As a vivid reader, I have read many stories about the valiant Kings and Valorous Queens of India who fought till their last breath to protect our motherland. Reading such instances always fills Indians with profuse amounts of pride and emotions. The beauty of Bharat has always been impeccable not just in terms of scenery but also social equality. Our country is the homeland to solemn warrior queens, who were the living example to prove if a woman can bestow care, so can she slit the head of anyone who dare put an evil eye towards her people.

Each and every corner of our motherland foretells a tale of valour, love, knowledge, and spirituality. This article will showcase the such an entrancing story of the fearless Queen of India - Rani Abbakka Chowta.

Our stout-hearted queen was the first Tuluva Queen of Ullal (1525-1575) who ruled coastal parts of Karnataka, formerly known as Sulu Nadu. She fought bravely against the Portuguese, being the first Indian ruler to raise her voice against colonialism. She belonged from the Chowta Dynasty, our courageous Queen who tackled them for over four decades and came to be known as the fearless queen. She is celebrated till this date in the state of Karnataka as one of the first and bravest patriots of India. The story of the plummet of colonialism in India is incomplete without paying tribute to Rani Abakka Chowka. Women fighters in India have time and again proved to the whole world that they can destroy the darkness and preserve the harmony on their own. Queen like Rani Abakka Chowta, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Rani Chennamma, and Rani Rudramma are a few examples of such valiant women.

The Chowta Dynasty followed a matrilineal system, a diverse beauty of India, and Abakka was crowned the Queen of Ullal. She was married to Lakshmappa Arasa, the famous king of Mangalur. Unfortunately, their marriage didn't last for a longer period of and Rani Abakka returned back to the throne of Ullal. To avenge the fearless queen, her ex-husband joined the Portuguese to fight the battle against her.

Why Portuguese wanted to capture Tulu Nadu?

Ullul was a very fertile region, as it was situated along the western coastal regions and the port was imminent for a trade of spices and textiles. Rani Abakka poured her heart and soul into the flourishment of Ullal and her people. This incriminating city captured the attention of the Portuguese after they conquered Goa. They wanted this port desperately.

The brave and strategic queen never accepted the malice demands of the Portuguese and they were never able to extract money from her. She continued to trade with the Arabs, even after threats and attacks from the Portuguese on the ships. They took her intelligence and courage for granted and in the year 1556 planned a major attack against our Rani, however, she with all her prowess defeated the trope led by Admiral Don Alvaro de Silveira.

For over four decades, Rani Abakka intensely defeated each and every attack led by the decrepit Portuguese. Rani Abakka and her army were robust and indignant to every move against the Portuguese. In the year 1568, Joao Peixoto managed to enter the grounds of Ullal, Rani Abakka Chowta fierce as always never surrendered. The queen would never let anyone harm her province or people, she assembled her best warriors and on the same night, she killed General Joao Peixoto and around 70 to 80 of his soldiers.

The fearless queen wasn't just strong in the field of battles but also she was extremely cerebral. She allied with Baajipur Sultan, ruler of Ahmed Nagar, and also Zamorin, ruler of Calcutta (presently known as Kolkata) and tactfully killed the Mascarenhas, won back Mafigalür fort earlier captured by these Portuguese. This tremendous act of bravery finally made the Portuguese realise they had no stand against the Rani and they retreated from Mangalore.

But you know there's a saying that life is all about who is behind your back and not in front of you. The fearless queen was betrayed by her ex-husband who revealed most of her strategies to the Portuguese and they defeated the queen. She was held captive immediately. Yet, she was just as resolute as managed to raise a revolt against the foreigners in the jail. The augment Queen lost her life in the fight and Bharat lost her first woman freedom fighter.

Rani Abakka Chowta's charisma and valour can never be forgotten. A woman who is an ideal of righteousness and love. She is the ideal the present generation should look up to, especially girls. As times have passed we may infer that we are progressing, but the reality is we are downgrading. Women during the early centuries were not only respected but also their opinion and courage was revered. Their strength was never looked down upon, and people loved and venerated their queens. Nevertheless, these are the ethereal facts history teaches us about and we as readers, as citizens of a nation like India should maintain the beautiful integrity forever.

Karnataka did not let her essence fade away, she lives in the folk songs, stories, and art form known as Yaksagana till this date. Her bronze statues stand erect in Ullal and Bangalore to pay tribute to her struggles.

And just as mesmerised as everyone I am with her valour, here is a short poem written by me Rani Abakka Chowta's obeisance.

"She lived not to be dominated by the crooked world'
But to crush the miscreant that lived
The queen of waves,
The master of war,
Rani Abakka Chowta,
the woman who can never be conquered."

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