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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{use Indian English|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| title = Rani of Ullal
| image = Ullal Queen Abbakka Devi.jpg
| caption = Life size statue of the [[Chowta]] Queen Abbakka in [[Ullal]]
| reign = 1525 – 1570<ref>{{cite book|title=Hiding in Plain Sight: Women Warriors Throughout Time and Space|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=POpDEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA17|page=17|year=2021|isbn=978-1538162729| last1=Potholm | first1=Christian P. }}</ref>
| predecessor = Tirumala Raya Chowta
| spouse = Banga Lakshmappa Arasa
| royal house = [[Chowta dynasty (Tulu Nadu)|Chowta]]
| religion = Jainism
}}
'''Rani Abbakka Chowta''' was the first [[Tulu people|Tuluva Queen]] of [[Ullal]] who fought the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] in the latter half of the 16th century. She belonged to the [[Chowta dynasty (Tulu Nadu)|Chowta dynasty]] who ruled over parts of coastal Karnataka ([[Tulu Nadu]]), India. Their capital was Puttige.<ref group=Note>There are four places in Karnataka and Kerala whose modern name is [[Puttige (disambiguation)|Puttige]] or similar. None seems to have ever been larger than a village. Another candidate for the place is [[Puttur, Karnataka|Puttur]], a town which is the seat of a modern [[taluk]] (which also includes one of the villages called Puttige). An unsourced statement in the [[:kn:ಪುತ್ತೂರು|corresponding article in Kannada Wiki]] calls Puttur "the capital of a dynasty of kings" ({{lang-kn|ವಂಶದ ಅರಸರ ರಾಜಧಾನಿಯಾಗಿತ್ತು}}).</ref> 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).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=6707 |accessdate=2007-07-25 |title= Queen Abbakka's triumph over western colonisers|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Govt., of India }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boloji.com/history/028.htm |accessdate=2007-07-25 |title=The Intrepid Queen-Rani Abbakka Devi of Ullal |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807132003/http://www.boloji.com/history/028.htm |archivedate=7 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She was also one of the earliest Indians to fight colonialism and is sometimes regarded as the 'first woman freedom fighter of India'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/feb/17tara.htm |accessdate=2007-07-25 |title=Include Tulu in Eighth Schedule: Fernandes|work=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/29664181.cms |accessdate=2007-07-25 |title=Blend past and present to benefit future|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> 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.<ref>[https://ellakavi.wordpress.com/2007/07/12/abbakka-rani-the-unsung-warrior-queen/ Freedom Fighter of the Coast, Rani Abbakka.]</ref>

==Early life==
The [[Chowta]]s followed the system of [[matrilineal]] inheritance ([[Aliyasantana]]) of Digambara [[Jain Bunt]] community by which Tirumala Raya, Abbakka's uncle, crowned her the queen of Ullal. He also forged a matrimonial alliance for Abbakka with Lakshmappa Arasa Bangaraja II, king of [[Banga Arasa|Banga]] principality in [[Mangalore]].<ref name=Prabhu>{{cite book|last1=K. Sanjiva Prabhu|title=Special Study Report on Bhuta Cult in South Kanara District|date=1977|publisher=Controller of Publications, 1977|pages=9–12|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwgaAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=13 March 2015}}</ref> This alliance was to later prove a source of worry for the Portuguese. Tirumala Raya also trained Abbakka in the different aspects of warfare and military strategy. The marriage, however, was short-lived and Abbakka returned to Ullal. Her husband thus longed for revenge against Abbakka and was to later join the Portuguese in their fight against Abbakka.<ref name="biobook">{{cite book |last1=Ponvannan |first1=Gayathri |title=Unstoppable : 75 stories of trailblazing Indian women |date=31 January 2019 |publisher=Hachette Book Publishing India Pvt Ltd |isbn=9789388322003 |pages=272}}</ref>

==Historical background==

After overrunning [[Goa]] and taking control of it, the Portuguese turned their attention southwards and along the coast. They first attacked the [[South Kanara]] coast in 1525 and destroyed the Mangalore port. Ullal was a prosperous port and a hub of the spice trade to Arabia and other countries in the west. Being the profitable trading center that it was, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British vied with one another for control of the region as well as the trade routes. They, however, had not been able to make much headway as the resistance from the local chieftains was very strong. The local rulers even forged alliances cutting across caste and religious lines.<ref name="admiralqueen">{{cite book |last1=Garodia Gupta |first1=Archana |title=The women who ruled India : leaders, warriors, icons |date=Jan 2019 |publisher=[[Hachette Books]] |isbn=9789351951520 |pages=312}}</ref>

