Dalpat Shah

Dalpat Shah was the son^[1] of the 48th and greatest Gond ruler, Sangram Shah. He was said to be a brave lad with an outstanding personality.^[2]

Durgavati was a skilled and beautiful princess of the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti which ruled at Mahoba, whose father was Keerat Rai or Shalivahan. Various tales describe why her father agreed to marry his daughter to a man of 'low' caste. A popular story says that Durgavati had heard how brave and handsome Dalpat Shah was and sent him a private message, asking him to come and win her hand by defeating her father. Dalpat Shah obliged and invaded Mahoba in 1544 with 50,000 troops. defeated Shalivahan and won Durgavati's hand in marriage.^[3][2] Other stories say that Sangram Shah wanted a high-born and beautiful princess like Durgavati as a bride for his son, matching his qualities as a part of his rise to high social status. Her father agreed, either because he gained a strong ally or because he was paid a large sum of money.^[3]

Then Dalpat took Durgavati to Singhorgarh, the Gondi capital, and married her in c. 1542. He succeeded his father Sangram Shah as the king of Garha-Mandla.^[4][1][3]