Rani Durgawati was born in the family of famous Rajput Chandel Emperor Keerat Rai of Mohoba in 1524. Her father was Salbahan, the Chandel Rajput Raja. In 1542, she was married to Dalpat Shah, the eldest son of king Sangram Shah of Garha Katanga. The Chandel and Gond dynasties were allied because of this marriage.
When her son was five years old, her husband died. Rani took the reigns of the Gond Kingdom in her hand. In 1565, the Mughals under Asaf Khan attacked her kingdom. She fought bravely and died in the battlefield. Her son, too died fighting with the Mughals.