Eshan Maitra
Hatshepsut was the first very successful female pharaoh and a strong leader. But there was a deliberate act of Damnatio Memoriae, or the damnation of memory, against her. Not that there were any life-threat to her in her time of ruling. Rather someone tried to destroy all her traces tied to the world, 20 years after her death! All her stories carved into the structural wonders built under her authority, were attempted to be chiseled away. Fortunately many of the evidence remained to complete the puzzle of this great conspiracy. Still the question remains, who took weird such attempt? Was it out of anger or the glories of a female ruler was diminishing the image of traditional line of men ruling?
Hatshepsut was the 5th pharaoh of the 18th Egyptian dynasty, during 1473–1458 BC. It was unlikely for a woman to become the Pharaoh of Egypt at that times. Even more, a woman becoming a very strong leader of Egypt. Though Egyptians treated women highest than any of the ancient civilization. Still there must have been some uneasiness about accepting this fact. Since, Pharaohs were considered as the human embodiment of the God Horus. There were some controversies at first. Only her skills and leadership made her successful to win the heart of her people. Hatshepsut even took the name Hatshepsu, with extra ‘su’, word ending of a masculine name. Still, someone was unhappy and attempted a violent attack to erase her memories.
One theory suggests, it was possibly her step son, Thutmose III authorized the attack after her death. He was the rightful heir to the throne right after his father Thutmose II. But Thutmose II was affected by a deadly disease and died at a young age. When Thutmose III was practically a baby. So, the authority was passed to his step mother Hatshepsut, as a Regent to the King. Later, ended up ruling as the fully fledged Pharaoh, beside him for the need of time. May be Thutmose III was angry at her for this. May be, he only did this to make his reign look stronger than hers. But holding such grudge against the closest person of his family and acting upon it 20 years, seems bit obnoxious. It could be someone else. Who was made such crime against Hatshepsut simply because, she was a bad Pharaoh. Though, the evidences say the contrary.
Hatshepsut was certainly a great leader and successful Pharaoh. She authorized a huge benefitting trade mission to the faraway land of Punt (Great Coastal region where Indian Ocean meets Red Sea). She also enhanced the economy in many other ways. She was a great builder too. Djeser-Djeseru is an architectural phenomenon. As the daughter of the state God, Amun (Held far more status than the current day Catholic Pope). She also had strong religious ties. She was highly respect as a commander by her soldiers, because she also fought with them alongside. She successfully completed Nubian campaign and defended against invaders in her military career. Hence, she fulfilled all the traditional roles of a Pharaoh. Still all these stories are written upon the same structures she established. All the carvings on the temple and the red chapel she built for Amun, were under her authorization. It could be possible, she exaggerated few of the infos.
Whatever the cases might be, there is no question how unique and strong female figure Hatshepsut was in the ancient Egyptian world. That someone actually tried to destroy her image and erasing all her memories.