Queen Didda

Queen Bidda, a ruler in Kashmir, faced a reputation as a ruthless queen who killed her son and grandson for power. Despite this, she knew the sacrifices she made to protect her kingdom. Bidda came from a powerful lineage, but was physically disabled and struggled to find a marriage proposal. She eventually married King Sen Gupta, who surprisingly showed her love and affection. However, Bidda faced challenges from jealous courtiers and had to navigate political turmoil to secure her son's place on the throne. She was paranoid and suspicious, persecuting those who became too powerful. Tragedy struck as her son and grandson died under mysterious circumstances, raising suspicions about her involvement. Queen Bidda looks outside the window as the army gathers and marches under the fort. She sees the Zambar range. She is aware of what the kingdom of people sees her as, a ruthless queen who killed her son and grandson for the love of the throne. She is a witch in the eyes of people. But only she knows what she has endured to keep the kingdom stable away from the threats, both internal and external. If the price she has to pay for it is her reputation, then Bidda knows it's the Jesus' sacrifice. Welcome to BADASS PODCAST and this is me, Anushka Jain, who will be talking about the slaughter queen of Kashmir, Maharani Bidda. Kashmir, which sits like a crown on the head of India, has a history of female rulers who reigned this gorgeous valley. In Indian mythology, it is believed that Yashovati became the reigning queen with the support of Lord Krishna. Just fifty years before Bidda ruled Kashmir, Queen Sugandha Devi, who minted coins under her name, Shri Sugandha Devi, became the ruler. But Bidda was very different from all of them. She was unprampled and ruled over her husband, sons and grandson. She is known as Catherine the Great of Russia, who killed and slaughtered her opposition and maintained power by a close network of ministers, whom she purged when their power became excessive and threatening. Queen Bidda's chapter in Indian history and politics is about how women bargained and kept power beyond emotion to become able rulers, even if it came at the stake of reputation. Queen Bidda's lineage was ancient and powerful. She belonged to Hindu-Shahi dynasty, who ruled Afghanistan and Gandhara, which is in present day Pakistan, from 3rd to 11th century. She was the daughter of Simharaj, king of Lohar dynasty, and the granddaughter of the great Bhima Deva Shahi, who ruled Kabul. Queen Bidda was extremely beautiful, her lush black hair, white rosy cheeks that put flowers to shame, her blue eyes that were deeper than the river Jhelum. She was a princess with beauty and intelligence. But fate is cruel and miser. It does not give everything everyone wants. Queen Bidda could not walk. She was lame and needed assistance. She was called Charan Hina, the footless queen. Unki loyal maidservant teen Valga, who would carry her everywhere. In fact, running campaigns, male Valga would carry Bidda on her shoulders and run. Much later in life, Queen Bidda remembered the love and sacrifice of Valga, who walked Queen Bidda's step and joined her life mission with hers. Queen Bidda commissioned a mutt, a temple, for her, which came to be known as Valga Mutt. The mighty granddaughter of Shahi would have been a prized jewel of the valley and every ruler would have wanted to marry her. But just because she was crippled and lame, no marriage proposals came to her. Her beauty and intelligence was not enough to secure a marital relationship. Even at the age of twenty-six, Queen Bidda was alone and helpless. She did not think she would have a long illustrious political career and a string of lovers that would make men jealous of her fate. It was one such regular day when Bidda was sitting in the open courtyard of the palace when Valga came running towards her. Her excitement was palpable and she seemed beside herself with whatever news Bidda knew she would soon divulge. Valga bolte hai, You have received a marriage proposal and be the bride of Kashmir. Your hand has been asked for none other than the mighty king, Seema Gupta of the Utpala dynasty. Princess Bidda scrunched her nose in disgust. She had heard about the reputation of Seema Gupta, who was known for being a womaniser and drinking till he lost his senses. The proposal seemed more of a bondage than a licence to freedom and of loneliness. Bidda was also curious to know what could be the possible reason that the dynasty of Kashmir has asked for the hand of a crippled girl. Was it just because she was the single grandchild of the mighty Shahi? The wedding preparations soon started and Princess Bidda, despite her doubts and feelings, enjoyed being prepared and seen as a normal girl, ready to start her marital life and become a bride. She had not dared to hope and imagine that she too would one day get a chance to experience the pleasure of being a woman. South on 1950 CE, when Queen Bidda came as the bride of Kashmir and never left for the next 50 years. Despite the initial doubts Bidda had about her husband, her husband surprisingly turned affectionate, observant and the love of her life. He soon showered her with all the attention and love a woman demands. He used to sit beside her for hours and talk about the state affairs and everyday things of life. Bidda, for the first time, found a companion beside Volga, who cherished her company and cared to hear about her thoughts and opinions. Queen Gupta, in her, found a steady partner who was sharp, believed in him and wanted him to be a better person. People started calling Bidda a witch who had put a spell with her beauty. A happy marriage where partners love and appreciate each other certainly had to come from unexplainable magic. He even minted coins with Bidda and his name inscribed on them. The rumours of bewitchment perhaps started from the palace itself, where the Prime Minister of the dynasty, Phalgun, was jealous of the growing importance of Bidda on Sen Gupta. The king now consulted Bidda for all