Gondwana kingdom

Gondwana Kingdom was the ruling kingdom in Gondwana region of India. The Gondwana region includes core region of eastern part of the Vidarbha of Maharashtra, the parts of Madhya Pradesh immediately to the north of it, and parts of the west of Chhattisgarh.

The first historically recorded Gond kingdoms came up in central India’s hilly region in the 14th and 15th century AD. The first Gond king was Jadurai, who deposed the Kalchuri Rajputs, at whose court he had earlier worked, to grab the kingdom of Garha Mandla (modern Mandla and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh). The most illustrious rulers in this dynasty were the iconic queen, Rani Durgavati, whom the Gond community reveres, and Hirde Shah, the first Gond king to adopt Islam.

The second kingdom of Deogadh (Chhindwada in Madhya Pradesh and Nagpur in Maharashtra), was created by King Jatba in the 15th century. One of his successors, Bakht Buland Shah, converted to Islam to win the favour of emperor Aurangzeb. However, he did not demand conversion from his subjects and married a Gond woman. He fell into disfavour in Delhi after he plundered some Muslim kingdoms of Deccan.

Around the same time as Deogadh, the Kherla (Baitul in Madhya Pradesh to Chikhaldara in Amravati district in Maharashtra) kingdom also came up. Its first king, Narsingh Rai, who deposed a Rajput ruler, had love-hate relationship with the Rajput and Muslim rulers in his vicinity who attacked his fort due to its geographical accessibility. The kingdom was later annexed by Bakht Buland Shah.

The reign of the Gond kings is characterised by the rather remarkable phenomenon where the culture of the ruling class was strikingly different from that of the Gond community at large. In fact, the ruling class emerged not by adhering to its root culture but by adopting the culture and methods of its adversaries. This results in interesting paradoxes in history. One of the best instances is Rani Durgavati, revered by the Gond community as a symbol of the glory of Gond womanhood, was actually a Rajput princess married to the Gond king Dalpat Rai. Her claim to fame – her “valorous” decision to choose death instead of dishonor in the face of impending defeat at the hands of Akbar’s viceroy, Asaf Khan, shows values associated with Rajput womanhood– Gond tribal culture does not lay much stock by concepts of honour.

The father of the famous king Hirde Shah, Prem Narain, who had adopted Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, was killed in a fight with Jhujhar Singh of Orcha because the Gonds did not honour the cow. Hirde Shah himself embraced Islam, but his pedigree of Gond kings, written by a Brahmin, starts with obeisance to the Hindu god Ganesha. Both Prem Narain and Hirde Shah tried to keep their religious beliefs to themselves, while leaving their subjects to practice their own faith. So did Bakht Buland Shah of Nagpur.

Rani Durgavati

Rani Durgavati was born on October 5, 1524 CE in the family of Keerat Rai, the ruler of Kalinjar fort in Banda district of UP. Her family claimed descent from the Chandella rulers, who had built the temples at Khajuraho and repulsed the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni. But by the 16th century CE, Chandella power had declined and areas around Kalinjar was all that remained of the original Chandella kingdom. Growing up in Kalinjar, Durgavati was well versed in horse riding, sword fighting and archery from a very young age.

At the age of 18 in 1542 CE, Durgavati got married to Dalpat Shah, the eldest son of King Sangram Shah of the Gond Dynasty. The Gonds were a tribe which settled in the Gondwana (eastern Madhya Pradesh) region around the 13th century CE and rose to power eventually. They ruled four kingdoms – Garha-Mandla, Deogarh, Chanda, and Kherla in central India between the 16th and 18th centuries. (Dalpat Shah, Durgavati’s husband ruled Garha-Mandla.

In 1556 CE, Baz Bahadur, the Sultan of Malwa attacked the kingdom of Rani Durgavati as it lay to his immediate east. But Rani Durgavati successfully repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy losses to his army. This was followed by a temporary period of peace, but this was to change soon. In 1562 CE, Akbar defeated Baz Bahadur and brought the region of Malwa under Mughal dominion. Simultaneously, Asaf Khan, a Mughal general, conquered Rewa, which lay north of Rani’s kingdom. Thus, Garha-Mandla now touched the boundaries of both Rewa and Malwa, which were under the Mughals. An attack from either of them was imminent.

In 1564, lured by the prosperous state of Durgavati’s kingdom Garha-Mandla, Asaf Khan marched towards it with a huge army. To fight a defensive battle, the Queen is said to have moved to Narai Nala (Jabalpur district) situated between a hilly range on one side and two rivers – Gaur and Narmada, on the other. As the enemy entered the valley, Durgavati’s soldiers attacked them. During the battle, her faujdar or chief of the forces was killed and Durgavati decided to lead the forces herself. She chased the Mughal army out of the valley and emerged victorious.

