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Who Is The Greatest Female Warrior In History?

While women have traditionally been stereotyped as the "gentler" sex, history is witness to the fact that many women across cultures and centuries have played major roles in battles and wars. Even though the overwhelming majority of warriors have historically been male, we have to give due credit to the female warriors who fought in battles alongside their male counterparts even in the most difficult situations. Along with the tough war situations, these brave ladies also to challenge the strict gender roles prevalent in society. Among the many female warriors known for their bravery, who is the greatest female warrior in history? Read on to discover!

1. Lozen

Lozen
    
Birthday: 1840
Born In: United States
Died On: 17 June 1889
Famous As: Warrior
A warrior and prophet of the Chihenne Chiricahua Apache, Lozen was the sister of Victorio, a prominent chief. She was a skilled warrior who was able to use her powers to learn the movements of the enemies. At the end of the Apache Wars, she was taken a prisoner and died soon after.

2. Boudica

Boudica
    
Also Known As: Boudicca, Boadicea, Buddug
Birthday: 30
Born In: Britannia
Died On: 61
Famous As: Queen of the Iceni Tribe of Celtic Britons
A queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe, Boudica led an uprising against the conquering forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61. After the death of her husband, she had to take charge to defend her territories from enemy rulers.  She is considered a British folk hero for her brave albeit unsuccessful attempt.

3. Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc
    
Also Known As: Jeanne d'Arc, The Maid of Orléans, Saint Joan of Arc
Birthday: 06 January 1412
Born In: Domrémy-la-Pucelle, France
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died On: 30 May 1431
Famous As: Best Remembered as 'The Heroine of France' for Her Role During the 'Hundred Years' War' Against England
Born in a peasant family in France, Joan of Arc grew up to be a bold woman who played a major role during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years' War. She went to the Siege of Orléans as part of a relief army. Owing to her bravery, she is considered a heroine of France.

4. Nakano Takeko

Nakano Takeko
    
Birthday: 12 July 1847
Born In: Edo, Japan
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died On: 10 October 1868
Famous As: Warrior
A Japanese female warrior of the Aizu Domain, Nakano Takeko fought during the Boshin War. She served as the leader of an ad hoc corps of female combatants during the Battle of Aizu. She fought brandishing a naginata, a Japanese weapon. She died in battle and became a folk heroine.

5. Lyudmila Pavlichenko

Lyudmila Pavlichenko
    
Also Known As: Lyudmila Mikhailovna Pavlichenko, Lyudmila Mikhailovna Belova
Birthday: 12 July 1916
Born In: Bila Tserkva, Ukraine
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died On: 27 October 1974
Famous As: One of the Most Successful Female Snipers in Recorded History
Nicknamed “Lady Death,” Lyudmila Pavlichenko was a Soviet sniper in the Red Army during World War II. She is credited with 309 confirmed kills and is considered the most successful female sniper in recorded history. During the later part of her career, she trained other Red Army snipers.

6. Grace O'Malley

Grace O'Malley
    
Also Known As: Gráinne Mhaol, Granuaile, Gráinne Ní Mháille
Birthday: 1533
Born In: Umhaill, Ireland
Died On: 18 June 1603
Famous As: Pirate
A well-known historical figure in 16th-century Irish history, Gráinne Ní Mháille was the daughter of Eoghan Dubhdara Ó Máille. Following the death of her father, she took over the active leadership of the lordship. She was twice married and had at least four children. Her first husband was murdered and she sought revenge by killing his murderers.

7. Rani Lakshmibai

Rani Lakshmibai
    
Also Known As: Manikarnika Tambe
Birthday: 19 November 1828
Born In: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died On: 18 June 1858
Famous As: Queen of the Princely State of Jhansi & One of the Leading Figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857
An Indian queen of the Maratha princely state of Jhansi in North India, Rani Lakshmibai was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Following the death of her husband, who had been the Maharaja of Jhansi, she assumed control of the army and became an active participant in the Indian Rebellion against the British.

8. Zenobia

Zenobia
    
Also Known As: Septimia Zenobia
Birthday: 240
Born In: Palmyra, Syria
Died On: 274
Famous As: Queen of Palmyra Who Revolted against Rome but Was Eventually Defeated
A third-century queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Syria, Zenobia became the regent of her son Vaballathus following the death of her husband, Odaenathus. As she held the de facto power, she launched an invasion that brought most of the Roman East under her rule. She was a cultured monarch and maintained a stable administration.

9. Khutulun

Khutulun
    
Also Known As: Aigiarne, Aiyurug, Khotol Tsagaan, Ay Yaruqhutulun, Aigiarne, Aiyurug, Khotol Tsagaan, Ay Yaruq
Birthday: 1260
Born In: Chagatai Khanate
Died On: 1306
Famous As: Mongol Noblewoman, Wrestler and Daughter of Kaidu
Mongol noblewoman and wrestler, Khutulun was the most famous daughter of Kaidu, a cousin of Kublai Khan. She often accompanied her father on military campaigns. She was her father’s favorite child and he often sought advice and political support from her. She died in 1306.

10. Artemisia I of Caria

Artemisia I of Caria
    
Birthday: 520
Born In: Halicarnassus, Greece
Famous As: Queen of the Ancient Greek City-State of 'Halicarnassus'
A queen of the ancient Greek city-state of Halicarnassus, Artemisia I of Caria fought as an ally of Xerxes I, King of Persia during the second Persian invasion of Greece. As a leader, she commanded her own fleet of five ships at the naval battle of Artemisium and in the naval Battle of Salamis.