Redefining the Intellectual and Philosophical Discourse of Lal Ded
Shalini Attri
Journal of the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists June 4, 2026 DOI: 10.1163/2666318x-bja00047 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Lal Ded's vaaks illustrate the meaninglessness of earthly identities and promote the idea that ultimate knowledge transcends gender and caste distinctions, contributing to a philosophy of humanistic principles and spirituality. |
Abstract
The fourteenth century witnessed the emergence of Indian women mystic/Bhakti/spiritual philosophers. Lal Ded, a key figure in ancient literary history, also called Lalleshwari, was a poetess from Kashmir known for her insights, learning, and perspicacity as well as her contributions to rhetoric and philosophical debates. Being an ardent follower of Trikha school of Kashmiri Shaivism, her poetry/ vaaks centers on pure consciousness and mysticism. It illustrates the meaninglessness of earthly identities while promoting the idea that ultimate knowledge transcends gender and caste distinctions. This study examines Lal Ded’s vaaks as a canonical work of Kashmiri literature elaborating on her philosophy of humanistic principles and spirituality/mysticism/Bhakti engulfed in the idea of reformation. It contributes to the analysis of Lal Ded’s place in poetry by revisiting her philosophical discourse and scholarship.