Every Woman Is a Queen: Lessons from India’s Warrior Queendom

Throughout India’s rich tapestry of history, women have not merely existed alongside kings and empires — they have ruled, strategized, nurtured, and glowed in ways that defy the common narrative. These queens did not wait for permission. They embodied sovereignty, navigated biological rhythms like menstruation and motherhood, and carried the weight of kingdoms with elegance.

Today, their stories are not just historical footnotes — they are soulful maps for how every woman can reclaim her inner throne.

In this article, drawn from research, folklore, and powerful examples of Indian queens, we explore how these women combined leadership and grace, integrated their bodies and cycles into their rule, and how you can draw from their legacy in your daily life.

Women and Leadership in India

Much of Indian history frames leadership as masculine. Yet, scholars emphasize that the story is more nuanced. Research shows that women were not always portrayed as submissive. In times of crisis, queens stepped forward — as warriors, rulers, and reformers.

For instance, The Better India highlights twelve Indian queens who “bravely challenged norms and made history,” from coastal Karnataka to the Deccan and beyond.

The takeaway is simple: empowerment isn’t modern — it’s ancient. These queens were not anomalies; they were embodiments of the potential inherent in every woman.

Beauty, Glow, and the Body in Rule

The queens we honor never separated their physical selves — their skin, their cycles, their bodies — from their leadership. They wove it all together.

Cycles and Sovereignty

These queens had periods, pregnancies, and pain — yet their purpose never stopped. They didn’t view their bodies as obstacles but as instruments of power. Their strength rose with their rhythm.

Your body doesn’t hold you back — it rises with you.

Rituals of Radiance

Historical accounts show that Indian queens practiced rituals that nurtured body and soul. These included:

• Oiling hair and scalp nightly with amla or coconut oil

• Bathing in milk and rose water to soothe skin during hormonal shifts

• Using saffron, sandalwood, and turmeric for glow and balance

These were not beauty routines — they were acts of reverence. Each ritual was devotion in motion.

Glow Through the Storm

When we imagine queens in armor or on battlefields, we forget their quiet nights — their oil massages, meditative baths, and calming breaths before dawn. Their glow came not from luxury, but from alignment.

Their beauty was not vanity — it was discipline.

Queens Who Led and Lived

Nur Jahan (Mughal Empire)

Known as both empress and strategist, Nur Jahan issued coins in her own name and led political decisions. She balanced empire and elegance — refining perfume, architecture, and diplomacy alike.
Lesson: Sovereignty and self-care coexist. Her rose oil wasn’t indulgence — it was influence.

Rani Abbakka Chowta (Ullal, 16th Century)

Abbakka ruled coastal Karnataka and defended her kingdom against Portuguese invaders for decades. She combined diplomacy with military vision.
Lesson: True defense is both soft and strategic. Courage can be commerce.

Rani Lakshmi Bai (Jhansi, 19th Century)

She led armies, rode into battle, and balanced motherhood with rule.
Lesson: Caring for self and for others are not opposites. Her crown was both strength and sacrifice.

Rituals for the Modern Queen

You don’t need a palace to live like a queen — only presence, patience, and ritual.

Cycle Awareness as Power

On slower days, rest more. Massage with warm sesame oil to ease cramps.
On energetic days, apply a herbal hair blend of amla and coconut.
On confident days, wear colors that mirror your fire — your queen’s armor.

Nightly Radiance Routine

Cleanse with rose water or sandalwood paste.
Apply a few drops of coconut or sesame oil to your scalp and pulse points.
Write one line before bed: “I honored my rhythm today.”

Battle and Peace Integration

Your battles may be deadlines, self-doubt, or fatigue.
Recognize the fight. Rest with intention. Rise radiant.

Every Woman Is a Queen

A queen doesn’t wait for her crown. Her body, mind, and grace are enough.
She doesn’t wait for calm — she creates it.
Her glow isn’t borrowed — it’s remembered.

When you apply your oil or say your affirmation, remember — you’re not just caring for skin. You’re honoring legacy.

Modern Reflection

Modern research continues to prove what these queens lived. When women have access to autonomy and ritual, their well-being flourishes.

Today, feminism is returning to its roots — reclaiming softness, intuition, and cyclical living. Your daily oiling, breathing, and slowing down are your royal acts of resistance.

A Divine Call to Action

Tonight, light a lamp. Apply your oil. Look into your reflection and whisper:
“I am sovereign.”

Choose one part of your body — your scalp, your womb, your skin — and thank it.
Journal your “queen moment” for the day.

Every act of care is a coronation.