Didda realized that a section of the ministers and the army was completely under Phalgun’s control, and that to bring them under her own command, she would have to lure them with money.
Maharani Didda: Witch Queen of Kashmir
By Debasree Chakraborti
It was a terrifyingly dark night. Through the open windows, stormy winds rushed in. At this hour, only dim lamps were usually lit in Didda’s palace, but the violent gusts kept extinguishing even those remaining lights. The tiny golden bells hanging from Prince Abhimanyu’s wooden cradle were tinkling in the wind.
At this time, the Queen Mother would retire to her own chambers. Now, in this palace hall, there was no one except Didda, her infant son, the two motherless princesses, and Bhalaga. At night, Didda forbade the maidservants from staying in her chambers, because she preferred to spend this time alone with Bhalaga and her infant son Abhimanyu. Didda believed that during these hours she herself would attend to all her son’s needs—this was a source of deep fulfillment for her as a mother. Besides, there were also concerns of security.
Narbahan had warned her that Phalgun was plotting to kill Abhimanyu. By bribing a section of the palace staff, he had brought them under his control and intended to use them for this murder. Therefore, Didda no longer trusted anyone. No matter what, she had to protect the Prince of Kashmir. She stayed awake all night guarding her son.
In one room of this palace, the two princesses were asleep. Didda lay on a bed at one side of her own chamber with her son, while on the other side of the same room another bed had been arranged for Bhalaga, where he lay silently, passing one sleepless night after another. For just as Didda stayed awake to protect Abhimanyu from mortal danger, in the same way Bhalaga remained awake to protect Didda herself. Here, the hearts of two guardians—almost like two mothers—seemed to merge into one.
That night, the wind was blowing fiercely, and Bhalaga felt as if some great catastrophe was imminent. The tinkling of the golden bells sounded today almost like the beat of war drums. Just then, an unusual sound was heard. Didda became alert on the bed. She sat up straight, and her long shadow fell upon the wall. Bhalaga slipped down from the bed and, crawling swiftly on all fours across the floor, hid himself somewhere. Abhimanyu lay in deep sleep. Very carefully, Didda lifted him into her arms and laid him beneath the bed.
Every night, after the maidservants had left, Didda would prepare a small bed under the couch, and then spread a large silk sheet over the couch above, so that no one could see what lay beneath it. After placing Abhimanyu under the couch, Didda laid on the couch a dummy made of leather and cloth, shaped exactly like Abhimanyu, and covered it with the sheet. Sensing danger, Narbahan had had this effigy made by a leather craftsman, for he knew that such a dreadful night would soon descend upon Kashmir. The dummy looked exactly like a human infant; in the darkness of night, anyone who saw it would mistake it for a real child.
Didda, too, concealed herself in a corner of the room. No lamp was lit in this chamber; only the faint light coming from another part of the palace created a dim, shadowy atmosphere within the room.
Didda and Bhalaga heard people approaching the bedchamber; the sound of their footsteps was extremely fast. Didda silently invoked Mother Bhavani, and then, through her inner strength, began to observe the surroundings and the situation with absolute precision. Through the discipline of the Niruddha Tantra, she fully grasped the movements of the enemy and prepared for the next step. Didda and Bhalaga had been preparing for such a situation for a long time. They had already determined what their strategy would be in circumstances like this.
That night, the force of the wind in Didda’s quarters was intense. When the secret assassins entered her bedchamber, a sudden gust of stormy wind blew something into their eyes, causing a burning pain. The shadowy figures of three assassins were cast upon the wall. As they advanced toward the couch, struggling with the unbearable stinging in their eyes, at that very moment Didda and Bhalaga charged at them like a storm from both sides, swords in hand, and leapt upon them. Before they could understand what was happening, their heads were severed from their bodies and fell onto the floor.
