.
Queen Didda Rani
979 - 1003 AD
In ancient and medieval KashmirHindu Queen
INDIA
Queen Didda Rani Bronze Stater 17mm
Struck during her sole reign 979-1003 A.D.
Obverse:
Enthroned Ardoxsho facing; Nagari legend: "Shri-Didda"
Reverse:
Queen standing.
Description:
Enthroned Ardoxsho facing; Nagari legend: "Shri-Didda" / Queen standing. Scarce and nice. 20mm, 5.9g. Very attractive. These remarkable and attractive coins are the descendants of the gold and silver Kushan staters, and have a distinction of being the longest-minted issue in history - the Goddess/King design remained virtually unchanged in the 1300+ years history of this issue. In ancient and medieval Kashmir, a Hindu queen could rule as the regent of an infant king and, sometimes, in her own right. Didda Rani was one of the celebrated queens, more of a strong than a beneficent monarch. Young husband spoke of her "force of character" as well as her "ruthlessness". She carried the latter trait to the extent of tyranny. Her diplomacy and statecraft were coupled with cunning and cruelty. Her 'fits' of religiosity were followed by bouts of an undignified life that knew no restraint.
Reference Link: ttp://www.vcoins.com/ancient/ancientcoinscanada/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=500
Queen Didda
In ancient and medieval Kashmir, a Hindu queen could rule as the regent of an infant king and, sometimes, in her own right. Didda Rani was one of the celebrated queens, more of a strong than a beneficent monarch. Young husband spoke of her "force of character" as well as her "ruthlessness". She carried the latter trait to the extent of tyranny. Her diplomacy and statecraft were coupled with cunning and cruelty. Her 'fits' of
Religiosity were followed by bouts of an undignified life that knew no restraint.
Didda Rani repelled the attacks of invaders and suppressed the strike of Brahmins, revolts of her people, and rebellion of Damaras with a strong hand that knew no mercy to the vanquished. She put to death her own grandsons and, when she died in 1003 A.D., none of her own descendents lived to succeed her. She disregarded her loyal minister, who had saved her life and her kingdom. And yet she built temples and founded cities. The story of this Catherine of Kashmir, a strange mixture of striking contrasts, is indeed absorbing-and romantic.
The spendthrift king, Khsemagupta, who loved wine, women and hunting, was on his death-bed in Srikantha Convent in Vamhmulla (Baramulla). Afflicted with plague, he succumbed to it. Among his wives, the prominent were Didda and Chandralekha, but he loved Didda the more, and, therefore, he used to be called 'Diddakshema'.* As the funeral pyre of the departed king was burning, the co-wives, wearing the ochre-brown coloured robes, prepared to offer themselves to the fire.
Chandralekha, followed by other Ranis, led the small procession. According to custom, Phalguna, the prime minister, whose daughter she was, gave her the necessary permission. The charming Didda, limping on her lame foot, came last. She made a desperate show of grief. She reached near the funeral pyre, wherein, already, the preceding queens and some of the personal servants of the king, were burning. Phalguna permitted her too to follow her lord unto death. But she was repentent that she had gone thus far.
She did not want to die. Her hold on life was temptingly strong. She loved a queen's life more than she was aggrieved at the loss of Khsemagupta. She hesitated. She had hoped that for state reasons, Phalguna would not allow her to perform Sati. Her calculation proved to be wrong. A hundred emotions played on her beautiful fare. The minister for peace and war, Naravahana, gentle and soft-hearted, saw that she was loath to give up life. Excercising his powers, he held Didda back. She was saved from sure death.
Thanks to Naravahana, Didda Rani, the daughter of the renowned and redoubtable Sahis, became the guardian of the infant king, Abhimanyu, the son of Khsemagupta.
After the fickle nature of women, Didda gave her ear to everyone. The backbiter Rakkaka induced in her suspicions against Phalguna, the statesmanlike and powerful prime minister. She had a longstanding grudge against Phalguna for having married his daughter, Chandralekha, to the late king. And he had given her his consent to die after her husband. She readily believed Rakkaka that Phalguna was conspiring to usurp the throne. Phalguna, sending his son to the Ganga with the ashes of Khsemagupta, moved to live in Parnotsa with his treasure and troops.
