Indian History
The Indian Catherine — Queen Didda of Kashmir
A political powerhouse
Didda was an important figure in Kashmiri culture. Her story dates back to the 16th century, when Raja Kota, the ruler of the area, adopted a young girl from Punjab as his daughter. She was named ‘Didda’ and became one of the region's most influential women.
Didda was known for her beauty, intelligence, and wit.
She quickly became a political powerhouse in the royal court of Kashmir. Outwardly kind and gentle, she was also politically savvy and a shrewd negotiator in her dealings with foreign rulers. Her sharpness was unmatched, and she was renowned for her patience and ability to remain calm even in the toughest situations. She often played a diplomatic role in the kingdom's administration and was known to settle disputes with her reasoned approach.
She was also a great promoter of education.
During her reign, many popular Kashmiri universities and academies were established, such as the Islamic University of Kashmir and the Royal Academy of Kashmir. She promoted the Kashmiri language, literature, and culture as well. As a result, the region flourished intellectually and economically during her reign.
Didda was a passionate patron of the arts. She was especially fond of painting, and her artwork decorated the walls of many royal courts. She was also known for her expensive jewelry and extensive wardrobe. In addition, she was said to have a well-stocked library with books on various topics.
As a symbol of love for her people, Didda donated much of her wealth to the poor and downtrodden. She is remembered for her generous donations to the destitute, which included land and a cottage. She believed that her kingdom should be a safe haven for its people, and she made sure to ensure that they were provided with proper healthcare, education, and security.
Didda was considered an embodiment of shakti, or female power and strength.
Her achievements left a mark on the region and she will forever be remembered as the Kashmiri queen who led her kingdom with honor and respect.
Queen’s Personal Life:
The personal life of the queen, especially her sex life is an interesting topic to explore as it holds historical relevance and also reflects the values and beliefs of the time.
Queen Didda was one of the most influential women of the Indian Subcontinent, ruling over Kashmiri Kingdoms from 900–1000 AD and becoming the Queen of all Kashmiri Empires. She had a controversial and powerful personality and was highly respected within society. As a Hindu ruler, she upheld Hindu religious principles in the court and her practices.
Apart from her political practices, Queen Didda’s sex life was a matter of much discussion among her contemporaries. Ancient sources state that she was a patron of tantric arts and was free with her sexual expressions. She also used to practice polygamy and is believed to have had several lovers. She acquired numerous wealth through marriages, resulting in her being known as the wealthiest queen in Indian history.
Though her polygamous relations were common, her intimate relationships were not known. It is said that she had two main partners in her sex life; Maharaja Abhinavgupta and Kantaraja. Some modern accounts refer to her having an incestuous relationship with her nephew, which is a matter of speculation.
However, it is known that Queen Didda’s multiple relationships resulted in the empowerment of women in society, leading to more respect for them and higher sexual autonomy.
What can also be said is that Queen Didda was a highly liberal woman and believed in freedom in many things, including sex. She was open to having sex outside of marriage and advocated for the right of non-celibacy in matters of intimate relationships. She had no qualms in preaching and speaking openly about her sexual exploits. Queen Didda’s philosophy was that a woman was not the property of a man and that sex was a mutual act that should take place between two consenting adults, regardless of their marital status.
In her reign, Queen Didda also opened up many avenues for women to explore their sexuality, empowering them to pursue their passions and desires. Women were free to practice their faith, get involved in politics, and express their feelings and desires without fear. She was known to spread her message and her practices, hoping to break the existing notions of sexual control and oppression.
Queen Didda’s sex life generated many conversations and debates over the years, with some historians and scholars believing that she was an inspiration for the modern women’s liberation
movements. Her strong and independent nature, along with her lack of barriers to intimate relationships, laid the foundation for today’s ideas of women’s rights and empowerment.
Queen Didda’s sex life holds great historical importance, as it laid down many fundamental rights for future generations of women to fight for equality and liberation. Through her practices and beliefs, she sought to free women from the chains of oppressive societal norms and traditional practices and opened doors for them to pursue their passions and desires.
