Women and Political Power in South and East Asia- An Indic Civilizational Legacy

By Santushti Raj Thapar

This book is dedicated to the great women rulers of the Indic civilisation's legacy and all other women who have permanently etched their names in mythology, history, and politics. Whether from the Vedic period, mediaeval era, or modern era, all of the influential females and female rulers mentioned in the book were fearless, occasionally ferocious, powerful, influential, smart, and intelligent. They all made significant contributions during their reigns, including religious, social, and political reforms. Many of them ruled for lengthy and prosperous periods. They promoted education, technology, and novel government systems. These female rulers exhibited great courage in taking the lead, as they were all up against firmly established patriarchal traditions and were influenced by the legacy of the Indic Civilization.

• Language: English
• Publisher: FanatiXx Publication
• Release date: Mar 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201531782

Book preview

Women and Political Power in South and East Asia

An Indic Civilizational Legacy

Santushti Raj Thapar

Author, Writer & Columnist: Indian Govt. & Politics

FanatiXx Publication

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© Copyright, 2021, Santushti Raj Thapar

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Women and Political Power in South and East Asia

1st Edition

By: Santushti Raj Thapar

ISBN: 978-93-5452-074-7

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To the queens who rule over my heart

My mom in law Lalita Thapar

&

My mom Seema Bhati

About the Author

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IMG_3773.jpeg Santushti Raj Thapar hails from small town Palwal in Haryana. She is an author, writer, columnist, educator and social worker. Her first-hand experience of preparation for the civil services examinations & pursuit of Ph.D. in Indian Govt. and Politics have been a great source of stimulation and inspiration in the writing snapshot series for UPSC aspirants. She writes editorials for various newspapers & magazines. She co-chair NGO "Varun - Ek Goonj' varunekgoonj.in & Shree Rama Rajya Parishad' shreeramarajyaparishad.com. She is an active social worker and firmly believes in socialism. She received an 'Women Empowerment Award' from Rahat aid Foundation in 2018 and 2019 for her distinguish services to the society.

When not writing she can be found in her garden, reading books and questioning on readings, rational discussions, haunting bookstores, libraries and press clubs. She admires her papa in law for his motivation fair & unconditional love, the reason; his father in law name ist name 'Raj' completes her identity 'Santushti RAJ Thapar'.

Keep in touch with Santushti via the web:

Website: https://www.santushtithapar.com

Gmail I'd: [e-mail]

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SantushtiThapar

Acknowledgement

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I want to thank Major Chandrakant Vrc for his kind suggestion that I write about this topic. Also, Meera Bai, Gohar Shad, and Razia Sultan are famous historical figures, they were also written by him.

I am indebted to him for his guidance throughout the book’s writing process.

Contents

Vedic Period

Mrigawati: : An incarnation of Apsara

Anula: Asia’s First Female Monarch

Soma Devi: First Monarch of Cambodia

Viharamaha Devi: A Legendary Queen

Lilavati: Queen of Polonnaruwa

Prabhavatigupta: India's First Female Monarch in India

Rudrama Devi: A Queen with a Mission

Razia Sultan: The Only Female Sultan Of Delhi

Gohar Shad: Queen Of Afghanistan

Queen Didda: Only Female Monarch of Kashmir

Bhaktins: India's Feminist Pioneers

Mirabai: A Tale of Simultaneous Devotion and Subversion

Late Medieval And Early Age

Suriratna: The Indian Princess Who Ascended To The Throne Of Korea

Velu Nachiyar: The Tamil Queen Who Fought Away the British

Durgavati: The Valiant Rani

Manikarnika: The Warrior Queen

Kittur Chennamma: India’s First Ruler

Modern Period

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi:India's First Female Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh's First Female Prime Minister.

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga:First Female President of Srilanka

Benazir Bhutto: First Female Prime Minister of Pakistan

Pratibha Devisingh Patil: First Female President of India

Megawati Sukarnoputri: First Female President of Indonesia

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: President of the Philippines

Park Geun-Hye: President Of South Korea

Corazon Aquino: First Female President Of Philippines

Bidya Devi Bhandari: First Female President Of Nepal

Khaleda Zia:Battling Begum Of Bangladesh

Yingluck Shinawatra: The Prime Minister of Thailand

Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh: Vietnam First Female President

Tsai Ing-Wen: President Of Taiwan

Shailaja Acharya: First Female Prime Minister Of Nepal

Powerful Members Of Collective Head-Of-Party’s & State Bodies

Sonia Gandhi: A Champion Of India’s Poor

Hina Rabbani: Pakistan’ S Pioneer Woman

Sushma Swaraj: An Inspiring Life

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: A 21st Century Indira?

