Banadi Shehak
16th-century female warrior from modern-day Pakistan
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Banadi Shehak (Balochi:بنادی شہک) was a noblewoman and female warrior of the 16th century from modern-day Balochistan. She was Mirzadi (Princess) of Rind tribe and sister of Mir Chakar Rind.[1][2][3]
Mirzadi Banadi Shehak میرزادی بنادی شہک | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reign | Nobility of Baloch, Rind tribe |
| Residence | Balochistan |
| Wars and battles | Battle of Chausa |
| Family | Rind tribe |
| Father | Mir Shehak |
| Occupation | Nobility and Warrior |
She participated in the battle of Chausa, which was a battle between Mughals and Afghans in which Rind tribe was supporting Mughals.[4] After a fierce battle, Mughals and Rind tribe started retreating from the battlefield; seeing this, Shehak broke her bangles by hitting her arms with her knees[1] and came into the battlefield herself with a sword in her hand. She killed many men, until she came in direct combat with Afghan general Sher Shah Suri.[2][3] He told her, "you, being a women, keep aside from my way",[3] to which Shehak replied, "You might think that women are the ones who sit at homes, are busy in adornment and in engaging their husbands, but it is not so!".[2]
Rind tribal forces, seeing their Mirzadi (Princess) fighting in the battlefield, stopped retreating and charged once again on the enemy[2] killing 30,000 enemy troops.[1] However, Mughals and Rind tribe ultimately lost the battle.[5] Banadi Shehak died on the same battlefield.