Meanwhile, Abhimanyu had woken up. Didda lifted the crying Abhimanyu from beneath the couch and She lifted him into her arms. By then, the two princesses had also been awakened and came running to Didda. Like a storm, the news spread throughout the entire palace. The Queen Mother, accompanied by Narbahan, rushed to Didda’s palace and saw Didda sitting there, clutching her infant son to her chest, while the two princesses leaned against Didda’s body, standing and crying. Didda looked like Mother Bhavani herself—the slayer of demons.
On the other side of the room, Bhalaga sat gasping for breath. Even at such an advanced age, he had fought, thinking only of Didda’s and Abhimanyu’s safety. But age had taken its toll; the strength his body once possessed was no longer there. Dead bodies lay on the floor. Somehow, the Queen Mother managed to reach Didda, took Abhimanyu into her arms, and, kissing his forehead, said, “A great danger has passed today. Mother Bhavani herself has protected you. I will no longer allow you to stay in this palace. From today onward, we will all live together in my chambers. I will shelter you within my own bosom.”
Didda replied, “No, Mother. We will stay in this palace. As long as I am alive, nothing will happen to your heir.”
Annoyed, the Queen Mother said, “You do not understand. Those who tried to kill the prince are extremely powerful. They will destroy you as well.”
Rising to her feet, Didda said, “I am even more terrifying than they are. What they did today—time will teach them how dreadful its consequences will be. Narbahan, arrange for these bodies to be removed as quickly as possible and for my chamber to be cleaned. This horrifying sight is affecting the tender minds of the two girls.” Saying this, she pulled the two princesses close to her chest.
That night, although Didda did not go to the Queen Mother’s chambers, the Queen Mother took refuge in Didda’s palace. She did not want to let her grandson out of her arms in any way, for a strange conviction had taken hold of her—that as long as she remained close, no one would be able to harm Abhimanyu.
Meanwhile, with the conspiracy having failed, Phalgun was utterly shattered. His condition became like that of a wounded serpent. Phalgun tried to stir up hostility against Didda among the royal officials and the common people. In this effort, he had managed to a great succeeded. He managed to convince some people that Didda was a curse upon Kashmir, and that the untimely death of the Maharaja had occurred because he had married her. Moreover, when power falls into the hands of a woman, the system of governance of a kingdom is said to suffer dreadful consequences. During the Maharaja’s lifetime, many of those who had shown respect to Didda began to think inwardly: how could Didda, being a woman, rule Kashmir? A woman’s place was in the inner quarters; she did not belong in the royal court. Many people began to oppose Didda, for they were in no way willing to entrust the reins of governance to a widowed woman. In this conspiracy, Phalgun’s greatest weapons were Kshemagupta’s two nephews, Mahima and Patal.
Kshemagupta’s father, Purvagupta, being ambitious for power, had married off his two daughters to Choz and Bhubhatt. With them, Koshpana had maintained extremely close relations. After their uncle’s death, Mahima and Patal rushed to Kashmir in their greed for the throne and joined hands with Phalgun. When the conspiracy to murder the young prince failed, Phalgun became involved in an even more dreadful plot; now he began to tempt Mahima and Patal with the lure of the throne.
On the canvas of time, the image of yet another dark night emerged, where, in Phalgun’s palace, the presence of several men could be seen. From their attire and conduct, they appeared to be royal ministers. Phalgun was engaged in a private conversation with two royal men, while the others seemed to be waiting for someone. The two with whom Phalgun was conferring were Mahima and Patal.
Phalgun said to them, “Firstly, she is physically disabled; on top of that, she is a woman. To entrust the governance of the kingdom to her would be the height of foolishness.”
Patal said, “And while we are alive, this infant son is being regarded as the heir. Even though Mahima and I possess all the qualifications to ascend the throne, we are being deprived of it. There can be no greater injustice than this.”
Mahima said, “This time they will understand how dreadful the consequences can be.”
Phalgun, speaking like a shrewd man, said, “Look, do not attach any importance at all to what others think. Even during your uncle’s lifetime, it was I who held the reins of Kashmir’s administration. So when I consider you the rightful heirs, that itself is a very great matter.”
