The queen known by the title Didda ruled between 980 and 1003 CE over which region of the Indian subcontinent?

Introduction / Context:
This question highlights a significant female ruler in early medieval Indian history, Queen Didda. Female sovereigns were relatively rare in that period, so Didda's rule stands out in regional histories. Knowing which region she ruled helps you place her in the correct political and geographical context and appreciate that women did sometimes assume direct authority in premodern India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The queen is referred to as Didda.
• Her reign is given as between 980 and 1003 CE.
• The question asks which part of India she ruled.
• Options include Avadh, Kashmir, Sindh, Bengal and Malwa.
• We assume familiarity with broad regional histories of north and north western India.

Concept / Approach:
Didda is associated with the region of Kashmir in the north western Himalayas. She effectively ruled Kashmir, first as regent and later in her own right, during the late tenth and early eleventh centuries. Avadh refers to a region in the Ganga plain around Lucknow and Faizabad, not associated with Didda. Sindh is further west, Bengal is to the east, and Malwa is in central India. None of these areas have Didda as a prominent historical queen. Therefore, the correct conceptual identification is between Queen Didda and the kingdom of Kashmir.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise the name Didda as belonging to a queen prominent in the history of Kashmir. Step 2: Recall that she ruled approximately from 980 to 1003 CE, a period matching early medieval Kashmir, not eastern or western coastal regions. Step 3: Eliminate Avadh, Bengal, Sindh and Malwa, where no major queen named Didda is recorded in standard school level histories. Step 4: Associate her with the Himalayan kingdom of Kashmir, known for its own line of kings and queens. Step 5: Select Kashmir from the options as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification is to recall that many textbooks mention Didda in the context of early medieval Kashmir, sometimes comparing her authority to that of male rulers of the same dynasty. They describe how she navigated palace intrigues and ruled effectively over the Kashmir valley. Avadh, Bengal, Sindh and Malwa have other well known rulers, but you will not commonly see Didda's name in their dynastic lists. This contrast supports Kashmir as the accurate regional association.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Avadh: Known more for later Nawabs such as Safdar Jang and Shuja ud Daulah in the eighteenth century, not for a queen named Didda.

Sindh: Associated historically with rulers like those defeated by Arab and later regional powers; there is no key tenth century queen Didda here in standard histories.
Bengal: A powerful region with its own dynasties, but Didda does not feature in its royal line during the period mentioned.
Malwa: A central Indian region with various dynasties, yet Didda is not recorded as its ruler in the years 980 to 1003.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the name Didda is less familiar than names like Razia or Ahilyabai Holkar, students may guess randomly among regions. Some may incorrectly associate any powerful queen with Bengal or Avadh simply because these regions frequently appear in exam questions. To avoid such confusion, make a small mental list of notable Indian queens and their regions: Didda with Kashmir, Razia with the Delhi Sultanate, Ahilyabai Holkar with Malwa, and Rani Lakshmibai with Jhansi. This simple mapping helps you locate Didda correctly in Kashmir.

Final Answer:
The queen Didda ruled over Kashmir between 980 and 1003 CE.