The next day, the Mughal army returned, challenging her once again with heavy artillery. This time helped by her son, Durgavati is said to have mounted her elephant Sarman and led her troops. Her son, Vir successfully repulsed the Mughal army thrice but was seriously wounded and had to be taken to a secure place. Durgavati continued the battle and was apparently shot by 2 arrows one that pierced her ear and the other, her neck. Injured and clearly outnumbered Rani Durgavati knew she was facing imminent defeat. So instead of getting captured by the Mughal army, she decided to kill herself. Records state that Durgavati plunged a knife into herself and committed suicide on 24th June 1564 CE. She was 40 years old. After her death, her son Vir defended the kingdom from their capital Chauragarh fort, but he too died fighting.

Thus, the kingdom of Garha-Mandla was incorporated into the Mughal dominion, as part of the Subah of Malwa. After about 25 years, Chandra Shah, the younger son of Sangram Shah, claimed the throne of Garha-Mandla. The Mughal Emperor recognised him as ruler, in exchange for 10 districts, which remained with the Mughals. But the peace had been broken forever at Garha-Mandla. The 17th century CE saw numerous attacks on the kingdom from the Bundelas, followed by civil unrest. Finally in 1698 CE the kingdom of Garha-Mandla was invaded and annexed by the Marathas. They continued to control the area till 1818 CE when they were defeated by the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War.

Gondwana was a supercontinent that existed from the late Precambrian to the early Mesozoic eras. It was formed by the collision of several smaller continents, and it eventually broke up into the modern continents of Africa, South America, Antarctica, Australia, and India.

The Gondwana kingdom was a diverse and dynamic place, with a wide range of plant and animal life. It was also home to some of the earliest known dinosaurs.

The Gondwana kingdom was a major player in the Earth’s history, and its breakup had a profound impact on the evolution of life on our planet.

Table of Contents

Formation of Gondwana

Gondwana was formed by the collision of several smaller continents, including Laurentia, Baltica, Siberia, and Gondwana itself. This collision began in the late Precambrian and continued into the early Paleozoic era. The final assembly of Gondwana occurred in the late Silurian period, about 410 million years ago.

Geography of Gondwana

Gondwana was a vast supercontinent, covering about one-third of the Earth’s surface. It was located in the southern hemisphere, and it was surrounded by the Panthalassa ocean. The geography of Gondwana was complex, with a variety of different Landforms. The continent included mountain ranges, plateaus, and lowlands.

Climate of Gondwana

The climate of Gondwana varied depending on its location. The northern part of the continent was warm and humid, while the southern part was cooler and drier. The climate of Gondwana was also affected by its location near the South Pole. The continent was covered in ice during the winter months, and it was much warmer during the summer months.

Flora of Gondwana

The flora of Gondwana was diverse, with a wide range of plant life. The continent was home to many different types of trees, including conifers, cycads, and ferns. There were also many different types of mosses, liverworts, and algae.

Fauna of Gondwana

The fauna of Gondwana was also diverse, with a wide range of animal life. The continent was home to many different types of reptiles, including dinosaurs, crocodiles, and snakes. There were also many different types of amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.

Breakup of Gondwana

Gondwana began to break up in the late Mesozoic era. The breakup was caused by the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates. The continents of Africa, South America, Antarctica, Australia, and India began to drift apart. The breakup of Gondwana was a gradual process that took millions of years to complete.

Impact of Gondwana’s breakup

The breakup of Gondwana had a profound impact on the evolution of life on Earth. The continents that were once part of Gondwana were separated by vast Oceans. This isolation led to the development of new species of Plants and animals. The breakup of Gondwana also had an impact on the Earth’s climate. The continents that were once part of Gondwana were located in different parts of the world. This change in location led to changes in the Earth’s climate.

Legacy of Gondwana

The legacy of Gondwana is still visible today. The continents that were once part of Gondwana are still connected by the same tectonic plates. The breakup of Gondwana also led to the development of new species of plants and animals. The legacy of Gondwana is a reminder of the Earth’s dynamic history.

What is the difference between a kingdom and a domain?

A kingdom is a taxonomic rank that is used to classify organisms. A domain is a higher taxonomic rank that is used to classify organisms. The three domains are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

What are the six kingdoms of life?

The six kingdoms of life are Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Bacteria, and Archaea.

What are the characteristics of each kingdom?

