The Victorious Legacy of Ancient Kashmir Part 11…..
Uddyandev’s suppressed ambition exploded in a conspiracy against King Rinchan with the help of impressive local Commander, Sardar Tikkoo. They attacked his palace, with a few of the close confidants and spread the rumor of Rinchan’s killing. It was followed by a condition of lawlessness in the city but the timely measures by Kotarani curtailed the anarchy and brought back the peace and serenity. As soon as Rinchan’s health improved, he terminated each of the mutineers and tried to bring back normalcy. But the deep wounds had shaken him from within and he breathed his last in 1320.
When he found out that his end was approaching, he appointed his trustworthy minister, Shahmeer as a caretaker of Kotarani and Prince Hyder
Shahmeer had traveled to Kashmir as an Islamic apostle from Swat and the then King Suhadev utterly lacking in foresight, had appointed him on the important ministerial position. Now, Kashmir was bestowed upon with the first converted Muslim king along with Shahmeer as the first’ Islamic propagandist.
When King Rinchan took stern steps against all those who had attacked his palace, Uddyandev, somehow went into exile and was saved. As soon as, Rinchan was dead, he reappeared and gathered a large army to fight Kashmir. Now, in Rinchan’s absence and no other king to lead and rule, Kashmir was incapable of striking back. The army had also been nonunionized in absence of a capable commander. Hence, Uddyandev’s stratagem began to be successful.
Kotarani was extremely anxious as she was unable to prevent Kashmir’s plausible downfall. Her motto of “राष्ट्र सर्वोपरि,” inspired her to act in the best interest of the citizens of the state. Thus, she gathered her wits and with the determination of secure lives of the people of Kashmir, decided to get married to Uddyandev.
As Justice Kalim writes, “Kashmir was once again shattered. Although Rinchen had taken initial steps of peace, he has failed in entirely curbing the anarchists. Post Rinchan’s demise, the anarchic elements had resurrected. She had no option but to offer herself in marriage, to Uddyandev and sacrifice the rights of her son Hyder, from the Kingdom of Kashmir and Uddyandev married her with pomp and show as soon as he was coronated on Kashmir’s throne.”
Had Kotarani refrained from taking this bold step, the entire region of Kashmir would have been devastated by the foreign invaders accompanying Uddyandev. Now, with the status of the queen, she was entitled to take the reins of governance in her hands. Her son Hyder was a minor. After king Rinchan’s death, he was official heir to the throne but Kotarani sacrificed his rights for the safety and welfare of the people of Kashmir. Uddyandev was allured by her exceptional charismatic charm and beauty as well as her political acumen. Uddyandev’s persona was like flickering light against the sunlit personality of Kotarani.
Around the same time, Kashmir was invaded by Parsian Tatar Commander called Achala. Uddyandev once again went absconding. Historian Mohammadin Fack has wholeheartedly appreciated, in his “History of Kashmir”, Kotarani’s resolve and administrative skills. He writes, ” Following the footsteps of his family, Uddyandev disappeared to Tibet but Kotarani’s exuberant appeal awakened the patriotism in heart of Kashmiri and thousands gathered under Kotarani’s flag and gave Tatars a befitting reply.”
Kotarani called on all the Commanders, Army personnel, Political thinkers, Social as well as Religious leaders for a meeting and made a sincere appeal to forgo the differences and fight out, national calamity unitedly. If they failed to do so, they would be faced with immense agony. She reminded them of the enormous debacle at the time of Dulchu’s invasion.
There was a colossal effect of her clarion call and every Kashmiri came under one flag, rising above their inter-personal differences. Kotarani remained the sole anchor of the battle and the swiftness of her sword created havoc. Her proficient war maneuver and army logistic created a massive impact on Achala’s army.
The size of Achala’s army was much larger and Kotarani immediately grasped that it was nearly impossible to curtail the foreign invaders with just the potency in arms and patriotic values at heart. The strength of armed force and armaments is an essential factor to defeat the invader. Hence, Kotarani decided to adopt the counterfeit strategy. The best strategist is the one that switches over to a more suitable one according to the need of the hour and gives a befitting reply
Shathe shathya samaacharet…
(kill the scalawag with malevolence.)
To date, this generosity of virtuous conduct has been a weakness of Hindus and they have paid a heavy price for this graciousness. but, Kotarani understood the significance of disregarding this courteousness. Kotarani sent her faithful messenger with the proposal of the treaty, stating that the Kashmiri army is exhausted and fatigued. Hence, the warfare should be stopped at the earliest. The King of Kashmir had eloped in fear and the throne is empty.
But she placed one requisition that Achala’s army should be sent back. She conveyed that he would’ve welcomed by Kashmiri hoor and she herself, would be present in his service. The Specialist Conspirator of war-field with immense Political acumen became a victim of honey-coated words of Kotarani. He sent his entire army back and waited impatiently for Kotarani with his few colleagues.
He was in his dream-world of Kashmiri hoors and above all, Kotarani, when the Lioness Kotarani reached there and with a single stroke of her sword, chopped off his head. Achala’s colleagues met with the same fate.
And, Kashmir remained undefeated.
Kotarani turned out as Ma Durga for Kashmiris and top Government officials and army personnel as well as the group of Ministers, in one voice declared Kotarani as the ruler of Kashmir.
हमारी भूलो का स्मारक – धर्मांतरित काश्मीर
नरेन्द्र सेहगल
राजतरंगिणी – कल्हाण
My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir
Lt Governor Jagmohan
Madhvi Bhuta is the National Executive of BJP Mahila Morcha and a Columnist on various Forums.
