Fathers (and Fathers-in-law) Who Mentored Women
It is fascinating to study women in India who ascended the throne. In India’s monarchical societies before we became a democracy, the throne was the pinnacle of attainment, power and prestige. There was nothing higher on the mortal plane.
By and large men succeeded to the throne either because they belonged to the ruling dynasty or had defeated the previous occupant. Women who became ruling monarchs had life circumstances and qualities in common that prepared and propelled them to this highest rank. It is a different matter that not all of the women were able to retain the throne for a length of time, but just the fact that they were in the running for the post, and achieved it, is interesting.
Fathers as mentors were not important only for royalty. Several women writers in ancient India can thank their fathers for leading them on the path of learning which defined their later lives.
One common advantage that most of these women had was seemingly open-minded older men in their lives who did not hold women back based only on their gender. Instead these mentors encouraged them to break stereotypes with their abilities. The men who gave these young women opportunities to train, to study and then to rule were their fathers, fathers-in-law and, sometimes, uncles.
Here are some interesting mentors down the ages from all over India.
Ganapathideva
He is considered among the greats of the Kakatiya dynasty who ruled (reign 1199-1262 CE) territories that extended into areas in modern Telangana, coastal Andhra, parts of the states of Odisha and Karnataka. During his long reign of nearly 63 years, he ensured his kingdom prospered economically and that his enemies were kept at bay because of his strong army. As the father of two daughters, he prepared them for the future by educating them extensively in practical fighting, military planning and strategizing. Their education also included theoretical subjects and the classical literature, music etc.
Ganapathideva was a much-experienced ruler. Both his daughters married minor royalty who understood that the women they married would answer the call of duty when required. It must have a matter of great pride to him that his daughter Rudramadevi turned out to be a fine fighter and a sagacious ruler. She was installed as co-ruler for a few years before his death. Under Ganapathideva’s influence and training, Rudamadevi made wise decisions that strengthened her rule - she encouraged people based on their talent and work ethic, not just their lineage. She established among the earliest maternity hospitals in India. She undertook far-reaching water policies that were essential in the naturally dry areas of her kingdom.
Rudramadevi’s rule and good administration is remembered for the prosperity it brought to the people. She was constantly on the alert for disturbance within and outside the kingdom and even went to war to protect her land. She was overall an exemplary ruler thanks to extensive training with her father.
Kesava Setti
He was the father of Aatukuri Molla (1440 - 1530 CE), a potter by profession and well aware of the disadvantages his motherless daughter would face as she went through life. So he insisted on her education. Her learning stood her in good stead as she composed the Telugu Ramayana in exquisite poetry which is very well known even today.
Thirumala Raya
He did his duty very sincerely towards his niece Abbakka Chowta of Ullal in Karnataka (reign 1525 - 1570s). They belonged to the matrilineal Chowta dynasty. In this system, the eldest daughter was crowned ruler. Her guardian and mentor in her growing years was the maternal uncle.
Thirumala Raya ensured Abbakka received all the education and training required of a ruler before she was crowned queen. He also found a marriage alliance for her of a ruler near Mangalore.
She became a remarkably successful queen and kept the Portuguese at bay all through her reign of nearly four decades. She was only captured because her husband betrayed her to the Portuguese, and she lost important associates in battle. She died in a Portuguese prison.
Dvija Vamsidasa
Chandravati (born approx. 1550) was the daughter of this well-known scholar who was the author of Padmapurana. The atmosphere of learning at this home was such that Chandravati herself became a Sanskrit and Bangla scholar, going on to compose the famous female-centric version of the Ramayana and two other works, Malua Sundari and Dasyu Kenaram. Vamsidasa encouraged his daughter to assist him in his scholarly work Manasamangala.
Chandravati’s fame today has its genesis in the early learning and scholarship encouraged by her father.
Mankoji Shinde
He was the father of Ahilyabai Holkar (1725 -1795 CE), the renowned queen of Indore. He was the headman of a village near Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. She was married before she was ten years of age, but before that he ensured Ahilyabai got a good education and built her self-confidence.
Malhar Rao Holkar
He was ruler of Indore and the father-in-law of Ahilyabai Holkar. When his son Khanderao Holkar died in battle, Malhar Rao decided to train Ahilyabai in statecraft. She had demonstrated that she was a quick student and had the strength of mind required of a good ruler. As she trained with him he was assured his choice was the right one. Ahilyabai went on to become a queen who will be remembered for long because of her sagacity and good governance.
#BlogchatterA2Z https://www.theblogchatter.com/
A word about BlogchatterA2Z - This is an annual event during which I have taken up the challenge of blogging on Women in Indian History starting with A and ending in Z during the month of April, 2021. Here then is F - Fathers, fathers-in-law and uncles who played the role of mentor to very successful women. Drop in everyday to read my posts on other interesting women as I work my way down the alphabet to Z!