NAIKI DEVI (12TH CENTURY)
Naiki Devi was a regent queen. She was the mother of the young prince Bala Mularaja of Gujarat, who ruled for only two years, from 1176-78. She was the daughter of Paramardin, who has been identified as Shivachitta of the Kadamba dynasty. During the reign of the young prince, a Muslim force, probably that of Muhammad Ghori, invaded the kingdom. Naikidevi fought the invaders, carrying her young son with her. She held them off at the pass of Gadaranghatta, probably at the base of Mount Abu. Contemporary chronicles mention this battle against a boy king, but tell us nothing about the mother.
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