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Tribhuvana Mahadevi was a queen who ruled one of the mightiest empires in ancient India - also called Kalinga. Today, this kingdom spreads across the eastern state of Orissa in India. Her reign featured in books written in 10th century AD in Persia. She was called a Rayini (a queen) whose rule eclipsed the reigns of her contemporary neighbours (kings in India). Her name is hardly found in any history textbooks today, but her fame had spread far and wide across Asia and Europe amongst her contemporaries.

She came to power as a regent (as the heir to the throne was an infant). Her reign of over 20 years was marked by peace (she successfully fended off invasions); prosperity (she built great trade relations with kingdoms as far as Persia in the west and Indonesia in the east); religious tolerance (she donated liberally to the construction of monasteries of temples of many religious sects), and set an example for the subsequent 5 queens who came to throne from the Bhaumakara dynasty.



Co-hosts: Rusheel (5th grader, Mumbai) and Adya (8th grader, Chennai)



References

1. Book: The women who ruled India by Archana Garodia Gupta

2. Book: Amar Chitra Katha series on Warrior Queens of medieval India

3. Read: Wikipedia page on Tribhuvana Mahadevi

4. Video: On Youtube - Tribhuvana Mahadevi

5. Video: On Youtube - visit the Diamond triangle in Orissa today to see the remnants of the Buddhist monasteries

At its height, the Mughal empire was the richest in the world. Akbar's son Jahangir ascended the throne after his death. Jahangir was addicted to opium and alcohol, amongst other things. His wife Nur Jahan won his confidence. She was a remarkable woman who managed to keep her husband away from many of his vices. Thanks to her courage and intelligence, she won the loyalty of the nobles in the court and thus wielded much power in the kingdom.

She was the only Mughal empress who issued coins in her name, imperial decrees with her signature, presided the court and took part in administration and foreign policy affairs of the state. Her excellent taste in art has left its indelible mark on Mughal architecture. She inspired one of the seven wonders of the world, in its design and use of materials. The tomb she built for her father is also called the Baby Taj, which you can find in Agra.



Co-host in this episode: Isabelle Abraham (11-yr old, Mumbai).



Reference

1. BBC video - How Nur Jahan ruled the world

2. Blog on Mughal women in maritime trade

3. Book: The Women who ruled India by Archana Garodia Gupta

4. William Dalrymple's Book Anarchy

The Portugese called her 'Raina de Pimenta' or 'The Pepper Queen'. Born to a commoner, married to a king, she ascended the throne after the untimely death of her husband. She not only defended herself against patriarchy, but also against a barrage of enemy armies.

She is best known for being the only queen who defied Aurangzeb, took over the might of his army and successfully got him to sign a peace treaty.

Child Co-hosts: Kiaansh (6th grader, Mumbai) and Sathwik (7th grader, Kolkata)



Reference material:

(a) Blog on Keladi Chennamma

(b) Swarajya magazine

(c) Video on how she gave Rajaram shelter

(d) Amar Chitra Katha book on Keladi Chennamma

(e) Book on Chennamma by Shantadevi Malwad

(f) Book on Women who Ruled India by Archana Garodia Gupta

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