The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c15.91

v4.c15.91

Āsaf Khān, the governor of Karā, who had recently reduced to obedience Rām Chand Bāghel, Rājā of Bhath,² was now ordered to subdue the Gond kingdom of Garha-Katanga, known to English historians as Garha-Mandla, which had existed for nearly ten centuries and extended from Ratanpur on the east to Rāisen in Mālwā on the west and from the southern border of the Bhath principality on the north to the frontier of the Deccan on the south. At this time the Rānī Durgāvatī, a princess of the Chandel dynasty of Mahobā, was regent of the kingdom for her son, Bīr Nārāyan, who, though he had attained manhood, left the management of affairs in her hands. She governed wisely and well, and had fought with unvarying success against both Bāz Bahādur and the Afghāns. Her army consisted of 20,000 horse and 1000 elephants, and besides being an intrepid warrior she was devoted to field sports.