Didda sent ushers to murder Phalguna as soon as he left Srinagar. When the soldiers heard this, they joined Phalguna in large numbers. The dowager Queen and her counsellers faltered and gave no battle. Faithful Phalguna, who unlike the selfish queen, still lamented the king, laid down his sword in a Vihara but Didda was " ever wakeful to root out the thorns".
Her husband's sister's sons, Mahiman and Pattala, were the aspiring princes, who were among the thorns in her side. She had the former exiled. The two princes were joined by the warrior Himmaka, the valiant Yashodhara, the brave Eramantaka, the prince Udayagupta and the residents of Lalitadityapura. Civil war ensued. The rebels advanced upon Srinagar.
The Queen threw away the gold box of the Tambulin, as she heard the news. Forgetting her manners, she spat the Tambula (betel) on the floor. She sent her son to Suramatha. In her panic, she sought the ministers and found that all, except the loyal Naravahana, had fled to safety. The minister for peace and war, well-versed in strategy of war, helped her to bring about a rift in the ranks of the enemy by bribing the soma-drinking Brahmins of Lalitadityapura. Yashodhara was won over and offered the highest post of Commander-in-Chief in the army. The great rebellion was reduced to a storm in a tea cup! The Queen was happy. "She, whom none believed had the strength to step over a cattle track- the lame lady-traversed in the manner of the son of the wind, the ocean of the confederate forces". Through witchcraft, she brought about the death of the ambitious Mahiman. The 'thorns' were despoiled of their sting. Finding Didda victorious, Rakkaka and others of his tribe fawned on her. Yashodhara, the commander-in-chief, led an expedition against a Sahi chief and defeated him. When the Chief accepted the terms of a dependent, Yasodhara had his Abhiseka (coronation ceremony) performed again. Rakkaka whispered to the credulous queen that Yashodhara was a traitor and that he had accepted money from the chief. When the victorious commander-in-chief was about to enter the lion gate of Srinagar, Didda sent ushers to banish him.
Yashodhara, thus humiliated, sought the aid of Himmaka and Eramantaka. Together, they stormed the city. Once again, Didda sent the infant king to a Matha, where, according to convention, none could touch him. The nervous queen knew not what to do - Naravahana, faithful as ever, arrayed the brave and loyal Ekangas in defence of the capital. By his astute diplomacy, the minister for peace and war brought about a split in the enemy forces. Rajkula Bhutta's men, beating the kettle drums, pierced the enemy ranks and joined the royalist forces. Treason divided the enemy divisions and they were soon overpowered in the neighbourhood of the Sura convent.
Mighty Himmaka, who would not submit to defeat, was slain in the battle. Yashodhara was imprisoned by the Queen. By her command, Eramantaka was drowned in the Vitasta with a large stone tied round his neck. She mercilessly exterminated the ministers who had been disloyal to her. "The terrible knitting of her eyebrows" struck terror in the hearts of the subjects and enemies alike. She appointed Rakkaka the commander-in-chief. The loyal Narvahana reinforced the army and strengthened the reign of the Queen-dowager over the kingdom of Kashmir. The grateful Queen conferred on him the deserved title of Rajanaka.
The private life of Queen Didda was anything but commendable. The principal functionaries of the household and others of her choice "filled the vacancy in the couch" of the immoral Queen-dowager. Through her procuress, she admitted to her bed-chamber, Sindhu, the son of a palanquin-bearer, who had caught her notice. She exalted him to the rank of the chief of the treasury. He levied new taxes to fill the coffers of the treasury as well as his own pockets; people nicknamed his office as 'Sindhuganja'. Officials, "the pestilence of the people", were busy in extortions from the people who groaned under the increasingly heavy taxes.
No longer was Didda-being the term of endearment and respect for the elder sister that she had been given by the ladies of the household, when she was the senior Rani-loved by the people. They were frightened at the mere mention of her name. She was Grahanhina- devoid of a limb; also meaning, devoid of Vedic lore. Bereft of the normal use of a foot, she had become cruel, hard; unfeeling - and passionate in matters of sex. Foolishly she exalted Sindhu, the latest lover-favourite, over the heads of ministers of the caste aristocracy.
