Naiki Devi

Naiki Devi (IAST: Nāikī Devī ) was the regent queen of Chaulukya dynasty during her son Mularaja II's infancy from 1175. She was a queen of the Chaulukya king Ajayapala. She is also popularly known for repulsing Ghurid invasion in Gujarat.

Her earlier life is not known, according to Prabandhachintamani of Merutunga, she was daughter of Paramardi. One theory identifies this Paramardi as the Kadamba king Permadi-deva, but according to historian Ashoke Kumar Majumdar, she was likely the daughter of the Chandela king Paramardi (reigned c. 1165-1203 CE).

She was married to Chaulukya ruler Ajayapala and had son named Mularaja, who later became king as an infant after his father's death. When her son succeeded his father as king in 1175, she became regent of the kingdom during the minority of her son.

In 1175, Muhammad of Ghor crossed the Indus, capturing Multan and Uch before penetrating in present-day Gujarat through the Thar Desert in 1178. Muhammad of Ghor was defeated by Mularaja II and his Rajput allies from Nadol, Jalore and Abu at the Battle of Kasahrada. The location of battle is identified as a village named Kayandra near foothills of Abu hills. Persian chroniclers Minhaj al-Siraj and Ferishta mentioned that Muhammad of Ghor was routed by Bhima II (Mularaja's brother and successor), although the epigraphic evidences confirmed that Mularaja II was ruling at the time of Ghurid invasion.

A later account of Merutunga states that Naiki devi took her son Mularaja in her lap and marched at the head of the Chaulukya army and defeated the Ghurid forces at Gāḍarāraghaṭṭa pass and secured for her son title of "vanquisher of the king of Ghazni". However, Ashoke Kumar Majumdar criticised the writing of Merutunga who used mythical stories to fascinate his readers.

The 2022 Gujarati historical film Nayika Devi: The Warrior Queen stars Khushi Shah as Naiki Devi.