Narsingh Rai was a powerful fourteenth-century ruler of the Gond in central India. He was a clever and ambitious king of Kherla, succeeding a Rajput ruler called Jaitpal. He was defeated by Firuz Shah Bahmani and later Kherla was restored to him. A daughter of Narsing Rai was also married to Firuz Shah Bahmani. He is the first ruler reported to have unified the Gond.

Reign

A Rajput dynasty was ruling in Kherla before the Gonds. The greatest of those Rajput rulers was named Jaitpal, who is credited with building the fortress of Kherla. Jaitpal was succeeded by Narsingh Rai, the first Gond ruler of Kherla. During his reign, the kingdom stretched in a westerly direction to the hills north of Berar, including the fortress of Gawilghur. His reign was marked by constant warfare with the Muslim rulers to his north and south.

War with Bahmanis

Firuz Shah Bahmani, the ruler of the

Bahmani Sultanate The Bahmani Sultanate, or Deccan, was a Persianate Sunni Muslim Indian Kingdom located in the Deccan region. It was the first independent Muslim kingdom of the Deccan,

, invaded his domain and laid siege to the fortress of Kherla. He captured Narsingh Rai's eldest son and the Gond ruler, with his power reduced, went to Firuz Shah Bahmani's camp at Ellichpur with his family. He showed remorse for his actions, and was recognized as the Bahmani Sultan's vassal. He was to pay a fixed tribute every year and one of his daughters was married into

Firuz Shah Feroz or Firuz is a Persian name meaning 'victorious', derived from the middle Persian name Peroz or Piruz. Related names are Phiroze, Feroze, and Parviz. It may refer to: People (historical) * Peroz I (), Sasanian king of Iran * Peroz II (), Sas ...

's harem as a political move.

War with Mandu

As a consequence of his alliance with the

Bahmani Sultanate The Bahmani Sultanate, or Deccan, was a Persianate Sunni Muslim Indian Kingdom located in the Deccan region. It was the first independent Muslim kingdom of the Deccan,

, Hoshang Shah, the ruler of Malwa Sultanate became hostile towards Narsingh Rai. Hoshang Shah repeatedly attempted to take Kherla as his invite of alliance had been refused by Narsingh Rai. For a brief period the tables were turned as the Gond king pursued Hoshang's army when they were retreating across the hilly country of Kherla from an unsuccessful campaign in the Deccan and slaughtered the soldiers. Next, when Ahmad Shah, the Bahmani ruler and Narsingh Rai's ally was campaigning in Gujarat, Hoshang jumped upon this opportunity and attacked Kherla once again. In the following battle, Narsingh Rai was slain and Kherla remained in the Malwa sultan's control for some time.

References

Year of birth missing Year of death missing 14th-century Indian monarchs {{India-royal-stub