Sheila Dikshit: The Woman Who Transformed Delhi, Its Politics

Vasundhara Raje Scindia: A Political Legacy of the Royal Family

Selija Kumari: An Astonishing Leader Of Haryana

Jayalalitha: The ‘Goddess’ Of Tamil Nadu Politics

Mayawati: The Untouchable Idol Of India’s Most Populous State, U.P

Meira Kumar:Style Evolved With Her Roles

Nirmala Sitharaman: The Stunning Rise

Smriti Irani:Rise as a Union Minister from Soap Star

Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar Democracy Icon Who Fell From Grace

Hosna Jalil: Good Fight In Afghanistan’s Politics

Mamata Banerjee: West Bengal’s Didi

Malala Yousafzai: A Pakistani Female Activist And Future Leader

Barriers To Women Participation In South East And Asia

Preface

In 2016, while undergoing the nomination process for the Presidency, Hillary Clinton stated candidly that she was unsure whether America was prepared for a female President.

It is a source of great pride that India has established itself as a trailblazer on this score. In mythology and throughout history, we have worshipped goddesses and entrusted them with the most important portfolios. Women were equal to men in all spheres of life during the Vedic period.

On page 65 of Brown’s book ‘Theology of Radha’, the female, i.e. Radha, is referred to as the creator of the universe. As such, he is the supreme God. One should always begin with Jai Siya Ram or Jai Radhe Krishan, emphasizing the female. Indian religious belief is the acceptance of the belief that God exists in both male and female forms and that both are equal, as in the case of Ardhaneshwar. We worship Ram alongside Sita in our temples. Krishna is pictured with Radha, while Shiva is pictured with Parvati. Indeed, we worship Lakshmi as a stand-alone deity in modern times, just as we do Saraswati.

Unlike other major civilisations with all-male sages and rishis, we have significant female rishikas such as Lopmudra. Ansuya Sati. Madalasa et al. Women such as Rani Durgawati, Rani Rudrama Devi, and Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, among others, have demonstrated tremendous strength and conviction in their selves, as well as an overwhelming love for their motherland. Additionally, they have reaffirmed that an Indian woman is on an equal footing with her male counterpart in every way.

These factors influence our thinking, and as a result, we (Indians) are willing to accept female leaders in the twenty-first century, referring to them as 'Amma' (Jayalalitha), 'Behnji' (Mayavati), or 'Didi' elder sister (Mamata Banerjee).

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This book is dedicated to the great women rulers of the Indic civilisation's legacy and all other women who have permanently etched their names in mythology, history, and politics. Whether from the Vedic period, mediaeval era, or modern era, all of the influential females and female rulers mentioned in the book were fearless, occasionally ferocious, powerful, influential, smart, and intelligent. They all made significant contributions during their reigns, including religious, social, and political reforms. Many of them ruled for lengthy and prosperous periods. They promoted education, technology, and novel government systems. These female rulers exhibited great courage in taking the lead, as they were all up against firmly established patriarchal traditions and were influenced by the legacy of the Indic civilization.

Also, the book educates readers about the significant eras in which powerful, influential women rulers contributed to the Indic civilisation's legacy. Women who ruled South and East Asia throughout the Vedic, Ancient, Medieval, and Modern eras The Author has attempted to provide a comprehensive picture, guiding you through the legacy of the Indic civilisations that inspired the growth of women rule: socially, economically, and culturally; the rule of Queens, Pharos, and politicians, and the progression of their superpowers in South East and Asia. The author's opinions are his or her own and do not reflect the views of any organisation.

Vedic Period

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Women were equal to men in all spheres of life during the Vedic period.[1] Works of ancient Indian grammar artists such as Patanjali and Katyayana indicate that the women of the early Vedic period were educated.[2] Rig Vedic verses suggest that women married at a mature age and probably were free to choose their husbands in practice known as Gandharva marriage[3] (Swayamvar or Gandharva). Several women, including Gargi Vachaknavi, Maitreyyi[4], are mentioned by the Rig Veda and Upanishads (c. 7th century BCE).