They were speaking among themselves when several royal figures arrived at Phalgun’s palace. Seeing them, Mahima and Patal stepped forward and said, “Please come, please come.” With folded hands, they greeted them and invited them in. Then, introducing them to Prime Minister Phalgun and the other ministers present in the assembly, Mahima said, “This is Himmaka, this is Mukula, this is Ermantaka, this is Udayagupta, the famous son of Amritkara, and this is Yashodhara of Lalitadityapura. Their armies are so powerful that the very earth trembles in fear beneath their feet.” On learning their identities, the conspirators murmured in admiration.
All those who had arrived that day had entered Phalgun’s palace in disguise, without any bodyguards. But this information did not remain hidden from Didda. Narbahan’s men were present in Phalgun’s palace in disguise; they secretly conveyed news of this conspiracy to Narbahan. Narbahan informed Didda of everything, because at that time the entire responsibility of the kingdom’s army rested in Didda’s hands, and nothing could be done without her consent.
The kind of training Didda had received was unknown to the army of Kashmir. Therefore, Didda decided that the army would surround Prime Minister Phalgun’s palace, while she herself would enter the palace with Bhalaga at that time. Didda had been waiting for such a situation. Under one roof, she was getting all her enemies together at once. Such an opportunity could not be allowed to slip away.
As soon as Didda’s orders were received, the Kashmiri soldiers set out toward Phalgun’s palace and, within moments, began to surround it from all sides. But Phalgun’s power was hardly less than Narbahan’s; a section of the army was still loyal to Phalgun. Therefore, the palace could not be fully encircled, and news reached Phalgun that Didda and Bhalaga were coming to attack them.
Proof of Didda’s valor was unknown to no one. Thus, they had no desire to be attacked in such a manner by a physically disabled woman while being completely unarmed. So, through extremely secret routes, they fled. Mahima and Patal both escaped and took refuge in the kingdom of Mahima’s father-in-law, Shaktisena.
That very night, Didda realized that a section of the ministers and the army was completely under Phalgun’s control, and that to bring them under her own command, she would have to lure them with money. Narbahan supported this decision at that very moment. For during the reign of Maharaja Kshemagupta, a severe financial crisis had arisen among the people of the kingdom; the royal officials did not receive their rightful payments on time. This was because the wealth of the royal treasury had been usurped by Phalgun and his loyalists. At that time, a belief had spread that allegiance to Phalgun ensured financial gain.
Thus, many people began to live quite comfortably by accepting Phalgun’s largesse. Didda announced not only monetary rewards, but also various other benefits. Along with valuable jewels and money, she began to grant land to her supporters. She tripled the salaries of royal officials, and took responsibility for all the needs of the families of those who pledged loyalty to her. In this way, gradually, as time passed, a much larger class of loyal supporters of Didda arose across Kashmir.
Step by step, Didda brought power completely into her own hands and, before the entire royal court, bestowed upon Narbahan the title of Rajanaka. Didda retained complete governing authority in her own hands, but entrusted Narbahan with the responsibility of commander-in-chief of the army. Didda wanted Abhimanyu’s reign to be entirely free of obstacles. Gradually, by offering wealth and power, she drew even Phalgun’s former supporters into her own camp. In this way, following the principles of Chanakya, she slowly began to encircle her enemy.
Within a few days, Phalgun realized that he had become isolated in Kashmir; those closest to him had abandoned him. Fully aware of Didda’s power, Phalgun left Kashmir in disguise for a time.
Gradually, Abhimanyu continued to grow, and Didda skillfully managed the administration of Kashmir. Thus, nearly five years passed. The people of Kashmir had by then accepted Didda with heart and soul. Along with raising her son, Didda devoted herself day and night to the service of the people. In every village, she provided the people with free —for providing medical care, she established charitable hospitals. She employed people in the excavation of reservoirs, the construction of roads, and other works for the development of the state, and paid the people fair wages calculated on a daily basis. As a result, every member of each family earned an income, their financial hardships were alleviated, and the people of the kingdom began to sing Didda’s praises.
