The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.114.4

v1.c13.114.4

Before long “The officers who held charge of foreign affairs, the royal household and other posts” began to visit the queen’s bed-chamber without scruples. This factor in her character, together with a passionate desire for power, soon brought about a violent reaction. As a result of this she killed her little grandson Nandigupta by ‘employing witchcraft’ in 973 A.D., and two years later in a similar way disposed of another grandson, Tribhuvana, who had been raised to the throne in his place.² In 975 she put “her last grandson Bhīmagupta on that path which bore the name throne.” The opportune death of the venerable minister Phalguṇa removed the last restraint, and “thereafter she committed hundredfold excesses by open misconduct, infuriated just as a female elephant in rut which has torn off its face-covering.” Even ministers and leading men became procurers of her “many paramours.” As the child-king Bhīmagupta after four or five years “became a little developed in intellect and recognised that the affairs of his kingdom and his grandmother's way of living were not right," he was imprisoned and put to death by various tortures (980-81 A.D.).¹ Shortly before this event Diddā had been captivated by a young Khaśa from Parṇotsa named Tuṅga. He had at first come to Kashmir as a herdsman of buffaloes, and later obtained employment as a letter-carrier in the Foreign Office. When Diddā herself ascended the throne in 980-81 A.