Didda: The Forgotten Matriarch of Kashmir

History is often unkind to its women rulers. Female sovereignty called for a life of solitude, battling the prejudices of patriarchy while shouldering the responsibilities of a kingdom amidst the constant threat of dethronement. Similar was the life of Kashmir's forgotten queen.

Kaul’s book on Didda has many more secrets to unravel about the life of this matriarch; Image Source- The Statesman

The word was out in the air of Lohara's kingdom that their king, Simharaja, had a beautiful yet physically challenged daughter. Known by Didda, Simharaja's daughter was an enigma to everyone. Walking with the support of Valga, any scope of her marriage was hopeless.

That's when fate intervened. Their neighbouring kingdom of Kashmir was facing problems. The new king couldn't appease its nobles and subjects with a lifestyle of drinking, gambling and hunting. Kshemagupta was in dire need of an able queen to undo his follies. He thus conceded to accept a handicapped queen for his kingdom.

The nobility took Didda for a helpless and naive queen, only to regret it later. Didda was everything they never expected. Slowly yet steadily, she climbed the ladder of authority. Kshemagupta's fondness for his new queen labelled him the henpecked king. Issuing and minting coins with their joint names further strengthened the notion. And that's how Didda gathered enemies in galore.

Kshemaputa's death in 958 was perhaps the best chance for the rebels and the nobles to get rid of Didda. The determined queen refused to dissolve in the fire of Sati after reinstating her young son, Abhimanyu, on the throne. Declaring herself as the regent, Didda refused to submit any time soon.

The worst opposition came from the family itself. Kshemagupta's nephews, Mahiman and Patala, gathered allies, forging a rebellious army to defeat Didda. Retaliating with ferociousness, Didda killed most of them while negotiating with the powerful/ vital entities.

One such prime warrior forgiven by Didda was Yashodhara. After successfully subduing Thakkana, the ruler of the neighbouring kingdom, Didda clearly identified the threat of a former rebel that Yashodhara could reflect in the future. Her fears turned true when he revolted against her rule. It was one of the most strenuous rebellions that Didda managed to suppress with the support of her trusted ministers.

After the death of her son Abhimanyu, Didda withdrew from the world of imperial politics for some time. The throne went to Abhimanyu's minor son, Nandigupta, who fell sick within a year and died. His brother, Tribhuvangupta, met a similar fate and left the earth within a few years of his accession.

The frequent death of every king of Kashmir under Didda's regency circulated vicious rumours. From the accusation of witchcraft to the conspiracy theories of Didda poisoning her son and grandsons, every gossip pinned the blame on her.

After crowning her third grandson, Bhimagupta, everyone predicted some stability. But when has life ever given expected results? Didda was once again the talk of the town for harbouring an amorous relationship with a young imperial employee, Tunga. Over time, Tunga became a trusted confidant and an equally talented political figure, making him the Prime Minister of Kashmir and the commander of the army.

In the meantime, Bhimagupta, the last heir to the throne, grew up to claim his rightful place only to die under mysterious circumstances. Once again, rumours started floating. Didda's alleged involvement in the torture and death of her grandson painted her the villain.

With no rightful heir to the throne, Didda proclaimed herself the queen of Kashmir and enjoyed her hard-earned privilege of ruling Kashmir for the next 22 years until her death at 79.

Didda was a practical and thoughtful empress. Knowing that the absence of an heir meant instability in her kingdom, she chose one before her death. The tale of the search for the next monarch is fascinating and proves Didda's political acumen.

She called for all the possible male candidates from her maternal family. The task was simple. The candidate who could collect the maximum number of fruits from the pile in front of them would claim the throne. When everyone was busy fighting and pushing each other away, one of the boys silently watched the ruckus unfold. Without anyone noticing, the boy collected the fruits dropped by other candidates during the fight and ended up gathering the maximum without breaking a sweat. The intelligent boy turned out to be Samgramaraja, Didda's nephew.

Didda was a true believer and follower of Arthashastra's concept of saam, taam, dand and bhed. She definitely had the brains to manipulate, cajole, threaten, and, if needed, the power to kill anyone who posed a challenge, entitling her to be the 'Catherine of Kashmir.'