The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c11.s3.7

c11.s3.7

Though queens usually did not assume the reins of government when their husbands were alive, they did not hesitate to assume full control of the administration as regents, when their husbands died or sons were minors or taken prisoners. During the captivity of king Udayana of Kauśāmbī, his mother had taken full charge of the administration. The way in which she discharged her duties excited the admiration of even experienced ministers¹. Many dowager queen regents also are known to ancient Indian history. The queen of Masaga was directing the attack against Alexander the Great, when her husband was killed in the battle with the invader. In the second century B. C. queen Nayanikā was at the head the administration of the extensive Sātavāhana empire of the Deccan during the minority of her son. In the 4th century A. D. Prabhāvatīguptā was directing the Vākāṭaka administration in the Central Province for more than 10 years after her husband's death as the Queen Regent for her minor son. In medieval Kashmir queens Sugandhā and Diddā were actively governing the country during their widowhood. In Rajput history there are several instances of widowed queens carrying on the administration efficiently during the minority of their sons even in troublesome times. Thus when her husband Sāmarasi died on the battlefield along with Prithvīarāja in 1193 A. D. Kūrmādevī took the administration of Mevad in her own hands, and fought at the head of her troops resisting the invasion of Kutbu-d-din¹. Karṇavatī, one of the widows of Rana Sang, took a prominent part in the defence of Chitor, when it was attacked by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. Her moving and inspiring address rekindled patriotism in a sullen and alienated nobility, which as a consequence, immediately mustered strong in the defence of the famous fort. The odds, however, were too heavy against the gallant defenders. Undaunted by the inevitable defeat that was staring them in the face, Jawahirbai, another queen of King Sanga, fought at the head of the army and died on the battle-field while defending the castle². Many other similar instances of able queen regents can be given from the medieval 'Rajput history.