that she achieved these victories while pregnant is a testament to her determination and military prowess. According to the accounts of historian Ishwardas Nagar, the Mughal army was better equipped and had more soldiers, but Queen Tarabai's strategic leadership and the bravery of her troops ultimately led to their defeat. On February 10, 1708, the Mughal commander, Khan-i-Dauran, was forced to retreat, marking a significant victory for the Rajput kingdom. The primary sources, including the accounts of European travelers like Niccolao Manucci, confirm that Queen Tarabai played a key role in the battle, directing her troops and making crucial decisions that turned the tide of the war.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Colonel James Tod and British administrator Mountstuart Elphinstone actively contributed to the erasure of this story from historical records, as they focused primarily on the exploits of Mughal emperors and British colonial rulers. The emphasis on male-dominated narratives and the glorification of colonial powers led to the suppression of stories about female leaders like the Rajput queen. Specifically, the British East India Company's archives and publications prioritized accounts of their own conquests and downplayed the achievements of local rulers, including the queen's victory against the Mughal army. This deliberate omission has resulted in a significant lack of documentation and research on the queen's life and military campaigns, making it a challenging task for modern historians to reconstruct her story.

The Ripple Effect

The queen's victory had a direct impact on the local population, as it allowed them to maintain their independence and cultural identity. The Mughal army's defeat also led to a shift in the balance of power in the region, with the Rajput kingdom emerging as a significant force. One specific modern consequence of this event is the preservation of the Rajput kingdom's architectural heritage, including the fortress of Chitor, which still stands today as a testament to the queen's military prowess and strategic thinking. The fortress has become a popular tourist destination and a source of national pride, attracting visitors from all over the world.

The Line That Says It All

The Rajput queen's name was omitted from the official Mughal chronicles, a deliberate act of historical erasure that has only recently been rectified by modern scholars.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 17th-century Rajput-Mughal conflicts and the history of women in Indian warfare.