More than 450 years ago, Gond Rani Veerangana Durgawati, the monarch of the tribal state of Garha Mandla, governed and perished defending her dharma. She was a fighter with the foresight to exploit topography to defeat far more personnel and artillery strength, a caring mother, and a role model ruler who cared for her people until she passed away. The fact that she lived in bloody mediaeval India makes her narrative all the more extraordinary. The folklore and music of her people continue to honour the tenacious and powerful Rani Durgawati. Nandini Sengupta has now used these songs and legends to produce a well researched and easily read biography of a little-known female hero.