Lohara Dynasty, Queen Didda Rani, 979–1003 CE, AE Stater, Bronze, 5.25 grams, Diameter: 19.13 mm, Kashmir region, Reference: CCK #11, About Very Fine, + Scarce.

Obverse: Goddess Ardoxsho (Lakshmi) seated in lalitasana, holding diadem and long-stemmed lotus; Sharada legend “Śrī Didda” (सॊ दिदा).

Reverse: Standing royal figure at sacrificial altar with Sharada legend “Devya”.

“An important female-issued coin from medieval Kashmir, reflecting sovereign authority and religious symbolism”

Didda Rani was one of the most formidable female monarchs in Indian history and the last powerful ruler of pre-Islamic Kashmir. Born into the Lohara dynasty, she married the Utpala king Kshemagupta and later ruled as regent after his death. Through calculated political maneuvering and ruthless elimination of rivals, including her own descendants, Didda assumed full imperial authority around 980 CE. Despite her controversial reputation in Kalhana’s Rajtarangini, her reign brought relative stability to a region plagued by noble factionalism. This bronze stater symbolizes her independent sovereignty, featuring Ardoxsho (Lakshmi) to assert prosperity and divine legitimacy, while the Sharada legends explicitly name Didda, making it a rare and historically powerful female dynastic issue from medieval Kashmir.

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