The story that Naiki Devi personally led the Solanki army on the battlefield, as Merutunga wrote, is probably inaccurate
But did queen Naiki Devi play any role in this battle? Is Merutunga the only source hinting at her role?
I shall try to examine the same in this thread
1/n
But did queen Naiki Devi play any role in this battle? Is Merutunga the only source hinting at her role?
I shall try to examine the same in this thread
1/n
First of all, we know that Mularaja II was just a boy when he ascended the Chaulukyan/Solanki throne, and he ruled for not more than 3 years. 13th century chroniclers refer to him as "Bāla Mularāja".
As was the established custom of that time, his queen mother, Naiki Devi+
2/n
As was the established custom of that time, his queen mother, Naiki Devi+
2/n
+must have been his supervising regent. But do we have any direct evidence hinting at role in the battle against Ghori?
Actually, yes!
3/n
Actually, yes!
3/n
Veraval stone inscription of Mularaja's successor Bhimadeva II states that during Mularaja's reign, "even a woman easily conquered king Hamira in a battle"
This is a clear refrence to the 1178 CE battle against Ghori, and imo, this also hints that Naiki Devi did play some+
4/n
This is a clear refrence to the 1178 CE battle against Ghori, and imo, this also hints that Naiki Devi did play some+
4/n
+role in that battle
But that's not it.
13th century prashati Sukritakirtikallolini, written by Jain Monk Udayaprabha Suri, also hints at Naiki Devi's role. It states that Mularaja defeated Hammira (Ghori) with an army that his mother had given him to play with!
5/n
But that's not it.
13th century prashati Sukritakirtikallolini, written by Jain Monk Udayaprabha Suri, also hints at Naiki Devi's role. It states that Mularaja defeated Hammira (Ghori) with an army that his mother had given him to play with!
5/n
Thus, I feel there's enough evidence, circumstantial & otherwise, which hint at her role in that battle
She most probably didn't personally lead the army on the field, but as the acting regent of the Solanki kingdom, she did, to say the least, "inspire" their forces to victory!
She most probably didn't personally lead the army on the field, but as the acting regent of the Solanki kingdom, she did, to say the least, "inspire" their forces to victory!
I feel she did more than just "inspire" the Solanki + Paramara+Chauhan army
It does appear that she was actively involved in coordinating key events leading up to that battle, and maybe, she was even present at Kasahrada, although certainly not at the frontlines!
@satoverma
It does appear that she was actively involved in coordinating key events leading up to that battle, and maybe, she was even present at Kasahrada, although certainly not at the frontlines!
@satoverma
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