QUEEN DIDDA AND KASHMIR MINT

                                                                                         

                                                             (Coins of Queen Didda )

QUEEN DIDDA AND KASHMIR. MINT...

Born around 924 CE, Didda was the daughter of the Lohara King Simharaja and the granddaughter of the renowned Shahi King Bhimadeva of Kabul/Gandhara. Didda was married to Kshemagupta of the Utpala dynasty of Kashmir. She acted as regent from 958–980 CE and as the sole monarch from 980–1003 CE, effectively dominating Kashmiri politics for roughly 44-50 years. She is compared to Catherine the Great for her shrewd political intelligence, consolidation of power, and, according to historical accounts, the elimination of rivals to maintain control. Queen Didda never yielded to the bridle of patriarchy and lived a full and fulfilling life as a liberated and independent woman, as well as a sovereign.

COINS OF QUEEN DIDDA 

The coinage of Didda represents an important stage in the numismatic history of medieval Kashmir. Didda, who ruled Kashmir from 981 to 1003 CE, is widely regarded as the first Kashmiri queen to issue coins in her own name. Her coinage reflects both political authority and the continuation of earlier monetary traditions of the Kashmir kingdom. Didda’s coins were primarily copper and were widely circulated within the region. They follow the established design pattern of earlier Kashmiri rulers but also introduce inscriptions associated with her own authority. The legends on these coins are written in the Sharada script, which was commonly used in the region during the early medieval period.

 Coins of Queen Didda from medieval Kashmir usually show symbolic religious imagery rather than realistic portraits: on one side there is often a seated goddess, usually identified with Lakshmi or Ardoksho, symbolising prosperity and royal authority, while the other side often depicts a standing ruler performing a ritual offering at an altar, representing the King’s duty to uphold religion and protect the kingdom; around these figures appear inscriptions such as “Sri Didda” or forms like “Di-Kshema” referring to her and her husband Kshemagupta, which is historically significant because it is rare in medieval India for coins to mention a queen alongside a king. The Sharda script is distinctly visible in these coins. Didda’s rule represents the peak of women’s power in Kashmir. These coins were typically small copper or bronze pieces about 16–19 mm wide and weighing roughly 5–6 grams, minted more than a thousand years ago. These coins likely belong to the period when she shared political authority or issued currency in continuation of the earlier royal line. The inscription symbolically connects Didda with the legitimacy of her husband’s reign. These coins clearly demonstrate her independent authority as ruler of Kashmir. The appearance of her name on the coinage marks an important moment in the political and monetary history of the region, as it reflects the formal recognition of a female sovereign.

Several examples of Didda’s copper coins have been discovered in different villages and settlements across Kashmir. These findings indicate that her currency was widely circulated during her reign. Today, a number of these coins are preserved in collections such as the Sri Pratap Singh Museum, where they serve as valuable evidence of Kashmir’s medieval monetary system. The coins of Queen Didda provide important historical insight into the political authority, economic life, and artistic traditions of Kashmir during the 10th century. They remain a significant source for the study of early medieval Kashmiri numismatics.

During Didda’s reign in Kashmir (c. 980–1003 CE), copper was widely used in the mint for practical and economic reasons. Copper was abundant, durable, inexpensive, and was extracted locally, making it ideal for small-denomination coins used in daily trade. Using precious metals like silver or gold for everyday currency would have been too costly and unsustainable for the kingdom. Copper’s softness made it easier to mint coins with clear inscriptions, royal symbols, and designs reflecting Didda’s authority. These coins helped create a tiered monetary system, with copper for small transactions and silver or gold for larger trade or ceremonial purposes. The minting of copper coins facilitated taxation and smooth economic exchanges across the kingdom. This system strengthened both the economy and the administrative reach of Didda’s rule.

Coins of Didda reveal her sovereign rule after Kshemagupta. Their designs show dynastic continuity and legitimacy. Hindu symbols reflect religious influence and royal patronage. Regular coinage indicates a stable economy and active trade. Coins also demonstrate strong administrative control. Numismatic evidence complements the Rajatarangini. Overall, Didda’s coins provide key insights into Kashmir’s political, economic, and cultural history.

OTHER IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT QUEEN DIDDA

(1) Despite being partially disabled and lame in one leg, Didda was far from weak. Chroniclers describe her as physically fragile but possessing extraordinary mental strength, earning her the title “Lioness of Kashmir.” Although she often needed support to walk, she successfully commanded a powerful kingdom, controlled a volatile nobility, and maintained authority in a politically turbulent region.

(2) To secure her rule, Didda initially served as regent for her young son and later for her grandsons. During this time, she ruthlessly eliminated rivals—including members of her own family—ensuring that no one could challenge her authority.

(3) Didda was famously devoted to a herdsman named Tunga, whom she elevated to the position of prime minister despite fierce opposition from the aristocracy. Tunga was the son of Bana from the village of Baddivasa in Parnotsa (modern-day Poonch). He initially arrived in Srinagar as a buffalo herdsman and later worked as a “Lekhrakha,” or letter carrier, before rising dramatically to become one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.

(4)

Although chroniclers sometimes portrayed her as a Machiavellian and power-hungry ruler, Didda was also deeply religious. She commissioned more than 64 temples during her reign, including the famous Diddara Matha, reflecting her devotion and patronage of religious architecture.

(5) In a remarkable move for a woman in medieval India, Didda minted coins bearing her own name and assumed the imperial title Maharajadhiraja (King of Kings)—a bold assertion of sovereign authority.

(5) Didda ruled Kashmir until 1003 CE. While some chroniclers claim she defeated Mahmud of Ghazni, historical records show that it was her successor, Samgramaraja, who repelled Ghazni’s invasion in 1015 CE. However, historians credit Didda’s strong, centralised administration and disciplined army—built during her nearly 50-year rule—for making this defence possible.

(6) A skilled strategist in matters of succession, Didda adopted her nephew Samgramaraja as her heir. This decision ensured a smooth transfer of power and established the influential Lohara dynasty, which ruled Kashmir until 1320 CE.

(7) During the 10th century CE, Queen Diddas ruled Kashmir and oversaw the region’s administrative, cultural, and religious activities. During her reign, the Sharada script was widely used, serving as the standard writing system for official records, inscriptions, and grants. Its use in administration ensured continuity in governance, while its presence in religious and cultural documents, such as Sanskrit texts and temple donations, reflected Diddas’ patronage of temples and scholarly activities. Additionally, the script was well-established among scribes and scholars, making it practical for record-keeping and literary purposes. Thus, the Sharada script remained the preferred medium for both administrative and cultural documentation during her rule.

Aurel Stein writes about Queen Didda:-

“The statesmanlike instinct and political ability which we must ascribe to Didda despite all the defects of her character are attested by the fact that she remained to the last in peaceful possession of the Kashmir throne, and was able to bequeath it to her family in undisputed possession.”

( Avtar Mota )

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