The history of Vidarbha contains records of women who held positions of authority in times when political power was rarely extended to them. These women did not just stand beside monarchs but administered territories, issued grants, and acted as regents during transitional periods. Their names surface in inscriptions, gazetteers, and colonial records, providing a factual account of their leadership.

The roles they played reveal how dynastic politics, family succession, and colonial interventions opened paths for their authority. In Vidarbha, three such women stand out for their documented governance: Prabhavatigupta, Rani Hirai of Chanda, and Bakabai Bhonsle of Nagpur. Each one ruled under different circumstances, and their tenures provide a unique glimpse into the region’s political and cultural history.

1. Prabhavatigupta: The Gupta Princess Who Governed the Vakataka Realm

Prabhavatigupta was the daughter of Chandragupta II, the Gupta emperor, and she was married to Rudrasena II, ruler of the Vakataka dynasty. After the early death of her husband around 390 CE, she assumed the role of regent for her minor son Divakarasena. Her authority lasted for about two decades, stretching from approximately 390 to 410 CE, making her one of the earliest documented female rulers in the region.

Her administration was based at Nandivardhana, identified with present-day Nagardhan in Nagpur district. Inscriptions provide direct evidence of her governance, particularly the Poona copper plate grant that was issued in her name. Archaeological excavations at Nagardhan further support her status, as a seal bearing her name has been unearthed there. These findings confirm that she exercised real authority, not symbolic influence.

Prabhavatigupta’s background as a Gupta princess also linked the Vakatakas with one of the most powerful dynasties of ancient India. This alliance gave her rule additional significance, as her policies reflected both Gupta traditions and local practices. Through grants and inscriptions, she maintained administrative continuity during her son’s minority. Her regency ensured that Vidarbha remained stable in a period that could have led to political fragmentation. The evidence demonstrates that her power was recognised formally and was not limited to ceremonial duties.

2. Rani Hirai of Chanda: The Gond Regent of Chandrapur

Several centuries later, another woman assumed power in Vidarbha under very different circumstances. Rani Hirai of Chanda, also known as Hirai of Chandrapur, became regent after the death of Bir Shah, a Gond ruler of the seventeenth century. She acted as guardian of the throne and oversaw governance until an heir could be installed. In 1691, she placed her adopted son Ram Sah on the throne, but only after administering the kingdom herself.

Gazetteers of Chandrapur district record her regency and her role in public works. She is remembered for temple constructions and civic activities that strengthened the kingdom during a transitional phase. As a Gond queen, her authority reflected the matriarchal space that sometimes existed in tribal and regional politics, where widowed or elder women could take command.

Hirai’s regency was not a minor episode but a recognised rule in local chronicles. Her administrative measures ensured stability in Chandrapur at a time when external threats and succession disputes could have weakened the kingdom. Her adoption of Ram Sah and his installation on the throne show how she exercised agency in shaping dynastic succession. The year 1691 stands as a marker of her influence, as she bridged the gap between two male rulers by asserting her role as regent. Her governance was rooted in both traditional authority and practical necessity.

3. Bakabai Bhonsle of Nagpur: Regency During British Supervision

The nineteenth century produced another instance of female authority in Vidarbha through Bakabai Bhonsle of Nagpur. She was the widow of Raghuji II and later became the guardian and regent during the minority of Raghuji III. After the fall of Appa Sahib in 1818, the British installed the young Raghuji III as ruler, and Bakabai was entrusted with his upbringing and palace administration.

Bakabai’s regency was unique because it occurred under British supervision. While she managed palace affairs and the care of the young ruler, the British Resident, Richard Jenkins, controlled the actual administration of the state. This arrangement continued until 1830, when Raghuji III formally assumed control of governance. Nevertheless, Bakabai’s role was crucial in maintaining continuity within the Nagpur court.

Colonial records describe her as the central authority within the royal household, responsible for ensuring the young ruler was prepared for kingship. Though she did not exercise direct political power, her regency represented an important transition in Nagpur’s history. Her influence is remembered as a period when the Bhonsle court adapted to the realities of British intervention while retaining its internal traditions. Bakabai’s tenure illustrates how female authority persisted even in the altered political landscape of nineteenth-century Vidarbha.

The lives of Prabhavatigupta, Rani Hirai of Chanda, and Bakabai Bhonsle highlight rare but significant moments when women ruled in Vidarbha. Each instance was shaped by dynastic necessity, succession crises, or colonial arrangements, but each also shows how female leadership was legitimised in official records. Inscriptions, copper plates, gazetteers, and colonial documents provide concrete evidence of their roles, placing them firmly in the historical record.

Their stories offer insight into how governance in Vidarbha was not always confined to male rulers. These women did not merely occupy ceremonial positions but made decisions that influenced dynasties and territories. The fact that their names are preserved in official documents demonstrates their recognised authority. Their rule stands as a reminder of the varied forms of power that shaped Vidarbha across centuries.