Sindhu grew jealous of Naravahana. He incited the inconstant Queen against her loyal Rajanaka.
Naravahana invited her to dinner at his place. She went. While dining, she received a message from Sindhu that Naravahana would arrest her. On an excuse, she left, too early, against established custom. She no longer chose to understand Naravahana. Relations between them were strained to the breaking point. The loyal minister was stung to the quick. Seeing no other refuge, he voluntarily gave up his life.
With the suicide of Naravahana, grandeur and dignity deserted the government. The warrior tribe, Damaras, rose in rebellion. The Queen, at her wit's end, discerned no other alternative but to recall Phalguna to her side. The wise statesman was reputed as the conqueror of Rajapuri (Rajauri). His only weakness was show of power. He had aged considerably. He did not administer the government very ably. His secretary, Udayaraja, and the officials, started an unscrupulous plunder of Kashmir and her people.
Abhimanyu was the king in name only; his chief diversion was the study of the Vedas. He suffered from the insidious disease of consumption. The malady was worsened by disgust with the numerous love affairs and the intrigues of the dowager-Queen. "This half moon of the people" (Abhimanyu) died on the third of the bright Kartika (in the year 972 A.D.).
The king is dead, long live the king! Abhimanyu's infant son, Nandigupta, was crowned the king. The guardian-Queen Didda was broken with grief at the premature death of her son. "Sorrow concealed her cruelty and she, through composure, cooled down like the sun-crystal when darkness screened its radiating heat."
To commemorate her son, Didda founded the shrine of Abhimanyusvamin and the town of Abhimanyupura. In all, while the upsurge of piety lasted, she consecrated sixty-our foundations. She walled many a dilapidated temple. Even her servant-maid, Valga, founded the Valga convent. The 'sun-crystal' of her cruelty regained its dazzling white heat, after a year's penance. The Brahman-imposed rigours of self-mortification did not complement her nature. Much of her penitence had been a sham to impress the religious Phalguna. When he died, the cruel Queen had the infant-king, Nandigupta, put to death. The next infant grandson was enthroned. After a short while, he too met the same tragic fate at her dreaded hands.
Then she placed on the throne her last grandson, Bhimagupta. A terrible queen, a man-eater woman, ruling over them, the horrified subjects groaned in whispers. "Even in the case of those who are born in high families, alas! the natural bent of women, like that of rivers, is to follow the downward course."
The Queen of high birth openly spurned her caste and family when she, through a procuress, admitted to her boudoir, a Khasa grazier, namely Tunga. Bhuyya, the minister for peace and war, expressed his disapproval of the liaison. She had him poisoned within a day. She appointed Devakalsa - the son of Rakkaka - who was so far the Velavttta (royal astrologer) on the vacant post, and she made Tunga the prime minister.
Bhimagupto grew to be a boy. Abhimanyu's wife initiated him in all the wickednesses of Didda. He understood that his grandmother's way of life was anything but desirable. Didda's spies acquainted her with the boy's developing maturity and the dangerous course he was taking. Boldly, she had him imprisoned, in spite of apprehensions of popular reaction. By her command the helpless prince was tortured to death. The Queen-dowager now herself occupied the throne.
Tunga, her paramour and prime minister domineered over everyone in the realm. The rest of the ministers of high birth and talent faded before Tunga's five brother, who dominated the key posts of the government. The corrupt officialdom grew more powerful and tyrannous. The subjects of the Queen suffered untold miseries due to the vile administration.The disaffected people rose in revolt. As before Didda caused a division among the leaders of the revolution by freely giving gold to the base ones who valued Lakshmi (gold) more than the glory of the nation.
The revolt of the fierce Damaras was put down in a Machiavellian manner. When the demoralised rebels were rendered harmless, their ring leaders were annihilated mercilessly by Didda and Tunga.
The Brahmins held meetings. Their union decided that they would use their non-violent weapon of entering upon hunger-strike, a device often resorted to b the Brahmins of Kashmir in emergencies, against a cruel sovereign. The people backed up the Brahmins. In their fury, the people searched for Tunga, whom they were determined to kill.