In this way, immersed day and night in the affairs of the state, Didda scarcely found any time for herself. She spent her days in the royal court, and from time to time she would set out on tours of the kingdom in disguise.
Thus, without her even realizing it, entire days would pass.
Prince Abhimanyu grew up under the care of the Queen Mother and Bhalaga, but in that sense he scarcely received his mother’s company at all. One day, returning from the royal court, Didda saw the Queen Mother feeding Abhimanyu kheer with her own hands. Seeing such a scene filled Didda with joy, for compared to the dreadful loneliness of her own childhood, her son was far more fortunate. He had the blessing of growing up surrounded by love.
Didda went and sat before them, watching her son eat the kheer. The Queen Mother was fully absorbed in feeding her grandson. When the prince finished eating, Bhalaga washed his face. Now the young prince was playing happily when the Queen Mother said to Didda, “I have been thinking of telling you something for a long time. You remain busy with the affairs of the state all day long. Yes, I understand that you do all this for the welfare of the kingdom, but it is creating a distance between you and the prince. At this age, a child needs a mother’s affection and tenderness. But he is receiving none of that from you.”
Didda had noticed this as well. When she returned to the palace, on most days the prince would already be asleep; and even when he was awake, he would not turn toward his mother, as if he did not even recognize her. Didda realized that in fulfilling her duty to the kingdom day after day, she had unknowingly created a great distance between herself and her child. Perhaps that was why no emotional bond had formed between Abhimanyu and his mother. Even upon seeing her, he remained absorbed in his own play.
Didda understood why the Queen Mother was saying these things to her. After thinking for a while, she said, “In three days it will be the full moon. I will take Abhimanyu with me —go to the Padmaswami Temple to offer prayers.” Hearing Didda’s words, the Queen Mother said, “All day long the prince is confined within four walls. Apart from me, Bhalaga, and the maidservants, he knows no one else.”
Didda replied, “Mother, there is a threat of a mortal attack on Abhimanyu. That is why he is kept within the palace, surrounded by a ring of security.”
The Queen Mother said, “But this is hampering his mental development. I do not want the prince to become an unsuccessful ruler like his father. From childhood, he must establish a bond with the people of the kingdom. If he does not connect with his land and his people, he will never be able to love them.”
Didda did not like to speak much; she had always been quiet. Bowing her head, she silently agreed with the Queen Mother’s words and began watching Abhimanyu at play.
For five long years, while Didda had been striving to establish good governance in her kingdom, Mahima and Patal gathered the Kashmiri Brahmins and formed an anti-Didda faction. They convinced the Kashmiri Brahmins that a physically disabled woman could never be the ruler of the kingdom, and that accepting such a ruler was an insult to them. Moreover, they spread rumors that Didda was a witch, whose arrival had brought about the untimely death of the Maharaja. By spreading many such calumnies against Didda, another powerful faction was created.
When it was announced in advance to the temple authorities that Didda would go to the Padmaswami Temple with the prince to offer prayers, the conspirators came to know of it. They considered Didda a witch, arguing that no ordinary woman could possess such powers. The way Didda severed heads from human bodies could only be done by a witch, and a witch’s son could never be a worthy heir to the throne. Therefore, before Didda herself, her child had to be killed.
That day, assassins from the enemy camp were present in the temple in the guise of devotees. Each of them carried weapons. Didda arrived at the temple to offer prayers with Abhimanyu, accompanied by fifty soldiers and Narbahan. The soldiers remained outside the temple, and when Didda entered the temple with Narbahan and Abhimanyu, she immediately sensed that the atmosphere inside was not normal, not like that of an ordinary temple.