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 dam at [[Malali]]; she had appointed [[Beary]]s for boulder work.[11] Her army too consisted of people of all sects and castes. She even forged alliances with the [[Zamorin]] of [[Kozhikode|Calicut]]. Together, they kept the Portuguese at bay. The marital ties with the neighbouring Banga dynasty added further strength to the alliance of the local rulers. She also gained support from powerful king Venkatappanayaka of [[Bidnur]] and ignored the threat of Portuguese forces.<ref name=shintri>{{cite book|last=Sarojini Shintri|first=Kurukundi Raghavendra Rao|title=Women freedom fighters in Karnataka|year=1983|publisher=Prasaranga, Karnatak University|location=Dharwad|pages=13, 14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-05uAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>

==Battles against the Portuguese==
The Portuguese, clearly upset by Abbakka's tactics, demanded that she pay them tribute but Abbakka refused to yield. In 1555, the Portuguese sent Admiral Dom Álvaro da Silveira to fight her after she refused to pay them tribute.<ref name=kudva>{{cite book|last=Kudva|first=Venkataraya Narayan|title=History of the Dakshinatya Saraswats|year=1972|publisher=Samyukta Gowda Saraswata Sabha|location=Madras|pages=107–110|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x0NuAAAAMAAJ&q=ullal}}</ref> In the battle that followed, Rani Abbakka once again managed to hold her own and repulsed the attack successfully.<ref name=ignca>{{cite web |last1=Kumar Mishra |first1=Kailash |title=ABBAKKA RANI : THE UNSUNG WARRIOR QUEEN |url=http://ignca.gov.in/PDF_data/Abbakka_Rani.pdf |publisher=[[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]] |date=Jan 2002}}</ref>

In 1557, the Portuguese plundered [[Mangalore]] and laid waste to it. In 1568, they turned their attention to [[Ullal]] but Abbakka Rani resisted them yet again. João Peixoto, a Portuguese general and a fleet of soldiers were sent by the Portuguese Viceroy António Noronha. They managed to capture the city of Ullal and also entered the royal court. Abbakka Rani, however, escaped and took refuge in a mosque. The same night, she gathered around 200 of her soldiers and mounted an attack on the Portuguese. In the battle that ensued, General Peixoto was killed,<ref name=ignca/> seventy Portuguese soldiers were taken prisoners and many of the Portuguese retreated. In further attacks, Abbakka Rani and her supporters killed Admiral Mascarenhas and forced the Portuguese to vacate the Mangalore fort.<ref name=ignca />

The Portuguese captured Mangalore fort again and [[Kundapur]] (Basrur). Despite these gains, Abbakka Rani continued to remain a source of threat. With the help of the queen's estranged husband, they mounted attacks on Ullal. Furious battles followed, but Abbakka Rani held her own. In 1570, she formed an alliance with the Bijapur Sultan of Ahmed Nagar and the Zamorin of [[Kozhikode|Calicut]], who were also opposing the Portuguese. Kutty Pokar Markar, the Zamorin's general fought on behalf of Abbakka and destroyed the Portuguese fort at Mangalore, but was killed by the Portuguese on his return. Following these losses and her husband's treachery, Abbakka lost the war, was arrested, and went to jail. However, even in prison, she revolted and died fighting.<ref name=ignca />

==Folklore and legend==
According to traditional accounts, she was an immensely popular queen and this is also attested by the fact that she is even today a part of folklore. The queen's story has been retold from generation to generation through folk songs and [[Yakshagana]], a popular folk theatre in [[Coastal Karnataka]].<ref name=ignca/> In Daiva Kola, a local ritual dance, the persona in trance recounts the great deeds of Abbakka Mahadevi. Abbakka is portrayed as dark and good looking, always dressed in simple clothes like a commoner. She is portrayed as a caring queen who worked late into the night dispensing justice. Legends also claim that Abbakka was the last known person to have used the Agnivana (fire-arrow) in her fight against the Portuguese. Some accounts also claim that she had two equally valiant daughters who fought alongside her in her wars against the Portuguese.

