Independence Day 2024: The Forgotten Descendants of the Brave Kittur Rani Chennamma

Kittur Rani Chennamma (1778-1830)

Among the most prominent warriors who fought for independence against British tyranny, deceit, and imperialism, the name of Kittur Rani Chennamma stands out. Even before Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Kittur Rani Chennamma had bravely resisted the British, becoming a symbol of Indian independence. Around the 1820s, the East India Company began establishing the British Empire in India, gradually taking control of different regions under its own rules. One such unofficial rule was that if a princely state under their control had no male heirs, the territory would automatically be annexed into the British Empire. John Thackeray, the Collector of Kittur under the Company, eagerly awaited the opportunity to seize Kittur using this rule.

Rani Chennamma’s husband, King Mallasarja of Kittur, was imprisoned by the Peshwas in Pune. His elder son, Shivaling Sarja, ruled the state and had adopted a boy named Shivalingappa. In 1824, Shivaling Sarja passed away due to illness, and the reins of the state fell into Rani Chennamma’s hands. She then placed Shivalingappa on the throne. However, Thackeray and the British East India Company refused to recognize Shivalingappa’s adoption, declaring that adopted heirs had no rights. The Company then ordered the removal of Shivalingappa from Kittur. Rani Chennamma did not bow to the British. She strengthened her army and prepared for war against the British. The British forces, comprising 20,797 soldiers, 437 rifles, and the Madras Native Cavalry and Artillery, attacked Kittur. Rani Chennamma bravely confronted them.

In the first battle on October 22, 1824, John Thackeray was killed, and two British officers were captured. The British then sent reinforcements led by Lieutenant Colonel Deacon. Rani Chennamma, along with her valiant warriors like Sangolli Rayanna and Gurusiddappa, fiercely fought the British on the battlefield.

In this battle, Thomas Munro, the Sub-Collector of Solapur, was killed. On December 2nd, with the help of traitors, the British army infiltrated Kittur fort through a secret passage. After a fierce battle, Rani Chennamma was captured. She was imprisoned in the Bailhongal fort. After six years of captivity, the Rani passed away, yearning for a free Kittur.

Rani Chennamma’s loyal lieutenant, Sangolli Rayanna, continued the guerrilla warfare against the British. However, he was eventually captured in 1829 and executed. Three decades later, in 1857, Indian soldiers launched a rebellion against the British. The last descendant of Kittur, Shivalingappa, participated in this uprising. He organized an army and fought valiantly against the British, sacrificing his life in the process. Today, several memorials and statues of Kittur Rani Chennamma exist across Karnataka. The university in Belgaum is named after her—”Rani Chennamma University.”

However, no one remembers the descendants of Rani Chennamma. Eleven families have been identified as the direct descendants of Rani Chennamma. They reside in Kittur, Khanapur, and a place called “Gad Hinglaj” in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. They do not receive any assistance from the government. During Mysore Dasara, the royal family is honored, and members of Tipu Sultan’s family in Kolkata receive invitations, but no one invites the descendants of Kittur Rani.

In 1968, Tatyasaheb Desai, the leader of these families, secured a government promise of ₹11 crores as compensation. However, they claim they have not received a single penny, and have had to seek justice in the courts.

Translated version of Kannada article by Tukaram Shetty

(Courtesy of Taranga Weekly)