Queens of Kashmir

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Women are typically usually portrayed as subtle, gentle, and submissive, but those who believe that women cannot be recognized for their valor are unkind and naive. However, they are typically treated as a homogeneous group on the periphery of history, unimportant to the main historical narrative. However, when the sources are examined, a completely different picture emerges. In Kashmir, women have had more equal status with men than in other parts of the world. Many times, women have stood alongside men as powerful rulers, regents of princes, vivacious militia commanders, diplomats. There are ample shreds of evidence in Rajtarangini as regards the laudable women of Kashmir. In his work Rajtarangini, Kalhana, a famous poet from the 12th century, mentions three queens who ruled Kashmir: Yasovati of the Gonanda dynasty, Sugandha (904-906 A.D.) of the Utpala dynasty, and Didda (1003-1320 A.D.) of the Lohara dynasty. However, Kota Rani (1338-1339 A.D.) of the IInd Lohara dynasty was the fourth and final woman to rule. Jona Raja, a Kashmiri historian, has given Kota Rani significant recognition in his ‘Dvitiya Rajtarangini, ’ which is a continuation of Kalhana’s Rajtaringini. This work is a small attempt to acknowledge women’s valor, strength, and magnanimity, which have been clearly visible but are still invisible.