The Queen gave him shelter in secret quarters. Even her brother's son, Vigraharaja, was among the leaders of the rebellion. The Queen, adept in the ways of corruption, bribed Sumantaka and other Brahmins. The strike fell through. Vigraharaja fled. Tunga appeared on the scene with all his native fury. He killed and exiled the Brahmins. Sumantaka and others who had accepted gold were perfidiously thrown into prisons.
Since the death of Phalguna, Rajapuri had become turbulent. Establishing peace in the Valley, the iron-heeled Tunga led an expedition thither. After initial reverses, Tunga defeated and humbled the pride of the Rajah, who agreed to pay tribute to the Queen. The Nagaradhikarin (officer in charge of Srinagar) received Tunga in state on his return. The Queen weighed him against silver, and herself against gold, in celebrating. the victory over her own (suppressed) people and the tributary Rajah.
Her greying hair and fading vitality made the Queen nervous. She must appoint the Yuvaraja - the crown prince - she thought, Her choice now lay among the sons of her brother, Udyaraja, because all her own lineal descendants were dead.
Summoning the boys in the court, she let fall before them a number of apples, saying, "Let me see how many each one of you can secure".
The apples were not many. The boys gave and received blows, and were injured, while they scrambled for the fruits. The prince Samraamaraja secured the largest number of apples. And yet there was not a single injury on his person.
The Queen was surprised. "You have got so many apples and yet you are uninjured ?"she said.
Samgramaraja replied, " O! Queen, I allowed my brothers to quarrel among themselves for the fruits and I kept apart. While they scrambled for the apples, I had most of them".
"One who clamly causes unhappiness to others, can thus better manage his own affairs", Queen Didda thought. To her, he appeared to be the best of the lot, and his tactics the very best.
"Wood albeit devoid of fire may suffice for the relief of monkeys from cold and water, and wind for the purification of the coats of antelopes which purify by fire: the realization of the purpose of a living being who is determined thus depends upon his disposition; in things there is, in reality, no innate principle."
Pleased with Samgramaraja, Didda Rani appointed him Yuvaraja.
In the year 4079 L.E. (1083 A.D) when the Queen "departed to heaven" the crown prince became king.
Queen Didda Rani
979 - 1003 AD
In ancient and medieval KashmirHindu Queen
 |
 |
INDIA
Queen Didda Rani Bronze Stater 17mm
Struck during her sole reign 979-1003 A.D.
Obverse:
Enthroned Ardoxsho facing; Nagari legend: "Shri-Didda"
Reverse:
Queen standing.
Description:
Enthroned Ardoxsho facing; Nagari legend: "Shri-Didda" / Queen standing. Scarce and nice. 20mm, 5.9g. Very attractive. These remarkable and attractive coins are the descendants of the gold and silver Kushan staters, and have a distinction of being the longest-minted issue in history - the Goddess/King design remained virtually unchanged in the 1300+ years history of this issue. In ancient and medieval Kashmir, a Hindu queen could rule as the regent of an infant king and, sometimes, in her own right. Didda Rani was one of the celebrated queens, more of a strong than a beneficent monarch. Young husband spoke of her "force of character" as well as her "ruthlessness". She carried the latter trait to the extent of tyranny. Her diplomacy and statecraft were coupled with cunning and cruelty. Her 'fits' of religiosity were followed by bouts of an undignified life that knew no restraint.
Reference Link: ttp://www.vcoins.com/ancient/ancientcoinscanada/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=500
Queen Didda
In ancient and medieval Kashmir, a Hindu queen could rule as the regent of an infant king and, sometimes, in her own right. Didda Rani was one of the celebrated queens, more of a strong than a beneficent monarch. Young husband spoke of her "force of character" as well as her "ruthlessness". She carried the latter trait to the extent of tyranny. Her diplomacy and statecraft were coupled with cunning and cruelty. Her 'fits' of
Religiosity were followed by bouts of an undignified life that knew no restraint.
Didda Rani repelled the attacks of invaders and suppressed the strike of Brahmins, revolts of her people, and rebellion of Damaras with a strong hand that knew no mercy to the vanquished. She put to death her own grandsons and, when she died in 1003 A.D., none of her own descendents lived to succeed her. She disregarded her loyal minister, who had saved her life and her kingdom. And yet she built temples and founded cities. The story of this Catherine of Kashmir, a strange mixture of striking contrasts, is indeed absorbing-and romantic.