The characteristics of each kingdom are as follows:

Animalia: Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that move around and eat other organisms.
Plantae: Plants are multicellular, photosynthetic organisms that are anchored to the ground.
Fungi: Fungi are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that absorb nutrients from other organisms.
Protista: Protists are single-celled or multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that are not animals, plants, or fungi.
Bacteria: Bacteria are single-celled, prokaryotic organisms that are found in a variety of environments.
Archaea: Archaea are single-celled, prokaryotic organisms that are found in extreme environments.

What are some examples of organisms in each kingdom?

Some examples of organisms in each kingdom are as follows:

Animalia: Humans, dogs, cats, fish, birds, insects, etc.
Plantae: Trees, flowers, Grasses, mosses, algae, etc.
Fungi: Mushrooms, yeasts, molds, etc.
Protista: Amoebas, paramecium, algae, etc.
Bacteria: E. coli, Salmonella, Streptococcus, etc.
Archaea: Methanobacterium, Halobacterium, etc.

What are the relationships between the kingdoms?

The relationships between the kingdoms are still being studied, but it is thought that the three domains evolved from a common ancestor. The six kingdoms are thought to have evolved from the domains over time.

What are some of the challenges of studying the kingdoms of life?

One of the challenges of studying the kingdoms of life is that there is a lot of diversity within each kingdom. This makes it difficult to classify organisms and to understand their relationships to each other. Another challenge is that many organisms are very small and difficult to study.

What are some of the benefits of studying the kingdoms of life?

One of the benefits of studying the kingdoms of life is that it can help us to understand the diversity of life on Earth. This can help us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of life. Another benefit is that it can help us to understand the relationships between organisms. This can help us to understand how Ecosystems work and how we can protect them.

Question 1

The Gondwana supercontinent was formed about 550 million years ago. It broke up about 180 million years ago. Which of the following continents was NOT part of Gondwana?

(A) Africa
(B) Antarctica
(C) Australia
(D) Asia
(E) South America

Answer
(D) Asia

Explanation
Gondwana was a supercontinent that existed from approximately 550 to 180 million years ago. It was formed by the joining of the previously separate continents of Africa, Antarctica, Australia, India, Madagascar, New Zealand, and South America. Asia was not part of Gondwana.

Question 2

The Gondwana supercontinent was located in the Southern Hemisphere. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Southern Hemisphere?

(A) It is colder than the Northern Hemisphere.
(B) It has more landmass than the Northern Hemisphere.
(C) It has more ocean than the Northern Hemisphere.
(D) It has more deserts than the Northern Hemisphere.
(E) It has more rainforests than the Northern Hemisphere.

Answer (B) It has more landmass than the Northern Hemisphere.

Explanation
The Southern Hemisphere has about 60% of the Earth’s landmass, while the Northern Hemisphere has about 40%. However, the Southern Hemisphere has about 80% of the Earth’s ocean, while the Northern Hemisphere has about 20%.

Question 3

The Gondwana supercontinent broke up about 180 million years ago. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the breakup of Gondwana?

(A) The formation of the Atlantic Ocean.
(B) The formation of the Indian Ocean.
(C) The formation of the Pacific Ocean.
(D) The formation of the Mediterranean Sea.
(E) The formation of the Red Sea.

Answer (D) The formation of the Mediterranean Sea.

Explanation
The Mediterranean Sea formed about 5 million years ago, after the collision of Africa and Eurasia. The other oceans formed as a result of the breakup of Gondwana.

Question 4

The breakup of Gondwana had a significant impact on the Earth’s climate. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the breakup of Gondwana on the Earth’s climate?

(A) The Earth’s climate became cooler.
(B) The Earth’s climate became drier.
(C) The Earth’s climate became more variable.
(D) The Earth’s climate became more stable.
(E) The Earth’s climate became more extreme.

Answer (D) The Earth’s climate became more stable.

Explanation
The breakup of Gondwana caused the Earth’s climate to become cooler, drier, and more variable. This is because the breakup of Gondwana caused the Earth’s landmasses to move to different parts of the globe, which changed the Earth’s patterns of ocean currents and atmospheric circulation.

Question 5

The breakup of Gondwana had a significant impact on the Earth’s Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the breakup of Gondwana on the Earth’s biodiversity?

(A) The Earth’s biodiversity increased.
(B) The Earth’s biodiversity decreased.
(C) The Earth’s biodiversity became more diverse.
(D) The Earth’s biodiversity became less diverse.
(E) The Earth’s biodiversity became more evenly distributed.

Answer (E) The Earth’s biodiversity became more evenly distributed.

Explanation
The breakup of Gondwana caused the Earth’s landmasses to move to different parts of the globe, which changed the Earth’s patterns of ocean currents and atmospheric circulation. This caused the Earth’s climate to change, which led to the extinction of some species and the evolution of new species. As a result, the Earth’s biodiversity became more diverse, but it did not become more evenly distributed.