Srinagar-“Sultana Kota Rani: The Great Reshi Queen of Kashmir”, authored by Dr. Khwaja Farooq Renzushah, is receiving critical acclaim for its scholarly insight into one of Kashmir's most iconic and courageous historical figures.

The book, which has attracted widespread praise through various literary reviews and academic circles, presents an in-depth exploration of Queen Sultana Kota Rani's life, leadership, and spiritual influence. Through meticulous research and analysis of historical documents, Dr. Renzushah portrays her as a Sufi-oriented monarch, revered for her compassion, intellect, and unwavering defense of Kashmir against external invasions.

The Reshi Queen Who Defied Mongol Terror

Set against the backdrop of the early 14th century, the book recounts how Sultana Kota Rani stood as a symbol of resilience during one of Kashmir's most turbulent periods. In 1321 A.D., when the Mongol invader Zulqader Khan (Zulchu) unleashed terror upon the valley, both King Suha Deva and his Prime Minister-Kota Rani's own father-fled in pursuit of personal safety and treasure. Refusing to abandon her people, Kota Rani rose to the challenge, taking command of the kingdom and orchestrating a masterful defense of Kashmir.

In a remarkable act of strategic brilliance, she sought the assistance of Prince Padmasambhava Rinchenshah of Tibet, who later embraced Islam under the spiritual guidance of Hazrat (Syed Sharafuddin) popularly known in valley as Abdul Rahman Bulbulshah, a descendant of Hazrat Abu Muslim Abdul Rahman Khurasani, the former Governor of Khurasan. Bulbulshah's arrival in Kashmir marked the beginning of a Tasawuf (Sufi) Renaissance, fostering unity, peace, and divine love throughout the region.

Together, Sultana Kota Rani and Sultan Sader-ud-Din Rinchenshah, guided by Bulbulshah's teachings, launched a daring counter-strategy. As chronicled in Renzushah's research, the Queen ingeniously ordered the controlled blasting of glaciers at Pir Panjal, resulting in the annihilation of nearly 70,000 Mongol cavalrymen under Dalcha's command - a decisive moment that saved Kashmir from complete devastation.

A Legacy of Tasawuf, Tolerance, and Love

Dr. Renzushah's work delves deep into the spiritual transformation of Kashmir that followed this victory. Through the influence of Hazrat Bulbulshah's Tasawuf movement, Kashmir embraced an era of Renaissance rooted in unity, brotherhood, and compassion. The book underscores how the Reshi Queen and her spiritual mentor cultivated an ethos that shaped Kashmir's identity as an“abode of love and harmony.”

In his narrative, Renzushah pays heartfelt tribute to the Reshi-Sufi saints of Shahar-e-Khaas (downtown Srinagar), acknowledging their enduring role in preserving Kashmir's composite culture. He emphasizes that Tasawuf (Sufism) remains the key to sustaining the Valley's timeless message of coexistence - a flame that must continue to be nurtured by future generations.

Critical Reception and Impact

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