Kota Rani
Kota Rani, 1338, Queen of Kashmir. She was the daughter of Ramachandra, the commander of King Sahadeva who fled the state on the approach of the Tartar invader, Duluchu, leaving the government to him. Her father, with the aid of the Tibetan adventurer, Rinchin, and a Muslim, Shah Mir was able to defeat the invader. In 1320, Rinchin, however, murdered her father, and seized the throne and compelled Kota Rani to become his wife. Rinchin succumbed to a conspiracy three years later, and Kota Rani and Shah Mir invited Udyanadeva, brother of the fugitive king to, the throne. Kota Rani married the new king, and, became the de facto ruler. She also exhibited her cunning and bravery in disarming and capturing the Turkish invader, Achala, who was beheaded. After the death of her husband in 1338, the power was usurped by her Muslim minister, Shah Mir, and Kota Devi was forced to surrender to him and became his wife, though she stabbed herself on the wedding night.
