Queen of Kashmir – Didda Rani – Lohara Dynasty of Kashmir Medieval India – Bronze AE Stater Coin

Reverse: Ardoksho seated facing, holding a diadem and cornucopia.

This copper Drachma belongs to the fascinating period of Rani Didda, one of the most powerful female rulers in the history of Kashmir. Rani Didda was the daughter of Simharaja, ruler of Lohara, and a granddaughter on her maternal side of Bhimadeva Shahi of the Hindu Shahi dynasty of Kabul. Her marriage to Kashmir’s King Ksemagupta strengthened the political connection between Lohara and Kashmir. After Ksemagupta’s death, his young son Abhimanyu II succeeded to the throne, with Rani Didda acting as regent. Although Abhimanyu II was the nominal ruler, Didda exercised considerable, and effectively supreme, political authority over Kashmir. Her influence during this period is particularly reflected by the appearance of her name “Dida Rani” in Nagari on the coin.

The coin features a standing king performing a ritual sacrifice over an altar while holding a trident on the obverse, accompanied by the legend “Dida Rani.” The reverse depicts Ardoksho, a deity associated with prosperity and abundance, seated while holding a diadem and cornucopia. With its approximately 6.3 g copper flan and explicit reference to Rani Didda, this coin represents an important piece of early medieval Kashmiri numismatic history and illustrates the extraordinary political authority exercised by a woman during this period.