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| Rani Abbakka Devi, Queen of Ullal @ WIKIPEDIA |
Introduction
The history
of the freedom struggle in India has lost the names of many heroes with the
passage of time. Among them was Rani Abbakka Devi - the gallant queen of South
India who took the first armed conflict with foreign leaders. During the time
when the Portuguese were conquering the coast of India in the 16 th century,
one woman rose against them and ignited the fire of liberty. Her courageous
personality, her patriotism, her strategy and leadership, is still remembered
as a symbol of the power of the Indian women.
The Birth
and Background Born
Abbakka Devi was born in Ullal, Karnataka in
the Chouta dynasty. This was a matriarchal dynasty i.e. succession to the
kingdom was by women. His mother was a queen of the dynasty and since his early
age Abbakka was taught about politics, war and administration. Since he was a
child, he was clever, robust and nationalistic. The coming of Portuguese and
the start of the war. The Portuguese started to commercially conquer the
western coast of India in the middle of the 16 th century. In their desire to
monopolize the whole Arabian Sea trade they seized the ports of Mangaluru and
Ullal. The chief hindrance, however, to this invasion was But Abbakka Devi, the
queen of Ullal. The queen was never ready to give her kingdom up to the
Portuguese who constantly tried to take over her kingdom in form of treaties,
threats and invasions. He made it clear: it is my country, I will never leave
it. "
The First
War: Ullal with the Portuguese. The first time when the Portuguese attacked
Ullal Queen Abbakka Devi wisely surrendered them. He was the commander of the
local navy and warriors and during the dark night he used to attack and sink
the Portuguese ships in a surprise attack. In the battle, the Portuguese
governor was killed and Ullal was reinstated into independence. It was the
initial rebellion against the Portuguese that was successful in the Indian
coast.
The Second
War and My Father Courage. The Portuguese didn't give up. They then again
assaulted Ullal, with an immense army and fleet. The Queen didn't back down.
His troops were few, but he resorted to the art of guerilla fighting -
ambushes, raids to seize ships during the night, blockade food and ammunition
supplies, etc.
At last, Ullal army under Abbakka Devi
overpowered the Portuguese again. Patriotism and affection towards the
government and the citizens. Queen Abbakka Devi was a ruler and at the same
time, she was a warrior. He adored the religion, culture and language of his
subjects. The country had equal rights of Hindus and Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and
Buddhists. He invented agriculture, trade and maritime trade in the state.
Betrayal
and imprisonment
In their
third expedition, which was more successful, the Portuguese fell into the trap
of being betrayed by some of the very soldiers of the Queen. At last the queen
Abbakka Devi was seized. He had still planned to rebel against the Portuguese
even in captivity. He formed a prison uprising and never gave up his dream of
freedom until death.
Legacy and
honour
The first
Indian woman who is considered to be a freedom fighter is Rani Abbakka Devi.
The Abbakka Award (named after her) is a project of the Government of
Karnataka, awarded to courageous women warriors. Every year, she is celebrated
at the Ullal Utsava. Her name has remained up to date. The struggle of power,
patriotism and freedom of women is unconquerable. "
Conclusion
Queen
Abbakka Devi was also a warrior who overcame Portuguese and demonstrated that
women could also defend the honor of a country. Her life teaches us today... It
is even possible to fight heroically on behalf of the country and the freedom
even under unfavorable conditions.