The spendthrift king, Khsemagupta, who loved wine, women and hunting, was on his death-bed in Srikantha Convent in Vamhmulla (Baramulla). Afflicted with plague, he succumbed to it. Among his wives, the prominent were Didda and Chandralekha, but he loved Didda the more, and, therefore, he used to be called 'Diddakshema'.* As the funeral pyre of the departed king was burning, the co-wives, wearing the ochre-brown coloured robes, prepared to offer themselves to the fire.
Chandralekha, followed by other Ranis, led the small procession. According to custom, Phalguna, the prime minister, whose daughter she was, gave her the necessary permission. The charming Didda, limping on her lame foot, came last. She made a desperate show of grief. She reached near the funeral pyre, wherein, already, the preceding queens and some of the personal servants of the king, were burning. Phalguna permitted her too to follow her lord unto death. But she was repentent that she had gone thus far.
She did not want to die. Her hold on life was temptingly strong. She loved a queen's life more than she was aggrieved at the loss of Khsemagupta. She hesitated. She had hoped that for state reasons, Phalguna would not allow her to perform Sati. Her calculation proved to be wrong. A hundred emotions played on her beautiful fare. The minister for peace and war, Naravahana, gentle and soft-hearted, saw that she was loath to give up life. Excercising his powers, he held Didda back. She was saved from sure death.
Thanks to Naravahana, Didda Rani, the daughter of the renowned and redoubtable Sahis, became the guardian of the infant king, Abhimanyu, the son of Khsemagupta.
After the fickle nature of women, Didda gave her ear to everyone. The backbiter Rakkaka induced in her suspicions against Phalguna, the statesmanlike and powerful prime minister. She had a longstanding grudge against Phalguna for having married his daughter, Chandralekha, to the late king. And he had given her his consent to die after her husband. She readily believed Rakkaka that Phalguna was conspiring to usurp the throne. Phalguna, sending his son to the Ganga with the ashes of Khsemagupta, moved to live in Parnotsa with his treasure and troops.
Didda sent ushers to murder Phalguna as soon as he left Srinagar. When the soldiers heard this, they joined Phalguna in large numbers. The dowager Queen and her counsellers faltered and gave no battle. Faithful Phalguna, who unlike the selfish queen, still lamented the king, laid down his sword in a Vihara but Didda was " ever wakeful to root out the thorns".
Her husband's sister's sons, Mahiman and Pattala, were the aspiring princes, who were among the thorns in her side. She had the former exiled. The two princes were joined by the warrior Himmaka, the valiant Yashodhara, the brave Eramantaka, the prince Udayagupta and the residents of Lalitadityapura. Civil war ensued. The rebels advanced upon Srinagar.
The Queen threw away the gold box of the Tambulin, as she heard the news. Forgetting her manners, she spat the Tambula (betel) on the floor. She sent her son to Suramatha. In her panic, she sought the ministers and found that all, except the loyal Naravahana, had fled to safety. The minister for peace and war, well-versed in strategy of war, helped her to bring about a rift in the ranks of the enemy by bribing the soma-drinking Brahmins of Lalitadityapura. Yashodhara was won over and offered the highest post of Commander-in-Chief in the army. The great rebellion was reduced to a storm in a tea cup! The Queen was happy. "She, whom none believed had the strength to step over a cattle track- the lame lady-traversed in the manner of the son of the wind, the ocean of the confederate forces". Through witchcraft, she brought about the death of the ambitious Mahiman. The 'thorns' were despoiled of their sting. Finding Didda victorious, Rakkaka and others of his tribe fawned on her. Yashodhara, the commander-in-chief, led an expedition against a Sahi chief and defeated him. When the Chief accepted the terms of a dependent, Yasodhara had his Abhiseka (coronation ceremony) performed again. Rakkaka whispered to the credulous queen that Yashodhara was a traitor and that he had accepted money from the chief. When the victorious commander-in-chief was about to enter the lion gate of Srinagar, Didda sent ushers to banish him.