Bhalaga and Vikramsena had taught her that whenever one enters any situation, along with the five senses, the sixth sense must also be kept fully alert. If this was not done, danger would arrive very quickly. Upon entering the temple and observing the body language of the devotees, Didda understood many things. Realizing that fighting alone with only fifty soldiers would be impossible, she instructed Narbahan to bring more troops from the palace.
Then, very calmly, she entered the sanctum with the young prince and realized that even the temple priest was one of the conspirators. Going right up to the priest with Abhimanyu, she said, “I will perform the worship and circumambulate this temple one hundred and eight times. During this time, the prince will remain with you. The responsibility of protecting him lies with you. If you carry out this task properly, I will give you immense wealth. But if anything goes wrong, there will be nothing more terrifying than me.”
As she spoke these words, it was as if fire was blazing from Didda’s eyes. The priest understood that if any harm came to the prince, Didda would destroy not only him but his entire family; but if he protected the prince, he would gain enormous wealth.
After completing the worship, Didda seated her son before the temple deity and said to the priest, “If the others involved in this conspiracy also obey my command, they too will become owners of great wealth.” In this way, Didda began playing her game of subduing her enemies with money. Mahima and Patal had never offered them such riches, so it took them no time at all to accept Didda’s proposal.
Didda then began circumambulating the temple one hundred and eight times, waiting only for the arrival of the soldiers. Prince Abhimanyu remained inside the sanctum. While circumambulating the inner shrine, Didda caught sight of Mahima and Patal. The temple was very close to the royal palace, and so before Didda could complete her one hundred and eight rounds, Narbahan arrived with the soldiers —entered the temple with them. Then a dreadful clash began. Meanwhile, a soldier came and handed Didda a sword. Didda shut the doors of the sanctum from the outside and leapt upon the enemies. She became like Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra—within the blink of an eye, moving in a circular motion, she severed one enemy’s head after another from their bodies. In the end, she killed Mahima and Patal as well. When Mahima and Patal, terrified by Didda’s Rudrani form, tried to flee, Didda chased after them. At the doorway leading out of the temple, with a single sweep of her sword, she separated both their heads from their bodies. Then, carrying those severed heads, she offered them at the feet of the deity’s idol.
After that, she instructed Narbahan to take the prince and return to the palace.
After destroying her enemies, she remained seated alone for some time with the doors of the sanctum closed. Following this incident, even the Brahmins became loyal to Didda; they saw Mother Bhavani manifested in her. Upon returning to the palace, Didda bestowed abundant wealth and land upon the priest of the Padmaswami Temple and the other loyal supporters.
After this event, Didda felt as though she had returned to the days of her own childhood—here, no one could truly be trusted; people had accepted her allegiance only for the sake of wealth. But how far could one go relying on a band of greedy, parasitic beings? This became the greatest question in Didda’s mind. Yet, amid all problems, one must never forget one’s duty. Didda had always remained conscious of her duty and her actions.
The affection and love she herself had never received, she bestowed upon Abhimanyu, and along with him, she raised and nurtured Chandralekha’s two daughters with that same tenderness and care. Then, on a dusky evening in the month of Agrahayan, the plaintive notes of the shehnai echoed through the palace of Kashmir. Fulfilling both the roles of mother and father, Didda arranged the marriage of Chandralekha’s two daughters. On the same day, the two princesses were united in marriage with the princes of two neighboring kingdoms of Kashmir. (Continues)
Click here for Part-1, Part-2, Part-3, Part-4, Part-5, Part-6, Part-7, Part-8, Part-9, Part-10, Part-11, Part-12, Part-13, Part-14, Part-15, Part-16, Part-17, Part-18, Part-19,
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Debasree Chakraborti is a renowned novel writer of Bengali language. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, she has done Master’s in Modern History from the Kolkata University, and authored some thirty books, mostly the novels, with historical perspective and themes. Her novel is ‘Maharaja Dahir’ that covers the history of Sindh from 662, the year of first attack on Sindh by the Arab armies till date, was published last year and translated by Nasir Aijaz into Sindhi language.
