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Revision as of 09:08, 20 July 2007 by Sarvagnya (talk | contribs) (create)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Abbakka Rani or Abbakka Mahadevi was the queen of Tulunadu who ruled from Ullal. She was one the earliest Indian freedom fighters who fought the Portuguese in the 16th century. She had two equally valiant daughters who fought alongside her in her furious wars against the Portugese. Tradition however treats all three - mother and two daughters as the same person. The Portuguese made several attempts to capture Ullal as it was strategically placed. But Abbakka each of their attacks. Though Abbakka was a Jain by faith, her administration was well represented by Hindus and Muslims. Her army too consisted of people of all sects and castes including the Mogaveeras, a fisher folk community.
Early life
According to local legends, Abbakka exhibited precocious talent for military science and warfare even as a child. Her father extended her full encouragement and she got trained in all areas of military science. In course of time she was married to the king of neighbouring Bangher. The marriage, however was short lived and Abbakka returned to Ullal. Her husband thus pined for revenge against Abbakka and was to later join the Portuguese in their fight against Abbakka.
Battles against the Portuguese
The Portuguese first attacked the South Kanara coast in 1525 and destroyed the Mangalore port. Abbakka, alerted of the incident, started preparing to protect the sovereignity of her kingdom. In 1555, the Portuguese sent Admiral Don Alvaro da Silvereira to fight her after she refused to pay them tribute. In the battle that followed, Rani Abbakka once again managed to hold her own and repulsed the attack successfully.
In 1557, the Portuguese plundered Mangalore and laid it waste. In 1568, they turned their attention yet again to Ullal but Abbakka Rani resisted it yet again. Joao Peixoto, a Portuguese general and a fleet of soldiers wer sent by the Portuguese Viceroy Antony Norohna. 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, seventy Portuguese soldiers were taken prisoners and many of the Portuguese retreated. In further attacks, Abbakka Rani and her supporters killed Admiral Mascarenhas and the Portuguese were also forced to vacate the Mangalore fort.
In 1569 however, the Portuguese not only regained the Mangalore fort but also captured Kundapur (Basrur). In spite of these gains, Abbakka Rani continued to remain a source of threat. With the help of the queen's estranged and treacherous husband, they mounted attacks on Ullal. Furious battles followed and Abbakka Rani held fort. In 1570, she formed an alliance with the Bijapur Sultan of Ahmed Nagar and the Zanmorine of Calicut, who where also opposing the Portuguese. Kutty Pokar Markar, the Zamorine's general fought on behalf of Abbakka and destroyed the Portuguese fort at Mangalore but while returning he was killed by the Portuguese. Following these losses and her husband's treachery, Abbakka lost the war, was arrested and jailed. However, even in prison she revolted and died fighting.
Folklore and legend
According to traditional accounts, she was an immensely popular queen and this is 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, the popular folk theatre of Dakshina Kannada. In Bhootaradhane, 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 commonner. 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 the used the Agnivana (fire-arrow) in her fight against the Portuguese.
See also
References
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