Rani Kamlapati: The Last Hindu Queen of Bhopal

When Rani Kamlapati reigned over the Bhopal area in the 18th century, she was considered the Gond queen of the region. As one of the Gond king Nizam Shah’s seven wives, she was a prominent figure. Choudhari Kirpa Ramchandra was her father’s name. Her beauty and fortitude made Rani Kamlapati famous across India. She constructed a seven-story structure known as the ‘Kamlapati Palace.’ It is presently listed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as one of Madhya Pradesh’s recognised monuments. The palace’s design was symbolic. Let us know more about the Rani kamlapati history in this article.

Who is Rani Kamlapati’s Husband ?

Nizamshah was a courageous, daring, and highly talented individual in all areas of expertise. He was married to Rani Kamalapati. In her marriage to King Nizamshah, Rani Kamalapati had a fulfilling life. The couple had a son, whom they named Nawal Shah, shortly after the birth of their child.

As a gesture of his affection for Rani Kamalapati, King Nizam Shah constructed a seven-story palace in Bhopal constructed of Lakhori bricks and mud. The magnificence and splendour of this seven-story castle were well-known.

The Reason Behind the Death of Rani Kamlapati’s Husband

According to Gond tales, Alam Shah, the nephew of Nizam Shah, was envious of his uncle’s riches and the attractiveness of Rani Kamlapati. He had attempted to propose to the queen, but she had declined. He repeatedly targeted king Nizamshah, and he was unsuccessful each time. When he invited King Nizamshah to lunch, he poisoned the food and assassinated the king due to his kind invitation because he was enraged by the rejection and filled with jealousy. 

Following the death of Nizah Shah, Rani Kamlapati moved to her castle with her son Naval Shah to avoid being captured by Alam. The queen wished to revenge on her husband’s murder, but she lacked both an army and the financial means to do so at the moment.

Rani Kamlapati’s Assistance with Dost Mohammad Khan

Dost Mohammad Khan, a former member of the Mughal army, was asked by the queen for assistance in seeking revenge for the murder of Nizam Shah. Khan consented but sought Rs. 1 lakh from the queen, which she accepted. In exchange for Khan’s pledge that he would protect her dignity, the queen knotted Rakhi on Khan’s wrist as a sign of respect.

Khan led the Gond and Afghan armies into combat, where he was victorious, and Alam Shah was slain. Following Alam’s death, Rani Kamlapati ascended to the realm’s throne. When the time arrived to make the payment to Dost Mohammad Khan, Rani could not provide the necessary funds and had to give Khan a portion of her dominion. Aside from that, he was appointed as administrator of Kamlapati’s dominion. 

Rani Kamlapati committed herself in the vicinity of her palace in 1723. Dost first pretended to be loyal to Rani’s son Nawal Shah, who owned the Ginnor fort and was granted permission to reside in the fortress. To go to Ginnor, Khan disguised 100 of his warriors as ladies and transported them there in dolis intended to house his wife and children. The dolis were allowed to enter the fort without being examined by the Nawal Shah’s guards, who were not expecting it. Khan’s men assassinated Nawal Shah and his bodyguards in the middle of the night. Khan then seized possession of the Ginnor fort and other areas of Kamlapati’s realm, which he used to expand his empire.

Rani Kamlapati Palace 

A fine illustration of modern secular architecture from the early eighteenth century, the Kamlapati palace is the oldest existing specimen in Bhopal Town. An elegant façade of lakhauri brickwork supports pointed arches sustained by fluted columns, merlons in the form of lotus flowers, and frames, which hold up the Chhajjas on this double-storied structure. As you make your way up the winding pillars and long, swooping staircases, you’ll come across balconies overlooking the lake and a garden filled with lush plants. India’s Archaeological Survey Office is now in charge of preserving and protecting a large portion of its living legacy.

Conclusion 

Rani Kamalapati has cemented her position in history as the first woman to take Jal Samadhi to protect a lady’s honour and cultural heritage. This action on her part was a continuation of the same Jauhar tradition, in which our women have fought valiantly to preserve our nation’s history, faith, and tradition with unwavering determination. Rani Kamalapati lost everything, but she could retain her dignity, and she served as an inspiration to future generations to not be afraid to make sacrifices to safeguard one’s dharma. According to folklore in the Gond region, Rani Kamlapati would arise from her lakeside castle accompanied by a lotus flower and 500 attendant maidens on rowboats and float across the lake at nightfall.