Rani Abbakka Chowta was the first Tuluva Queen of Ullal who fought the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century.
She belonged to the Chowta dynasty which ruled over parts of coastal Karnataka (Tulu Nadu), India. Their capital was Puttige. The port town of Ullal served as their subsidiary capital. The Portuguese made several attempts to capture Ullal as it was strategically placed. But Abbakka repulsed each of their attacks for over four decades. For her bravery, she came to be known as Abhaya Rani (The fearless queen). She was also one of the earliest Indians to fight colonialism and is sometimes regarded as the ‘first woman freedom fighter of India’. In the state of Karnataka, she is celebrated along with Rani Kittur Chennamma, Keladi Chennamma, Rani Chennabhairadevi, and Onake Obavva, as the foremost women warriors and patriots.
Abbakka’s administration was well-represented by Jains, Hindus as well as Muslims. Historical research also reveals that during her rule in the 16th century, Beary men had served as seamen in the naval force. Rani Abbakka had personally supervised the construction of a dam at Malali; she had appointed Bearys for boulder work. Her army too consisted of people of all sects and castes. She even forged alliances with the Zamorin of Calicut.
Abbakka’s memory is much cherished in her hometown of Ullal. The “Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava” is an annual celebration held in her memory. A bronze statue of the queen has been erected in Ullal and another in Bangalore. Amar Chitra Katha published a book named ‘Rani Abbakka- The Queen who knew no fear’.The Karnataka Itihasa Academy has called for renaming the Queen’s Road in the state capital as ‘Rani Abbakka Devi Road.
Picture Credits – https://feminisminindia.com/rani-abbakka-chowta-queen-ullal/