==Memory==
Abbakka's memory is much cherished in her home town of [[Ullal]]. The "Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava" is an annual celebration held in her memory. The Veera Rani Abbakka Prashasti award is given to distinguished women on the occasion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/09/stories/2006010914610300.htm |accessdate=2007-07-25 |title= M.P. Prakash calls for revival of local culture |location=Chennai, India |date=2006-01-09| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070809201529/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/09/stories/2006010914610300.htm| archivedate= 9 August 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] | url-status= dead}}</ref> On 15 January 2003, the Indian postal department issued a special cover on Rani Abbakka. There have been calls to name the [[Mangalore|Bajpe]] airport.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/32796607.cms |accessdate=2007-07-25 |title= Name Mangalore airport after Rani Abbakka: Dhananjaya |work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2002-12-30}}</ref> A bronze statue of the queen has been erected in [[Ullal]] and another in [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/27/stories/2007012721710400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024165435/http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/27/stories/2007012721710400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-10-24|accessdate=2007-07-25|work=[[The Hindu]] | title= Highlight freedom fighters' role in books, says Ashok|location=Chennai, India|date=2007-01-27}}</ref> 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 [[Bangalore|state capital]] as 'Rani Abbakka Devi road'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/__e5256852001e3a90.nsf/0/69721135fc4ba8e765256942002e3db2!OpenDocument&Highlight=0,abbakka |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927014830/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/__e5256852001e3a90.nsf/0/69721135fc4ba8e765256942002e3db2%21OpenDocument%26Highlight%3D0%2Cabbakka |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-25 |title=Academy demands awards for historians |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> Actress [[Barkha Sengupta]] portrays Rani Abbakka in Tv series [[Swaraj]] of [[Doordarshan]]

== Rani Abbakka-class patrol vessel ==
The [[Indian Coast Guard]] ship [[Rani Abbakka-class patrol vessel|ICGS Rani Abbakka]], the 1st of a series of five inshore patrol vessels (IPV) built at [[Hindustan Shipyard|Hindustan Shipyard Ltd]] is named after Abbakka Mahadevi was commissioned in [[Visakhapatnam]] on 20 January 2012, and is based in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livefistdefence.com/2012/01/coast-guard-inducts-new-indigenous-ipv.html|title=Coast Guard Inducts New Indigenous IPV Rani Abbakka|newspaper=Livefist|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref><ref name="pib">{{cite news|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=79763|title=1st Inshore Patrol Vessel Commissioned into Coast Guard|last=Ministry of Defence|date=20 January 2012|newspaper=Press Information Burea|accessdate=20 January 2012}}</ref>
== Veer Rani Abakka Festival and Award ==
The festival of "Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava" is celebrated in [[Ullal]] every year in memory of Rani Abakka during which the Veera Rani Abbakka Award is given to distinguished women in recognition of their contributions in various fields.<ref name="DH">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=4 March 2018|title=Veera Rani Abbakka Utsav to be held in Delhi between March 11-18|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/662729/veera-rani-abbakka-utsav-held.html|newspaper=Deccan Herald| access-date= 24 October 2022}}</ref>

The award consists of cash prize and award panels.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Current|first=Affairs|date=2021-12-17|title=Veera Rani Abbakka Award|url=https://alljobs.co.in/currentaffairs/veera-rani-abbakka-award/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-28|website=Current affairs|language=en-US|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211228101701/https://alljobs.co.in/currentaffairs/veera-rani-abbakka-award/ |archive-date = 28 December 2021 }}</ref>

The Abbakka Award 2018-19 was given to Dr. Sandhya Pai, for achievement in the field of literature and to Urmila Ramesh Kumar, for her achievement in various field except literature.

==See also==
* [[Ullal]]
* [[Tulunadu]]
* [[Goa Inquisition]]
* [[Battle of Colachel]]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927121226/http://www.ignca.gov.in/nl001903.htm Abbakka Rani - The unsung warrior queen]
* [http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=6707 Queen Abbakka's triumph over Western colonisers]

==External links==
{{Commons category|Abbakka Chowta}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070806161344/http://www.ourkarnataka.com/Articles/starofmysore/abbakka.htm Pepper queen Abbakka]
* [http://www.boloji.com/history/028.htm Rani Abbakka Devi of Ullal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807132003/http://www.boloji.com/history/028.htm |date=7 August 2007 }}
* [http://www.mea.gov.in/indiaperspective/2004/102004.pdf Abbakka, the warrior queen of Karnataka]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060307184311/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/09/stories/2006010904870400.htm Rani Abbakka has not been given her due]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929124017/http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/jun192006/state2216232006618.asp Brave Abbakka still awaiting her due]
* [http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/itihas/abbakka.htm Historian Dr. Jyotsna Kamat's Article on Abbakka]

{{Jainism Topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chowta, Abbakka}}
[[Category:16th-century women rulers]]
[[Category:16th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:History of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Indian female royalty]]
[[Category:Indian women in war]]
[[Category:Mangaloreans]]
[[Category:People from Dakshina Kannada district]]
[[Category:Tulu people]]
[[Category:Women in 16th-century warfare]]
[[Category:Jain queens]]
[[Category:16th-century Indian women]]
[[Category:16th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:Indian military leaders]]

Abbakka Chowta - Revision history

Bot at 02:47, 24 October 2022