Yashodhara, thus humiliated, sought the aid of Himmaka and Eramantaka. Together, they stormed the city. Once again, Didda sent the infant king to a Matha, where, according to convention, none could touch him. The nervous queen knew not what to do - Naravahana, faithful as ever, arrayed the brave and loyal Ekangas in defence of the capital. By his astute diplomacy, the minister for peace and war brought about a split in the enemy forces. Rajkula Bhutta's men, beating the kettle drums, pierced the enemy ranks and joined the royalist forces. Treason divided the enemy divisions and they were soon overpowered in the neighbourhood of the Sura convent.
Mighty Himmaka, who would not submit to defeat, was slain in the battle. Yashodhara was imprisoned by the Queen. By her command, Eramantaka was drowned in the Vitasta with a large stone tied round his neck. She mercilessly exterminated the ministers who had been disloyal to her. "The terrible knitting of her eyebrows" struck terror in the hearts of the subjects and enemies alike. She appointed Rakkaka the commander-in-chief. The loyal Narvahana reinforced the army and strengthened the reign of the Queen-dowager over the kingdom of Kashmir. The grateful Queen conferred on him the deserved title of Rajanaka.
The private life of Queen Didda was anything but commendable. The principal functionaries of the household and others of her choice "filled the vacancy in the couch" of the immoral Queen-dowager. Through her procuress, she admitted to her bed-chamber, Sindhu, the son of a palanquin-bearer, who had caught her notice. She exalted him to the rank of the chief of the treasury. He levied new taxes to fill the coffers of the treasury as well as his own pockets; people nicknamed his office as 'Sindhuganja'. Officials, "the pestilence of the people", were busy in extortions from the people who groaned under the increasingly heavy taxes.
No longer was Didda-being the term of endearment and respect for the elder sister that she had been given by the ladies of the household, when she was the senior Rani-loved by the people. They were frightened at the mere mention of her name. She was Grahanhina- devoid of a limb; also meaning, devoid of Vedic lore. Bereft of the normal use of a foot, she had become cruel, hard; unfeeling - and passionate in matters of sex. Foolishly she exalted Sindhu, the latest lover-favourite, over the heads of ministers of the caste aristocracy.
Sindhu grew jealous of Naravahana. He incited the inconstant Queen against her loyal Rajanaka.
Naravahana invited her to dinner at his place. She went. While dining, she received a message from Sindhu that Naravahana would arrest her. On an excuse, she left, too early, against established custom. She no longer chose to understand Naravahana. Relations between them were strained to the breaking point. The loyal minister was stung to the quick. Seeing no other refuge, he voluntarily gave up his life.
With the suicide of Naravahana, grandeur and dignity deserted the government. The warrior tribe, Damaras, rose in rebellion. The Queen, at her wit's end, discerned no other alternative but to recall Phalguna to her side. The wise statesman was reputed as the conqueror of Rajapuri (Rajauri). His only weakness was show of power. He had aged considerably. He did not administer the government very ably. His secretary, Udayaraja, and the officials, started an unscrupulous plunder of Kashmir and her people.
Abhimanyu was the king in name only; his chief diversion was the study of the Vedas. He suffered from the insidious disease of consumption. The malady was worsened by disgust with the numerous love affairs and the intrigues of the dowager-Queen. "This half moon of the people" (Abhimanyu) died on the third of the bright Kartika (in the year 972 A.D.).
The king is dead, long live the king! Abhimanyu's infant son, Nandigupta, was crowned the king. The guardian-Queen Didda was broken with grief at the premature death of her son. "Sorrow concealed her cruelty and she, through composure, cooled down like the sun-crystal when darkness screened its radiating heat."
To commemorate her son, Didda founded the shrine of Abhimanyusvamin and the town of Abhimanyupura. In all, while the upsurge of piety lasted, she consecrated sixty-our foundations. She walled many a dilapidated temple. Even her servant-maid, Valga, founded the Valga convent. The 'sun-crystal' of her cruelty regained its dazzling white heat, after a year's penance. The Brahman-imposed rigours of self-mortification did not complement her nature. Much of her penitence had been a sham to impress the religious Phalguna. When he died, the cruel Queen had the infant-king, Nandigupta, put to death. The next infant grandson was enthroned. After a short while, he too met the same tragic fate at her dreaded hands.
