Independence Day: Brave Queen Abbakka of Tulu Nadu and her descendants

Rani Abbakka (1525-1570)

The title of India’s first freedom fighter belongs to the Queen Abbakka of Tulu Nadu. She was the first warrior to resist European colonial powers. The first European colonizers to set foot in India were the Portuguese. After Vasco da Gama arrived in India in 1498, other Portuguese leaders like Pedro Álvares Cabral, Francisco de Almeida, and Afonso de Albuquerque conquered the western coast of India, establishing colonies from Kollam in Kerala to the Gujarat River.

From the Zamorin of Calicut to the Sultan of Gujarat, all rulers submitted to the Portuguese. No one could withstand their naval power, except the brave Queen Abbakka of Coastal Karnataka. Rani Abbakka ruled Tulu Nadu from 1525 to 1570. She was a valiant warrior who fought fearlessly against the Portuguese. She inspired future generations of warrior queens, such as Belavadi Mallamma, Kittur Chennamma, and Keladi Chennamma.

At that time, Ullal was a prosperous port city. Spices and textiles were exported from there to Arab nations. Due to its lucrative trade, the Portuguese, Dutch, and British all sought to control Ullal. However, defeating the powerful army of the Chowtas was no easy task.

Rani Abbakka was popular among her people, who referred to her as “Abbakka Mahadevi.” Her bravery and exploits earned her the title “Abhayarani” (Fearless Queen). She was renowned for her military tactics, and all the smaller rulers of the coast looked up to her.

Lopo Vaz de Sampaio was appointed as the Portuguese Viceroy in Mangalore. By 1525, Udupi and Mangalore were under his control, but when he attacked Ullal, he suffered a heavy defeat and fled. After this debacle in 1525, the Portuguese continued to launch attacks on Ullal in 1555, 1567, and 1569, but they were repelled each time.

In 1570, a powerful Portuguese army attacked Ullal again. Due to the treachery of Lakshmappa Arasa, the Portuguese won the battle and stormed the palace. In a fierce fight, the injured Rani Abbakka was captured by the Portuguese. She could have lived as a vassal queen under the Portuguese, but as a warrior of independence, she could not bear a life of servitude. Even in captivity, she did not bow to the Portuguese.

For over four decades, Rani Abbakka ruled her kingdom, defying the mighty Portuguese forces, and ultimately sacrificed her life while fighting against them. To this day, Rani Abbakka is proudly remembered in Coastal Karnataka. However, in independent India, she is largely forgotten. In Indian history and textbooks, the names of North Indian freedom fighters are prominently featured, while the names of many valiant warriors from South India have been sadly erased.

After decades of struggle, the people of Coastal Karnataka finally brought the heroic tale of Rani Abbakka to the nation’s attention. In January 2003, the Government of India issued a special postal stamp in her memory. The Karnataka Historical Academy has urged that “Queen’s Road” in Bengaluru be renamed “Rani Abbakka Devi Road.” After the Portuguese, the British took control of Coastal Karnataka and assigned the title associated with Rani Abbakka to another family. The true heir fought in court for 12 years, and in 1888, the title was finally restored to their name.

In 2016, for the first time, the 29th descendant of Rani Abbakka, Kuldeep, was invited and honored. He remarked, “The title is only symbolic. The past glory of Ullal is no longer associated with it. However, being a descendant of Rani Abbakka is a matter of great pride for us.”

Translated version of Kannada article by Tukaram Shetty

(Courtesy of Taranga Weekly)