MOHIT MEHRA,
Dr. ARCHANA DEOLIA,
- Research Scholar, History, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Associate Professor, Department of History, Govt. Mankunwar Bai Arts and Commerce College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Abstract
This study challenges the old history books that treat women in Indian music simply as romantic inspirations rather than active creators. Looking back at the bustling royal court of 15th-century Gwalior, the research proves that Queen Mrignayani was far more than just a muse; she was an essential co-creator of modern North Indian classical music. The research paper explores how King Man Singh Tomar’s royal support perfectly combined with Mrignayani’s local Gurjar folk music background. Together, their partnership sparked a massive transformation, shifting the music away from strict, text-heavy Sanskrit traditions to a more flowing, emotional, and locally spoken style known today as Dhrupad. By studying the important historical book Man Kutuhal alongside musical scales like Raga Gujari Todi, the research demonstrates how the musicians in Gwalior carefully blended formal, spiritual classical music with everyday regional folk styles. For example, in Gujari Todi, they intentionally left out a specific musical note so that the music would sound more like heartfelt, six-note village melodies. Furthermore, the paper explores how Mrignayani’s palace, the Gujari Mahal, was used as an experimental music laboratory. By writing songs in the common Braj Bhasha language instead of elite Sanskrit, they made music understandable to everyday people. Tracing this history through famous later musicians like Tansen and Baiju Bawra, older Persian texts, and today’s Gwalior musical schools, the study ultimately concludes that this musical revolution was a true team effort, making Mrignayani’s creativity a permanent foundation of North Indian classical music.
Keywords: Rani Mrignayani, Dhrupad, Gwalior, Raja Man Singh Tomar, Marga, Prabandha, Man Kutuhal, Gurjar community, Gujari Todi, Braj Bhasha, Gujari Mahal, Subtractive Synthesis, Rag Darpana, Hindustani classical music, Khayal
[This article belongs to OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal ]
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OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal
| Volume | 16 | |
| Issue | 01 | |
| Received | 24/01/2026 | |
| Accepted | 22/04/2026 | |
| Published | 02/05/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 98 Days |