Veerangana Rampyari Gurjar: The Woman Who Defied Taimur’s Tyranny

Discover How Rampyari Gurjar Forced the Ruthless Taimur to Flee India

When we think of Taimur, the image of a cruel and ruthless devil comes to mind, a figure who created mountains from the heads of countless Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, dancing around his gruesome trophies in celebration of his bloody conquests. Taimur, also known as Timur Lang, was responsible for so many atrocities that it is said the world population decreased by 3 percent due to his massacres.

In 1398, Taimur launched an invasion of India, unleashing a wave of barbarism that still chills the soul. However, there was one brave woman in India who not only confronted Taimur Lang in battle but also forced him to abandon his campaign to conquer India. This fearless warrior was none other than Rampyari Gurjar.

A Fearless Beginning

Born into a Gurjar family in Saharanpur, descendants of Shri Ram’s younger brother Laxman, Rampyari Gurjar was known for her fearlessness and stubbornness from a young age. Preferring men’s attire, she aspired to become a wrestler, frequently questioning her mother about this ambition and diligently exercising to build her strength. By the time she reached adulthood, Rampyari had become proficient in warfare, and her intelligence and battle skills were renowned throughout the region.

Taimur’s Barbaric Campaign

Before the Islamic invasion, Samarkand was a Buddhist state, but it eventually fell under Muslim rule. Taimur Lang, the cruel invader from Samarkand, attacked India in 1398. He defeated Nasiruddin Tughlaq and celebrated his victory by slaughtering thousands in Delhi, creating a gruesome monument from their heads. British historian Vincent A. Smith, in his book “The Oxford History of India: From the Earliest Times to the End of 1911,” noted that Taimur’s primary objective was to destroy the Sanatan community and establish Islamic dominance in India.

Rampyari Gurjar’s Command

In response to Taimur’s invasion, a formidable force of 80,000 male warriors was assembled under the leadership of Jograj Singh Gurjar, with Harveer Singh Gulia as the commander. Additionally, a contingent of 40,000 women soldiers was formed, with the exceptionally skilled Rampyari Gurjar appointed as their commander. A strategic plan was implemented, including the deployment of 500 young horsemen to spy on Taimur’s army and gather intelligence on his plans and movements.

Rampyari Gurjar pledged to fight for her country’s protection, even at the cost of her life. She was tasked with training and inspecting the army of 40,000 rural women, supported by four colleagues: Hardai Jat, Devi Kaur Rajput, Chandron Brahmin, and Ramdai Tyagi. These brave women hailed from various castes, including Gurjar, Jat, Ahir, Rajput, Harijan, Valmiki, and Tyagi. Many of them had never wielded a weapon before but were inspired by Rampyari’s fierce determination.

The War Preparations

As the day of battle approached, intelligence revealed that Taimur was advancing towards Meerut with his massive army. The 120,000 men and women soldiers were ready, awaiting the command of Mahabali Jograj Singh Gurjar. Jograj Singh addressed his warriors, saying, “Our nation has bled from Taimur’s atrocities. Warriors, rise and fight without delay. Drive the enemies from our motherland.”

The warriors vowed to obey their leader’s orders and not rest until Taimur and his army were expelled from India. Rampyari Gurjar meticulously organized her forces into three divisions. Some women were tasked with arranging food and camps for the soldiers, while others supplied necessary weapons and rations to the warriors on the battlefield. Another group was instructed to attack the enemy’s supply lines, ensuring that Taimur’s forces would suffer from both hunger and dwindling morale.

The Battle Unfolds

This strategic warfare was chronicled in “Zafarnama” by Iranian historian Sharifuddin Ali Yazdi. As Taimur’s army moved towards Meerut, 20,000 Hindu warriors launched a surprise night attack, killing over 9,000 enemies. Enraged, Taimur pressed on towards Meerut, only to find the villages along his route deserted, as the inhabitants had fled with their valuables and provisions, as per the plan.

Rampyari Gurjar and Mahabali Jograj Singh Gurjar’s forces executed relentless attacks. During the day, Jograj Singh’s fighters engaged Taimur’s army, and at night, Rampyari Gurjar and her brave women launched precise, swift assaults on their camps. These nighttime attacks demoralized and exhausted Taimur’s troops, weakening their resolve.

Taimur’s Retreat

Eventually, a weary, injured, and demoralized Taimur retreated from Meerut towards Haridwar. However, Rampyari’s forces ambushed him again, forcing his army to flee the battlefield in disarray. In a pivotal encounter, Veer Harveer Singh Gulia directly attacked Taimur, piercing his chest with a spear. Although Harveer attained martyrdom, his blow left Taimur with a wound that would never heal, leading to his death in 1405 from infection.

Rampyari Gurjar’s Legacy

Rampyari Gurjar’s valiant efforts thwarted Taimur’s ambitions, saving countless lives and preserving the spirit of resistance against tyranny. Her leadership and bravery remain legendary, inspiring generations. Today, numerous monuments, schools, and institutions in the region honor Rampyari Gurjar and her courageous stand against one of history’s most ruthless invaders.

Rampyari Gurjar’s story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who fight for their homeland and their people, proving that courage and determination can triumph over even the most formidable adversaries.

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