the state affairs. Phalgun's daughter, Chandralekha, too was married to Sen Gupta, and both the father and the daughter were now feeling neglected and replaced ever since Bidda became the queen-consort. To see the well-being of his only granddaughter, Bhimshahi visited Queen Bidda and commissioned a temple known as Bhima Keshwa near Martand Sun Temple in Anantnang. Sen Gupta, despite loving his wife, could not rid himself from the habit of gambling, drinking and hunting. He had become a father but was still far from assuming fatherly responsibilities that justified a mature king. His love for fox-hunt was well known. In one of these hunts, the king contacted fever and soon he died in Baramulla. As soon as the news reached the court, the chaos started. The nephews, brothers, ministers started scheming and plotting to get the throne. The courtiers needed to remove Abhimanyu II, the firstborn of Queen Bidda and Sen Gupta. Courtiers started pressurising Chandralekha and Bidda to commit sati. When Chandralekha, held Chandralekha like a pious daughter and wife, committed sati, Mother Queen Bidda came from a great lineage of warriors. She manipulated the events in such a way that everyone thought that she is going to self-immolate herself. But she managed to escape the situation bilkul last minute pe with the help of trusted few courtiers. She made a great show and managed to convince the court that the legal son of Sen Gupta, Abhimanyu, should be the successor of the throne and since he was a minor, she would rule on his behalf. Seeing the sudden change of the events, the Prime Minister Falgun got afraid of his life and fled to Poonch, fearing his life under Queen Bidda's rule. Queen Bidda had several challenges to face. Unka sabse pehla challenge tha the strong nephews of Sen Gupta, Mahiman and Patala, who had gathered the support of influential Brahmins and wanted to kill Queen Bidda and her son at the Pamaswamin temple. Queen Bidda fortunately escaped the mutt and negotiated and bribed the other side. Her rise to power was through her trusted Vazir Navahana, who fought the battle against the nephews and won it for Queen Bidda. The Queen commanded to kill everyone except few influential people she knew she can use to gather power. One of the rebels she decided not to kill was in fact Yashodra, a warrior who was known for his military skill. She made him suppress and subdue the neighbouring rebels. When Yashodra returned victorious, with a huge army marching with him, Queen Bidda panicked. She worried that the public will support him, a gallant hero over her, or worse, he will perform a military coup. Queen Bidda plotted to get him killed, but the plan botched and Yashodra felt betrayed. He started a revolt against Queen Bidda for mistreatment and how unkindly she acted by rejecting his loyalty. Shahid Se Queen Bidda ki life mein sabse tough rebellion raha. Her insecurity had taken the better of her and now the entire kingdom was in flames. She managed to once again suppress the revolt, kill the rebellions and their families until there was nothing left. In crushing of the revolt, the role of Narvahana was very, very important. However Queen Bidda was always extremely insecure and suspicious queen. Whenever she felt any man around her was becoming too powerful, she persecuted them. Queen Bidda started ignoring and kept distance from Narvahana, who felt rejected and hurt at this treatment. She recalled the previous Prime Minister Falgun and asked him to take hold of the situation. Falgun managed to balance and create a diplomatic relation between the ministers. Meanwhile Bidda ki personal life was horrible. A tragedy stuck and her son Abhimanyu died of overconsumption of alcohol. Kaafi scholars ka yeh maana hai ki Abhimanyu saw his mother for who she was. He was unhappy with political decisions she had taken and wanted to reform the state and the military. He was kind, sharp, charming and a just ruler. And Queen Bidda was just not ready to give away the throne silently to her son after all these decades. Kya yeh possible hai ek maa ne apne bete ko maara? The suspicion became more strong when her son Nandgupta, a minor, too died under mysterious circumstances. Queen Bidda was devastated and continued as a regent. Her grandson Trivangadgupta too died under mysterious and unexplained circumstances. Was there Jadutona in the palace or Queen Bidda wanted to rule as a regent as long as she lived? Why else did all the sons and grandsons die as soon as they came of age and was ready to take the throne? After the death of Prime Minister Falgun, Queen Bidda made a common shepherd man, Tunga, the Prime Minister. She had spotted his talent and he quickly promoted and she quickly promoted him to the highest ranks. Many believe the young Tunga was lover to the 50-year-old Bidda. This would not come as a surprise since Queen Bidda very openly had several lovers in her lifetime. Her last grandson Dhingupta too died under mysterious circumstances. Many people believe he was imprisoned and tortured by Queen Bidda as did all the sons and grandsons who died just before coming of age. Queen Bidda finally and once and for all came to the throne but now not as a regent but under her own name. She issued coins under her name Shri Bidda. These coins are still available and are in circulation. In her last years, Queen Bidda wanted to leave the throne to someone able. She called all the nephews and gave them a task and only one of them stood out as he quietly watched others fight. This young man was Samagramaya, the son of her brother and so her maternal dynasty Lohar established power in Kashmir. Queen Bidda died at the age of 79 after 22 years of absolute power. She killed all opposition, put down major revolts and killed ministers whom she could not control. Perhaps Queen Bidda could have avoided being a brutal ruler had she got power easily. But as a woman, all the odds and protocols were against her and she did what she had to do to become a ruler and fulfil her dream of being a ruler even if it comes at the cost