The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c6.70

c6.70

This tradition of giving military training to girls continued in the Maratha royal families, which were ruling over a considerable part of India during the 17th and 18th centuries. Rani Bhīmābāī, the daughter of Yeshwantrao Holkar, told Sir John Malcolm that it was an incumbent duty on a Maratha princess to lead her troops in person when there was no husband or son to do so. Tārābāī, the founder of Kolhapur state, used to lead her army and direct her government. The example of queen Lakshmībāī of Jhansi, who excited the admiration even of her opponents by her remarkable bravery and sound generalship, is well known. The late princess Kamalābāī Scindia, the sister of the present Maharaja of Gwalior, was an adept in all military excercises. Her father was but carrying out the old Maratha tradition when he laid down detailed directions in his will in this connection.