Srinagar, Oct 31 (K Pen): Dr. Khwaja Farooq Renzushah’s acclaimed book “Sultana Kota Rani – Reshi Queen of Kashmir” continues to draw widespread appreciation from literary and academic circles worldwide. The book, which recently earned the International Kashmir Literary Conference Honorary Award—presented by Shri Youraj Srivastava—sheds new light on one of Kashmir’s most remarkable and courageous historical figures.
In this meticulously researched work, Dr. Renzushah portrays Sultana Kota Rani as the great Sufi Queen who safeguarded Kashmir from the Mongol invasion led by Zulqader Khan in 1321 A.D. The book highlights her leadership, intelligence, and spiritual strength during one of the most turbulent chapters in Kashmir’s history.
According to the author, when King Suha Deva and his Prime Minister—Kota Rani’s father—abandoned the Valley, it was Kota Rani who stood firm against the advancing Mongol forces. She sought assistance from the Tibetan Buddhist prince Padmasambhava Rinchenshah to protect Kashmir from the terror unleashed by Dalcha’s army. The arrival of Hazrat Abdul Rahman Bulbulshah, a descendant of Hazrat Abu Muslim Abdul Rahman Khurasani and a revered Sufi saint, marked a turning point. With his spiritual guidance and the combined efforts of Rinchenshah and Kota Rani, Kashmir witnessed the defeat of the invading forces, symbolized by the strategic bursting of glaciers at Pir Panjal that wiped out nearly 70,000 enemy cavalry.
Dr. Renzushah’s narrative not only reconstructs a forgotten era but also emphasizes Kashmir’s deep-rooted Sufi ethos — one of love, tolerance, and unity. He highlights how the spiritual bond between Bulbulshah, Sultan Sader-ud-Deen Rinchenshah, and Reshi Queen Kota Rani transformed Kashmir into an abode of harmony and brotherhood.
Through “Sultana Kota Rani – Reshi Queen of Kashmir,” Renzushah invites readers to revisit the Valley’s spiritual heritage and the pivotal role of Tasawuf (Sufism) in preserving its composite culture. His work calls for renewed recognition of women’s contributions in shaping the historical, cultural, and spiritual fabric of Kashmir.
The book stands as a testament to Kashmir’s timeless message of peace and resilience — and to the enduring legacy of a queen who embodied both strength and spirituality | Kashmir Pen