The initiation and study of the Vedas were initially allowed to women. It is mentioned in the Dharmasutra of Harita[5]:

The story of the marriage of Draupadi to five men is one example in Mahabharata. This showed that polygamy in the Vedic era was combined with polyandry. In an assembly named Swayamwar, women could choose their husbands. In this practice, the woman's father invited every man, and the woman chose one and married him while watching the court. This demonstrated the seriousness of women's rights during the Vedic period. The practice was common until the 10th century A.D.

Each God was shown in their wives' companions in the Puranas (Brahma with Saraswathi, Vishnu with Lakshmi and Shiva

with Parvati). God's idols and goddesses have been represented with equal value for both sexes. For goddesses, separate temples were established, and deities were treated and adored in each temple as carefully and devotedly as the gods. In terms of worship preference, there are also special practices to be adopted until today.

In the Sixth or Fifth centuries BCE, Queen M M Mergeāvatī or Migāvatī (In Sanskrit) from the Vatsa Mahajanapada ruled as regent, and her son[6], Udayana, was a minor or a rival king captive.[7]

Apastamba sutra (c. 4th century BCE)[8] reflects specific common insights into women's role in the post-Vedic periods. The Apastamba Sutra shows the high position of women in the 4th century BCE:

A man is not allowed to abandon his wife (A 1.28.19).

He permits daughters to inherit (A 2.14.4). There can be no division of property between a husband and a wife, because they are linked inextricably together and have joint custody of the property (A 2.29.3). Thus, a wife may make gifts and use the family wealth on her own when her husband is away (A 2.12.16–20).

Women are upholders of traditional lore, and Āpastamba tells his audience that they should learn some customs from women (A 2.15.9; 2.29.11).

Mrigawati: : An incarnation of Apsara

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During the Rig Vedic period, the Kuru Kingdom encompassed the region of Haryana/Delhi and the Ganga-Jamuna Doab, from Prayag/Kaushambi to Prayag/Kaushambi, with its capital at Hastinapur.

Vatsa and other Mahajanapadas in the Post Vedic period. C. 700 BCE-c. 300 BCE

According to the Puranas, after the Ganges washed away Hastinapura, the Bhrata king Nicaku, Janamejaya's great-great-grandson, abandoned the city and settled in Kausambi. Bhasa's Svapnavsavadatt and Pratijna-Yaugandharyaa support this. Both refer to King Udayana as a Bhratas scion (Bharata-kula).

Queen Mṛgāvatī (in Sanskrit) or Migāvatī was Udayana's mother (in Prakrit). She was the daughter of Chetaka, Vaishali's leader.[9] It is recorded that she served as regent for her son,

though sources differ regarding the specific circumstances. According to Jain canonical texts, Udayana was still a minor at the time of Śatānīka's death, and thuthe responsibility of governing the kingdom fell on the shoulders of queen Migāvatī ...till her son grew old enough.[10] Bhāsa's Pratijñāyaugandharāyaṇa says that she took full charge of the administration while Udayana was held as a prisoner by King Pradyota of Avanti, and how she discharged her duties excited the admiration of even experienced ministers.[11]

Anula: Asia’s First Female Monarch

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Queen Anula of Anuradhapura was a Reign Born of Poison

Anula was a queen of Anuradhapura, an ancient kingdom that ruled over Sri Lanka. Anula is recorded as the first queen in Sri Lanka who wielded a significant degree of power and authority.

According to the Mahavamsa, Queen Anula of Anuradhapura was ruled by her sense of pleasure. (Oleksii Sergieiev / Adobe Stock)

So, if you set an analogy of Cersei Lannister from ‘Game of Throne’? Sri Lanka’s

black widow-like Queen Anula could give Cersei a run for her money: Anula

poisoned her way through six husbands and is said to have kept a whopping

thirty-two palace guards for the sole purpose of satisfying her sexual desire.

Yet on the flip side, her atrocities pale next to those committed by some of her

male counterparts, which begs the question: why is she the only one vilified?

Image courtesy: giantbomb.com

She may have entered Sri Lankan history as Asia's first female monarch, but Lanka's first queen is hardly portrayed as someone you'd want to take as a role model.