Then she placed on the throne her last grandson, Bhimagupta. A terrible queen, a man-eater woman, ruling over them, the horrified subjects groaned in whispers. "Even in the case of those who are born in high families, alas! the natural bent of women, like that of rivers, is to follow the downward course."
The Queen of high birth openly spurned her caste and family when she, through a procuress, admitted to her boudoir, a Khasa grazier, namely Tunga. Bhuyya, the minister for peace and war, expressed his disapproval of the liaison. She had him poisoned within a day. She appointed Devakalsa - the son of Rakkaka - who was so far the Velavttta (royal astrologer) on the vacant post, and she made Tunga the prime minister.
Bhimagupto grew to be a boy. Abhimanyu's wife initiated him in all the wickednesses of Didda. He understood that his grandmother's way of life was anything but desirable. Didda's spies acquainted her with the boy's developing maturity and the dangerous course he was taking. Boldly, she had him imprisoned, in spite of apprehensions of popular reaction. By her command the helpless prince was tortured to death. The Queen-dowager now herself occupied the throne.
Tunga, her paramour and prime minister domineered over everyone in the realm. The rest of the ministers of high birth and talent faded before Tunga's five brother, who dominated the key posts of the government. The corrupt officialdom grew more powerful and tyrannous. The subjects of the Queen suffered untold miseries due to the vile administration.The disaffected people rose in revolt. As before Didda caused a division among the leaders of the revolution by freely giving gold to the base ones who valued Lakshmi (gold) more than the glory of the nation.
The revolt of the fierce Damaras was put down in a Machiavellian manner. When the demoralised rebels were rendered harmless, their ring leaders were annihilated mercilessly by Didda and Tunga.
The Brahmins held meetings. Their union decided that they would use their non-violent weapon of entering upon hunger-strike, a device often resorted to b the Brahmins of Kashmir in emergencies, against a cruel sovereign. The people backed up the Brahmins. In their fury, the people searched for Tunga, whom they were determined to kill.
The Queen gave him shelter in secret quarters. Even her brother's son, Vigraharaja, was among the leaders of the rebellion. The Queen, adept in the ways of corruption, bribed Sumantaka and other Brahmins. The strike fell through. Vigraharaja fled. Tunga appeared on the scene with all his native fury. He killed and exiled the Brahmins. Sumantaka and others who had accepted gold were perfidiously thrown into prisons.
Since the death of Phalguna, Rajapuri had become turbulent. Establishing peace in the Valley, the iron-heeled Tunga led an expedition thither. After initial reverses, Tunga defeated and humbled the pride of the Rajah, who agreed to pay tribute to the Queen. The Nagaradhikarin (officer in charge of Srinagar) received Tunga in state on his return. The Queen weighed him against silver, and herself against gold, in celebrating. the victory over her own (suppressed) people and the tributary Rajah.
Her greying hair and fading vitality made the Queen nervous. She must appoint the Yuvaraja - the crown prince - she thought, Her choice now lay among the sons of her brother, Udyaraja, because all her own lineal descendants were dead.
Summoning the boys in the court, she let fall before them a number of apples, saying, "Let me see how many each one of you can secure".
The apples were not many. The boys gave and received blows, and were injured, while they scrambled for the fruits. The prince Samraamaraja secured the largest number of apples. And yet there was not a single injury on his person.
The Queen was surprised. "You have got so many apples and yet you are uninjured ?"she said.
Samgramaraja replied, " O! Queen, I allowed my brothers to quarrel among themselves for the fruits and I kept apart. While they scrambled for the apples, I had most of them".
"One who clamly causes unhappiness to others, can thus better manage his own affairs", Queen Didda thought. To her, he appeared to be the best of the lot, and his tactics the very best.
"Wood albeit devoid of fire may suffice for the relief of monkeys from cold and water, and wind for the purification of the coats of antelopes which purify by fire: the realization of the purpose of a living being who is determined thus depends upon his disposition; in things there is, in reality, no innate principle."
Pleased with Samgramaraja, Didda Rani appointed him Yuvaraja.
In the year 4079 L.E. (1083 A.D) when the Queen "departed to heaven" the crown prince became king.
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