Queen Anula reigned in Anuradhapura from 47 to 42 BC, a reign marked by covert love affairs, a string of murders, plenty of poison, a great deal of deception, scheming, and intrigue, and, of course, a string of hapless husbands who all fell victim to her mantis-like proclivity for marrying men and then murdering them. Indeed, the Mahavamsa is unusually fair in its account of her atrocities, describing her as a tyrant, cruel nymphomaniac with phrases like wicked, infamous, and licentious. This is unusual in and of itself, given the extent of some of our male kings' misdeeds, but her story makes for intriguing reading, so here it is. First, allow us to summarize her time in the Mahavamsa's spotlight by providing you with a list of all her tragic spouses.

1. Coranaga King (62-50 BC). He was described as an unpopular and brutal tyrant who governed for twelve horrible years with Anula as his queen consort. Anula, who was having an illicit affair with a royal guard named Siva, brought the old king's reign to an end when she poisoned his meals. However, her plans were thwarted when Kuda Tissa promptly took the throne.

2. Tissa Kuda (50-47 BC). He was Coranaga's predecessor's son, who eventually pardoned Anula and made her his queen consort. This, however, would prove to be his downfall; he survived for three years before Anula poisoned him to clear the way for her to marry her aforementioned palace guard paramour.

3. Siva. Anula's sexual exploits appear to have been infamously brief; Siva had only been on the throne for a little more than a year when she assassinated him as well, after establishing an attachment to a commoner named Vatuka.

4. Vatuka. Vatuka is a Sanskrit word that He worked as a carpenter in the city. He became Anula's consort and governed Anuradhapura for a year and two months before meeting his end (yep, he was poisoned again) when his queen fell in love with a wood carrier named Tissa.

5. Tissa. Anula handed over the administration to her new paramour, who survived for a year and a month. To fulfil his kingly obligations, he constructed one bathing tank in Mahameghavana before Anula became tired of him and poisoned him as well, allowing her to marry her newest paramour, a Brahmin and palace priest.

6. Niliya He ruled for six months before Queen Anula chose to depose him as well and merely govern alone.

Queen Anula (who, according to the Mahavamsa, ruled Sri Lanka on her own for four months until being ousted by Kutakanna Tissa, the second son of Coranaga's predecessor who had raised an army and returned from exile to claim the throne. Queen Anula is reported to have been burned alive on a funeral pyre within the palace — a terrible conclusion to a cruel reign.

Yes, she was rather typical of an evil queen. Indeed, there is no doubting that Queen Anula's moral compass was tragically skewed, but the Mahavamsa's authors appear to have forgotten, in their righteous indignation and outrage, that a good number of Lanka's monarchs perpetrated atrocities considerably worse than hers. For example, it's odd that historical writings express such outrage about her numerous lovers while, despite an apparent veneer of conservatism, polygamy was so prevalent in ancient Sri Lanka that it barely merited mention in historical documents. Our forefathers' rulers had a plethora of lower spouses, concubines, and illegitimate children, yet this was regarded as a sign of pride rather than immorality. Anula is positively virginal in comparison to rulers like Kashyapa, who

could make Playboy Hugh Hefner green with envy with his five hundred concubines who occupied Sigiriya's pleasure chambers.[12]

In terms of murder, many of our rulers committed it as well, and many of their atrocities were considerably more horrific than hers. Sri Lankan history is truly red with the blood of numerous depositions and murders, and the majority of rulers were warriors who were accustomed to murdering. Yet when a king assassinates an adversary (or, in certain cases, such as King Valagamba's, assassinates his own minister for refusing to bow to him), he is frequently presented as a swashbuckling hero rather than a villain, with his crimes brushed off as insignificant non-events. We are not claiming that Anula is a model ruler; rather, we are stating that she is viewed in a much less forgiving light than her male counterparts, whose transgressions were far greater.

Soma Devi: First Monarch of Cambodia

The Soma Chaitya in the Dambulla Rock Temple, named after Valagamba’s Queen Consort Soma Devi. Image courtesy: pcssr.com

In direct contrast to our unjustly maligned Queen Anula, Soma Devi is frequently portrayed as the selfless heroine and noble altruist, the personification of courage, nobility, and all that is good.

Soma Devi, the second Queen Consort of King Valagamba of Anuradhapura (103 BC to 89 BC and 89 BC to 77 BC), neither ruled nor held power. Her ascension to historical importance is attributed to the supreme sacrifice she has made to safeguard the monarch during an invasion. To summarize, the nation was invaded five months into the King's reign by seven Tamil generals who waged war against him in an attempt to steal the throne. With his army shattered and an impending loss in sight, Valagamba was forced to flee for his safety,